The United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2001. According to UNESCO, the Decade aims to support the goal of achieving education for all by addressing the more than 774 million adults and 72 million out-of-school children in this world who are still deprived of literacy and of access to literacy learning activities. The Decade, from 2003-2012, is based on the broad notion of literacy as the foundation for lifelong learning. UNESCO, as lead agency for UNLD, asked its Member States, including Canada, to report on progress achieved in implementing literacy programs and plans of action.

The first report, United Nations Literacy Decade 2003-2012: Progress Report for Canada 2004-2006, has been prepared by CMEC, with the support of Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The report looks at policy, programs, capacity building, research, community participation, and monitoring and evaluation. The work of the provincial and territorial governments, the Government of Canada, educational, community, and voluntary stakeholders in children's, youth, family, adult, and workplace literacy is detailed.