UNESCO has reported that International Literacy Day, which will be celebrated on September 8, highlights the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies globally, affirming the centrality of literacy within all struggles for sustainable human development. UNESCO has also noted that the event provides the opportunity to send a message of hope and encouragement to the estimated 862 million adults, of whom approximately two-thirds are women, whose illiteracy currently excludes them from full participation in society. This year, UNESCO, is drawing particular attention to the forthcoming United Nations Literacy Decade, which will be launched at the beginning of 2003. According a media release, nations across the world have given their collective support for the initiative, which will provide an international framework for mobilising efforts to spread the benefits of literacy as far as possible. In preparing for the goals of the next decade, UNESCO has noted that it must draw upon the lessons of past experiences. They have recognised that, in terms of literacy education one size does not fit all, noting that instead of standardised programs, more customised approaches are needed. In the current world, they note, it is increasingly recognised that there are multiple 'literacies' which are diverse, have many dimensions and are learned in different ways. In all cases, however, each kind of literacy must lead to sustainable and meaningful use –UNECO highlights that this must be the goal for the forthcoming Literacy Decade.