National Adult Literacy Database

Ontario is making it easier for post-secondary education graduates to get their start in life by extending the grace period for repaying student loans for those who take their first job post-graduation in the not-for-profit sector.

Northwest Territories recipients of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award and the Ministerial Literacy Awards were honoured during the annual Adult Learners’ Luncheon in Yellowknife.

According to a new UIS study, efforts to halve adult illiteracy rates by 2015, as agreed under the Education for All (EFA) targets, are likely to be met with limited success in many countries. Education systems struggling to accommodate growing populations, maturing illiterate youth, and the marginalization of women and girls will continue to hinder progress. The report focuses on 41 countries in four regions.

ABC Life Literacy Canada is delighted to announce the 2012 Life Literacy Award winners in recognition of outstanding achievement in adult literacy and essential skills through community literacy, workplace education, journalism and corporate excellence.

Government ministers in the Atlantic region responsible for adult literacy are continuing their commitment to that cause. On the occasion of International Literacy Day September 8, they launched a series of posters highlighting literacy champions from the four Atlantic provinces. The posters recognize the importance of strong literacy skills to individuals, communities, economies and societies.

Ofsted’s recent reports Moving English Forward (published in March 2012) and Removing barriers to literacy (January 2011) highlight that too many children and young people are falling behind at the beginning of education and lack the practical skills to successfully make their way in the adult world.

"Literacy is a ladder out of poverty, but the real issue is poverty. Some of our former learners said it seemed as if they were caught in a never-ending cycle. You need school to get a job, but some people can’t afford to come to school. They’re hungry, they can’t concentrate or they have an upset stomach. It’s basically do or die. It’s like you’re thrown into a well with no rope to pull you up."

In celebration of International Literacy Day 2012, Global Literacy Professional Development Network (www.glpdn.net) and IRA’s Global Operations Unit released A Practical Guide to Action Research for Literacy Educators.

Decoda Literacy Solutions is proud to announce the launch of the Adult Literacy Database. This database will capture data about adult literacy programs in British Columbia, and will fulfill a longstanding need for a simple and effective program management tool for adult literacy programs.

"This year, International Literacy Day has a special focus on the fundamental relationship between Literacy and Peace. ... Lasting peace depends on the development of literate citizenship and access to education for all. Amidst political upheaval and escalating violence in many parts of the world, literacy must be a priority in the peace-building agenda of all nations." -- Irina Bokova

"Literacy, if we need to be reminded, is the great enabler that allows individuals to unlock their potential. It’s the basic skill set on which most other capabilities are built. As we celebrate International Literacy Day (proclaimed by UNESCO in 1965) this Saturday, we should also remember that literacy is a fundamental human right."

UNESCO will host an international conference September 26-28, 2012, in Vancouver to explore the main issues affecting the preservation of digital documentary heritage. The goal is to develop strategies that will contribute to greater protection of digital assets and help to define an implementation methodology that is appropriate for developing countries, in particular.

Each month NALD releases Library user statistics in a feature known as the Top 20 downloads. The report examines the number of NALD Library documents which are viewed and downloaded by visitors to the NALD website

International Adult Literacy Day was observed on PEI by Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning Allen Roach. The event kicked off the upcoming promotional campaign that includes a series of posters highlighting literacy champions from Prince Edward Island and recognizing the importance of strong literacy skills to individuals, communities, economies and societies.

The tireless work of Senator Joyce Fairbairn "changed the perception of the importance of literacy as a federal issue, bringing new resources and new status as a national concern. It’s hard to remember that at that time it was a novel idea that the federal government might have a larger role to play in supporting Canadians to meet their literacy skills needs." -- Margaret Eaton, President of ABC Life Literacy Canada