September 8, 2026—International Internship University (IIU), in collaboration with World Education Policy (WEP), marked International Literacy Day 2026 with the Literacy Leadership Forum, bringing together educators, diplomats, humanitarians, writers and education leaders from across the world.
Under the message “Literacy Opens the World: Access • Agency • Opportunity,” the forum moved beyond celebrating literacy to confronting what remains unfinished: millions of people still lack the educational access and literacy skills necessary to participate fully in society.
A major milestone of the event was the official launch of WEP Global Advancement—a platform designed to connect global expertise, local realities and collective action to advance access to quality education.
The world does not need more bystanders. It needs a global force for advancement.
Global Voices
The forum featured Dr. Ophadile T. Gofhamodimo, Host (Botswana 🇧🇼); Prof. (Dr.) Charles U. Ebhoria (Nigeria 🇳🇬); Dr. Nisrine Hannah Khalil (Lebanon 🇱🇧); Amb. Dr. Mehreen Mia (South Africa 🇿🇦); H.E. Amb. Jeannette Matta (USA 🇺🇸 / Puerto Rico 🇵🇷); Dr. Diana Richardson; H.E. Amb. Dr. Srividhya Sukumar (UAE 🇦🇪); Dr. Ma. Elizabeth Islas León (Mexico 🇲🇽); Maha Shaddeh (Lebanon 🇱🇧); Teo Akinola (Romania 🇷🇴); Nausheen Noormamode (Mauritius 🇲🇺); Dr. Oliver Ramaabuya (Botswana 🇧🇼); Marcela Barrientos (Argentina 🇦🇷); Amb. Dr. Shainul Bhanji (Tanzania 🇹🇿); and Hawraa Ghandour (Lebanon 🇱🇧).
Special recognition was given to Dr. Ophadile T. Gofhamodimo, who successfully hosted her first international conference, demonstrating the very leadership IIU and WEP seek to cultivate globally.
The forum also recognized Adv. Peeyush Pandit, Founder of WEP and IIU, for his vision in creating platforms that bring education, literacy and opportunity across borders.
“Literacy changes what people can access—and access changes what becomes possible.”
— Dr. Virginia Rivera, President, WEP | CEO, IIU
International Literacy Day may last one day. The work cannot.
LITERACY OPENS THE WORLD.
Access • Agency • Opportunity
IIU × World Education Policy
From Conversation to Global Advancement.
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