World Literacy Foundation calls on teachers to speak at 2027 summit

The World Literacy Foundation is calling on teachers, literacy experts and innovators from across the UK to help shape the global conversation on literacy at the World Literacy Summit 2027, as new figures reveal continuing challenges in children’s reading habits.

According to the National Literacy Trust‘s Annual Literacy Survey, daily reading among children and young people in the UK has fallen dramatically over the past decade. More than 40 per cent of children reported reading daily in 2015, but that figure dropped to just 18.7 per cent in 2025, the lowest level recorded in 20 years. While 2026 data shows a modest improvement to 20.3 per cent, literacy advocates warn that the long-term trend remains deeply concerning.

The findings come as the World Literacy Foundation launches a nationwide call for speakers to contribute to the World Literacy Summit, taking place at Oxford University in April 2027.

Andrew Kay, CEO of the World Literacy Foundation, said it is essential that teachers and literacy leaders from the UK are represented at the international event. He commented:

“As a global summit, it is vital that the voice of the United Kingdom is heard.

“Local insights and local solutions deserve a place on the world stage.”

A growing global challenge

While declining reading engagement in the UK has attracted increasing attention, literacy experts stress that the issue forms part of a much wider global challenge.

World Bank data shows that around 70 per cent of 10-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries cannot read and understand a simple sentence, a measure known as “learning poverty”. The World Literacy Foundation argues that addressing this crisis must remain a global priority if countries are to improve educational outcomes and strengthen future economic prosperity.

The scale of the challenge is reflected in a series of sobering statistics:

• Around 773 million people worldwide lack basic literacy skills, while a further 2 billion people struggle to read a simple sentence
• Universal basic literacy could generate up to $6.5 trillion in additional global GDP annually, according to education experts
• Current levels of learning poverty could result in today’s students losing a combined $21 trillion in lifetime earnings
• In the UK, reading enjoyment among children and young people fell from 58.6 per cent in 2016 to a 20-year low of 32.7 per cent in 2025, before recovering slightly to 36.1 per cent in 2026
• The literacy and publishing sectors are increasingly debating whether society may be entering what some commentators describe as a “post-literate age”, driven by changing patterns of media consumption and digital engagement

Andrew Kay believes the implications extend far beyond education. He said:

“This is a rapidly escalating crisis with serious consequences for workforce readiness, economic productivity and the wellbeing of future generations.”

Sharing solutions at World Literacy Summit 2027

The World Literacy Summit brings together academics, policymakers, literacy practitioners, education technology innovators and non-governmental organisations from around the world to share research, evidence and practical approaches that are improving literacy outcomes.

The 2027 programme will explore a range of emerging and pressing themes, including:

• AI-powered tools for early reading development
• New global literacy research and evidence
• Early childhood literacy interventions
• Effective literacy programmes from around the world
• Innovative approaches to improving reading engagement

The foundation is encouraging submissions from speakers across the United Kingdom who can contribute expertise, research findings, case studies or innovative practice.

Opportunities include keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshop sessions.

How to apply

Applications to speak at the World Literacy Summit 2027 are open now via worldliteracysummit.org, with submissions closing on 30 August 2026.

For UK teachers, school leaders, researchers and literacy advocates, the summit offers an opportunity to showcase local solutions to a global challenge and contribute to shaping the future of literacy worldwide.