International Day of Literacy 2020 focus on Literacy teaching and learning in COVD19 and beyond. The role of educators is vital. This year we look at lifelong learning looking at youths and adults. COVID19 has shown the existing gap between policy and reality – a gap existed and became more evident during the pandemic. It can negatively impact the learning of youth and young adults who have low or no literacy skills so are already facing multiple disadvantages. In many countries, sadly, adult literacy programmes were missing from COVID education response plans. They either never existed or were suspended. International Literacy Day 2020 provides an opportunity to reflect and discuss innovative ad effective pledges and methodologies for youth and adult literacy programmes.