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National Literacy Working Group Report 2010 Download Here National Literacy Working Group Report Highlights, December 2009 Download Here Health Literacy in Canada: A Healthy Understanding by Canadian Council on Learning, T. Scott Murray et al. (2008) (PDF)Download Here
To view the full interactive map Click Here Canadian Council on Learning releases report on e-learning May 2009 National Literacy Working Group Report CMEC Launches Literacy Forum Legacy April 15, 2009 – A new, innovative resource aimed at improving literacy levels in Canada was released today by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). The legacy of knowledge and materials gathered from last year’s Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum provides on-line learning and teaching resources that will benefit educators, learners, literacy providers, and people across Canada, now and in the future.
National Literacy Working Group Report It is with great pleasure that I represent the CUPE members of Prince Edward Island on the National Literacy Working Group (LWG). The Literacy Working Group met in Ottawa twice this past year in December 2007 and April 2008. A report of the December meeting is posted on the CUPE PEI website at www.cupepei.ca under the “National Committee“ tab on the home page. In April I attended a one day All Committee Meeting, followed by one and a half days of LWG meetings. Both were very productive, informative and interesting. At the All Committee meeting Brother Paul Moist, National President welcomed and congratulated the over 200 committee members that were selected and thanked all the Staff advisors to the committees. He explained that the role of the committees was advisory, shaping policy. Their work should cross over amongst different committees, and stressed the importance of applying an equity lens to all their work. Brother Genereux, National Secretary Treasurer spoke and challenged the members saying, “We can change things. How can we set the course to really progress and keep on changing things…not only for ourselves but for our communities?” Committee members in small groups were asked to reflect on one burning question related to committee work. Each committee group was then asked to identify one or two projects/ issues to collaborate with a committee or committees. The LWG decided to choose Clear Language as the project they could help committees with. Committees were then asked to organize themselves so that they could talk to each committee and find out how they could help them. The Keynote Speaker, Glen Murray from the Canadian Urban Institute was very interesting and dynamic. He was the first labour endorsed mayor elected in Winnipeg. He praised CUPE’s “great capacity to innovate”. He stated that “CUPE puts the wheels under marginalized communities and helps them achieve their dreams.” His final advice to CUPE members was, “Look all around you and do all you can do to change the world, never give up, and never look for a cheap tax break!” A World Café was organized where members talked in small groups and discussed the following two questions: What could National Committees do to advance CUPE’s Strategic Directions, and What could National Committees do to contribute to the Fight Against Privatization and Contracting Out? Members rotated from table to table and finally a wall of possible actions was created out of very lively and productive table discussions. The next one and a half days I attended the Literacy Working Group meeting. The group’s members provided feedback from the previous day’s discussions. Most of the committees that our group spoke with could benefit, and expressed interest in applying a Clear Language lens to all the work they do. The LWG identified the Political Action Committee and the Contracting Out and Privatization Committees as possible key committees to collaborate and follow up with in the future. The LWG is working on, and has completed a number of these priority items:
Committee members looked at the new Bargaining Handbook that is being developed. They provide feedback on what should be in it, and how will it be used. As well, the Committee looked at the Advocates Kit and discussed what are the best and most useful pieces in it, and what pieces could be added or removed. Other discussions centered around the question: What are some new tools that would be useful in our advocacy role? I was please to attend the Pan Canadian Literacy Forum this April in Saint John. This two day event was organized by the Councils of Ministers of Education. Its theme was “Literacy: Passport to Prosperity.” This unique Forum happened in 10 different locations simultaneously all across Canada. The federal government is giving money to the provinces in the form of Labour Market Agreements. Four provinces have currently signed agreements. PEI has not. The provinces would then be responsible for Literacy. CUPE LWG members from across Canada, along with three members from the National Aboriginal Council attended. It was very important that CUPE had a labour presence at this forum in different locations. All across Canada CUPE’s position was clear:
Here on PEI I have continued to build awareness and advancing CUPE’s Literacy work, advocating for the Clear Language and Workplace Education Programs in the following ways:
CUPE has a long tradition of creating learning opportunities for its members and their families. Through Workplace Literacy Programs members become informed, effective participants and leaders. They gain workplace skills, knowledge, and abilities in an ever-changing world. Members become engaged in in collective struggles to not only improve their lives, but the lives of their families and communities. Their jobs may improve. I am proud to be part of the labour movement to build the union by promoting, and raising awareness of Literacy and Clear Language Programs. I am proud to be part of the LWG’s work to make inclusion a reality for all members! Respectfully submitted, Karyn Noble National Literacy Working Group member
"Literacy and Clear Language - It's all about inclusion!!!" Please click here to download report. Literacy Working Group Members
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