Netherlands observes Week of Reading and Writing to support literacy

The Week of Reading and Writing is taking place in the Netherlands from September 8 to September 15 to raise awareness about literacy and numeracy challenges. Approximately three million people in the country, aged 16 to 75, struggle with basic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, and digital literacy.

Various local organizations are participating in the initiative. In Marum, the Taalhuis is hosting a workshop titled “Wat is jouw verhaal” (What is your story) on September 9, focusing on interpreting texts both literally and figuratively to encourage discussion.

In Deurne, the local broadcaster DMG is participating for the second year. DMG aims to support an inclusive community by providing news in accessible language, specifically utilizing the B1 language level to avoid overly complex vocabulary. This approach targets individuals who rely on local radio to stay informed about their surroundings but may struggle with written or complex digital information.