Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) is the national coalition advancing literacy and essential skills across Canada. MCL, a non-profit charitable organization, represents literacy coalitions, organizations and individuals in every province and territory in Canada. We share knowledge, engage partners and stakeholders and build awareness to advance literacy and learning across Canada. We believe that literacy and learning should be valued – at home, in the workplace and in the community. Funded by—and working in consultation with—Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, we provide leadership, knowledge and expertise about literacy and essential skills, while developing partnerships with stakeholders across Canada.
MCL has adopted the definition of literacy put forward by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Literacy is:
“the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed and written materials associated with varying contexts. Literacy involves a continuum of learning to enable an individual to achieve his or her goals, to develop his or her knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in the wider society.”
Among our core principles is the belief that individuals need literacy and essential skills to participate fully in social, cultural, economic and political life. We envision a Canada where literacy is a right, where life-long learning is valued, and where there are no barriers to learning. We are committed to working collaboratively with a wide range of partners and stakeholders and in being proactive in public policy development. We are of the opinion that literacy has broad social and economic implications on policy development across government departments, private and public stakeholders and partners. Further, we believe that a horizontal governance approach to the question of literacy is a model for success. We draw links between literacy and many public policy issues such as health, poverty, citizenship, justice, the Canadian work-force and Aboriginal success.
September 8th is International Literacy Day (ILD). Take a few minutes and help us mark ILD by checking out the following polls.
November 7, 2010
The Adult Learning Network (ALN) is pleased to announce its up-coming Lifelong Learning Forum that will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2010, at the Marriott Hotel in Ottawa. You are invited to participate in plenary sessions to discuss the strategy to implement a Canadian Lifelong Learning Network. The Forum will also host workshops dedicated to the topic of the analysis of a culture of lifelong learning. The goal of the Forum is to provide a venue where Anglophone, Francophone and Aboriginal learning communities will join to share promising practices, discuss new research and be informed of the results of UNESCO’s CONFINTEA VI. The idea of an Adult Learners Charter for Canada, as well as suggestions for activities related to Adult Learner's Week 2011 will be included.
The event will precede the Canadian Association for Prior Learning Assessment (CAPLA) Recognizing Learning conference held November 7-9, 2010 at the same location.
Check the Adult Learning Network (ALN) website for more information. http://www.aln-raa.ca/.
In the late 1990s, in order to support and build on the adult literacy policy and infrastructure development happening across the country, MCL brought the leaders of the provincial and territorial literacy coalitions together to share information, develop knowledge and skills, and work together around shared concerns. Linda brought enormous knowledge and insight to this roundtable of coalition leaders, and was an important mentor for those who were new to the job or whose organizations were new.
To read more about Linda’s contribution to MCL and the field in general, click here.
WESCan (Workforce Essential Skills across Canada) is an Office of Literacy and Essential Skills funded project that has PTP working closely with communities across Canada to build meaningful programming for low-skilled individuals. This project uses the CAMERA System as its foundation, combined with the knowledge gained through years of research and analysis on effective ways to transition low-skilled adults to work. MCL sits on the advisory committee for this project.
Click here to learn more about the project.
In response to the Federal Budget in March of this year, the Industry Minister has launched a digital economy strategy consultation process. Stating that all Canadians have a role to play in shaping our digital future, the Minister extended an invitation to all Canadians to bring forward their ideas and perspectives. To bridge the digital divide, MCL calls for affordable and accessible broadband access, increased level of support for basic literacy and programs and services, expanded digital technology training opportunities and strategic partnerships. To participate in the consultation process, register at http://de-en.gc.ca/home/.
Get the latest literacy news, highlights and events from across the country!
• The National Adult Literacy Database Headline News
• The Federal Government's Essential Skills website
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in collaboration with Movement for Canadian Literacy
