Successful European Literacy Conference in Amsterdam
28 January 2016
From 20 to 22 January 2016, the ELINET, European Literacy Conference 2016 took place in Amsterdam with international experts from different fields of literacy.
For three days, partners from over thirty European countries discussed the results of the two-year project during workshops, sessions and networking opportunities.
ELINET, has over the past two years examined both the state of illiteracy and the causes. Collected methods, examples of good practice, fact sheets and well-stocked toolboxes have been developed and among the deliverables, allowing everyone in Europe to get to work to increase awareness about low literacy across Europe.
The Literacy Conference served both ELINET Partners and other interested people and offered access to new research and good practices in all areas of literacy.
EBLIDA was the only European library organisation involved in the project together with the Libraries Development’s section of Dublin’s Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) from Ireland, explained how libraries can be used as a primary channel through which to improve literacy skills among those with literacy challenges during a workshop entitled “The Library E-pack”.
EBLIDA Director, Vincent Bonnet, presented the “Library E-pack” to the gathering for the workshop, explaining that it is an information pack compiled by EBLIDA and LGMA Ireland and it will be disseminated to library network contacts after the project.
It contains information about the ELINET project of relevance to libraries along with useful material and references based on the work of ELINET teams.
After the presentation, participants gave examples of awareness raising activities in their respective countries, with some especially inspiring examples including that of the UK, where celebrity football players were asked to become involved in activities to motivate young boys especially, to read for pleasure. This was a highly successful campaign in the UK where direct positive results were seen.
The audience then began a discussion about libraries in general, exchanging ideas and discussing the effects of cutbacks, the idea of the virtual library and reduced hours in libraries.
The workshop ended with a group photo.
Links:
Speeches
A Marketplace for Literacy by H.R.H. Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
The Privilege of Orality by Abdelkader Benali, author
Presentations
CONFERENCE OPENING PRESENTATION by Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe
The Declaration of European Citizens' Right to Literacy by Prof. Dr. Renate Valtin
The Framework of Good Practice in Raising Literacy Levels by Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe
Workshop material
We've gathered a selection of workshop presentations and material for those who coudn't be in two places at once. Browse different topics below and click to download.
ELINET Position Paper on Digital Literacy - Digital Literacy workshops
A short film that shows the achievements of ELINET
The conference was organised by ELINET members Stichting Lezen, Stichting Lezen & Schrijven, and the University of Cologne.
Hashtag: #litcon2016
