A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings from Thompson, Manitoba. By the time this is printed, all the leaves will have fallen and the ground will be blanketed in snow.

As the Canadian landscape changes with the passing seasons, the nature of the literacy landscape changes too. It has been ten years since the landmark 1987 Southam Report drew attention to the fact that one in four Canadians were functionally illiterate.

Since then, the "Literacy Skills Used in Daily Activities" and then the "International Adult Literacy Survey" have broadened the definition of literacy, showing us that literacy requirements are a moving target. As technology changes the world we live in, the threshold for skills needed to cope with everyday reading and writing demands moves further out of reach - too far out of reach for almost half of the adults in Canada. This is an alarming picture, especially in a country as privileged as Canada. Literacy has been linked to the economic success of individuals and of Canada as a nation. There are links to health, poverty, justice, youth, employment and training to name a few. Literacy skills are now widely recognized as fundamental to full participation in society in ways we couldn't have imagined a decade ago.

Laubach Literacy of Canada has evolved to meet the changing needs of literacy students. Over the years I have seen Laubach training develop from being delivered primarily through Basic Literacy Tutor workshops to include a mixture of responsive approaches to the changing literacy landscape. Family Literacy, Peer Youth Tutor Clubs, Summer Reading for Fun and Creating a Learning Culture in the Home are just a few examples of projects that have been embraced at the grass roots level as practical solutions to the literacy challenges. In all, EACH ONE TEACH ONE community-based tutoring is still the cornerstone of Laubach success.

Although much has changed, some realities remain the same. Much of our Laubach work is done by individuals in small and remote. Some of you have shared feelings of isolation in the face of such a widespread problem as illiteracy. I, too, have thesefeelings in a sense of so much work to be done. My message to you is keep up the hard work. I'll Consider the words of Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

Your national Board will be meeting in Toronto in November. Some of the work at our table includes: addressing our communications efforts, efficient management and looking at the "big picture" to position Laubach for the next century. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated. You can call the Development Office, toll free, at 1-888-248-2898, email <laubach@acces-cible.net> or directly to me at: <gamey@brandonu.ca> (I love getting email.)

On a final but important note, I extend congratulations on behalf of all Laubach members to Senator Joyce Fairbairn on her appointment as Special Advisor for Literacy. The appointment was announced on International Literacy Day, September 8, 1997. Her many contributions to the literacy movement in Canada are significant and invaluable.

As my last opportunity to reach into the hands of so many Laubach friends before the holidays are upon us...best wishes for health and happiness in 1998.