WORLD LITERACY SUMMIT 2027
MAR 31ST–APRIL 3RD, 2027
OXFORD UNIVERSITY
World Literacy Summit 2027
Literacy in a Connected World
The World Literacy Summit is the largest gathering of global literacy professionals in the world. In 2027, more than 85 countries will be represented at Oxford University from March 31 to April 3, under the theme Literacy in a Connected World.
Keynote speakers from leading research institutions, governments, and global education bodies
85+ countries represented across four days of sessions, panels, and working groups at Oxford University
The Oxford Declaration the field's framework for coordinated global action, produced at every Summit since 2012
From the World Literacy Foundation
Where the world
comes to solve
the literacy crisis.
Oxford University.
March 31 -
April 3, 2027.
The World Literacy Summit brings researchers, policymakers, and educators from more than 85 countries to Oxford University with a single goal: accelerating the end of global illiteracy.
Every session is designed around one question: what does it take to give every person on earth the ability to read? The answers are different in Lagos than they are in London, and that's exactly why this gathering matters.
Since 2012, the Summit has produced the Oxford Declaration, a concrete framework for global coordination that delegates carry back to governments, schools, and communities worldwide.
The researchers, educators, and policymakers who can close the literacy gap are here.
Andrew kay
CEO & Founder, World Literacy Foundation
About the event
The world's largest gathering of international literacy specialists.
Representatives from 85+ countries. Researchers, policymakers, educators, NGO leaders, government ministers, and learners themselves, all in the same place, working through the same question.
The 2027 Summit exists because those numbers do not move without the people who can move them occupying the same room. The theme, Literacy in a Connected World, reflects exactly where the crisis now stands: every system people depend on for daily life has been redesigned around the assumption that they can read.
Since its founding at Oxford in 2012, the Summit has produced the Oxford Declaration, a concrete framework for global coordination that delegates carry back to governments, schools, and communities worldwide. The Opening Ceremony brings together Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and Ministers of Education. The World Literacy Awards recognise the individuals, organisations, and countries making measurable progress.
300+ speakers from leading research institutions, governments, education companies, publishers, and NGOs across 85+ countries
120+ presentations, panels, and workshops across five dedicated tracks, from digital literacy and AI in education to family engagement and literacy in crisis zones
The Oxford Declaration the field's framework for coordinated global action, produced at every Summit since 2012
WORLD LITERACY AWARDS 2027
World Literacy Awards 2027
Each year, the World Literacy Foundation recognises individuals and organisations whose work advances literacy around the world. Finalists are selected by the World Literacy Council and honoured at the World Literacy Summit, with winners announced at the gala on April 2, 2027.
The world's literacy leaders meet at Oxford. March 31 to April 3, 2027.
TOPICS
Topic Areas
Adult Literacy
Early Childhood and Primary Literacy
Leadership in Literacy
AI, Technology and Innovation in Literacy
Indigenous, Mother Tongue and Multilingual Literacy
Urban vs. Rural Literacy
Functional Literacy
Expanding Definitions of Literacy (Digital, Health, Financial, Media and Multimodal)
Research, Evaluation and Social Impact
Assessment and Data-Driven Instruction
Girls' Education
Funding and Sustainable Development
Literacy in Crisis and Displacement
Family and Community Engagement
Literacy Campaigns and Programmes
Youth-Led Initiatives
Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia
Culturally Responsive Teaching and Social-Emotional Learning
SCHEDULE
SUMMIT AGENDA
A structured day of talks, discussions, and real-world insights — designed to balance inspiration, learning, and meaningful conversations.
08:00
13:00
Registration & Badge Pick Up
Exploring the transition from chatbots to autonomous agentic systems that think and act independently.
13:00
17:00
Oxford Free Walking Tours
A deep dive into orchestration layers for scaling AI agents across complex enterprise environments.
18:00
19:00
Networking Event & Social Drinks
An evening of high-bandwidth networking in the heart of San Francisco’s AI district.
08:00
Opening Ceremony, Sheldonian Theatre
A look at the humanoid race and the engineering challenges of bringing AI into the physical world.
9:00
Main Conference
Witnessing live training of robotic actuators in high-fidelity simulations before deploying.
20:00
Literacy Awards and Dinner
Understanding the hardware constraints of the next generation of industrial and consumer robotics.
07:00
Full Day Programme, Examination School
How modular software is revolutionizing orbital infrastructure and satellite communication.
08:00
17:00
Full Day Programme, Examination School
How modular software is revolutionizing orbital infrastructure and satellite communication.
Partners & Support
Partners, sponsors, and organisers
The World Literacy Summit brings together experts, policymakers, and practitioners from 85+ countries to Oxford each year to work on one of the most consequential challenges in global development. Sponsoring the Summit connects your organisation to that work and to the people driving it, while putting your brand in front of a global audience that takes literacy seriously.
To explore partnership opportunities, download our partnership guide or contact us at partnerships@worldliteracysummit.org
Organising Partners and Founders
The team shaping the event format, curating the programme, and setting the direction of discussions.
Corporate partners who sponsor the World Literacy Summit gain direct access to a global audience of literacy leaders, educators, policymakers, and researchers from 85+ countries. Presenting Sponsors host the Awards Luncheon and fund four conference scholarships. Partnership-level sponsors host the Welcome Dinner, one of the most attended events of the Summit week.
Exhibition space runs April 1 and 2 inside the main conference wing, with consistent foot traffic throughout both days.
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact us at info@worldliteracysummit.org
Tickets & Access
Registration will open on October 1st.
Attendance is open to literacy educators, researchers, policymakers, NGO leaders, publishers, and education organisations worldwide. Register early, delegates from 85+ countries attend, and spaces are limited.
Register Now
Where the world comes to solve the literacy crisis.
739 million adults cannot read. The researchers, policymakers, and educators who can change that are gathering at Oxford University, March 31 to April 3, 2027.
4 days
300 speakers
85+ COUNTRIES
Literacy in a Connected World
120+ Sessions
Oxford Declaration
FAQ & support
Frequently asked questions
Get answers to the most common questions about tickets, formats, and participation.
Got specific questions? Contact us.
General
01
What are the dates of the World Literacy Summit 2027?
The Summit takes place March 31 to April 3, 2027.
02
Where is it held?
Oxford University, United Kingdom.
03
Who should attend?
The Summit is open to anyone working in or around literacy, including NGO leaders, government representatives, researchers, academics, teachers, school administrators, librarians, literacy coaches, education companies, reading specialists, and university faculty. Learners themselves are equally welcome.
04
I've never attended before. What should I expect?
Four days of sessions, conversations, and collaboration with literacy and education leaders from 85+ countries. Delegates come to share research, compare approaches, and leave with ideas and connections they can actually use.
Registration
05
What is the refund policy?
Refunds are available only if a visa application is denied by the British Government. If you are unable to attend for any other reason, contact us to discuss a registration transfer.
06
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
Yes. Contact us and we'll help arrange it.
Schedule & Programming
07
When will the Summit programme be available?
The full schedule will be released in November 2026.
Networking & The Summit App
08
How do I connect with other delegates?
During the event, all registered delegates receive access to the Summit app, where you can browse the delegate list, message attendees, access presentations, build your personal schedule, and navigate Oxford.
Sponsorship & Exhibitions
09
How do I explore sponsorship opportunities?
Download our partnership guide or contact us at [info@worldliteracyfoundation.org] to discuss options.
10
Where is the exhibition space and when does it run?
Exhibition space is located inside the main conference wing and runs April 1 and 2, with consistent foot traffic across both days.
Contact us
Let's start a
conversation
Whether you're registering a delegation, exploring partnership opportunities, or have questions about the Summit, the team is here to help.
General Inquiries
Sponsorships
Interested in partnering with the Summit?
SUBSCRIBE
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