This document is a compilation of a variety of documents that were prepared to summarize and document the Policy Conversation on Workplace and Work Force Literacy that was held in Canada to give concerned individuals an opportunity to share their hopes, concerns, dreams, and visions about key issues in workplace literacy. The following documents…

This booklet presents an overview of the growing demands for adult education, as well as other social services, because education is seen to play a vital role in enabling the growing population of older people to remain independent and lead more fulfilling lives. It reports on the following issues: the educational needs and demands of older…

This collection contains the texts of four draft papers and four responses that were presented at a symposium on defining literacy. The following papers are included: "Definitions of Literacy" (Richard L. Venezky); "Definitions of Literacy: Responses" (Reynaldo F. Macias); "Literacy for What Purpose?" (Larry…

The booklet reports on a new vision of the economics of adult learning. The vision considers adult learning to be not an expense but an investment that can be analyzed and managed as such. According to the booklet, governments in many countries, therefore, are adopting a steering role and are giving more direct responsibilities to institutions at…

A Unesco-sponsored conference on literacy was convened to establish a working definition for functional literacy relevant to the Caribbean; to develop strategies aimed at eradicating illiteracy by the year 2000 or achieving a substantial reduction in illiteracy; to assess skills for the production of materials for adult literacy; to develop…

This booklet examines adult education needs and opportunities for incarcerated persons from the perspective of experts and former inmates. The booklet considers adult learning a basic human right and a crucial step towards the reintegration and the rehabilitation of prisoners and that there is a great demand for learning in correctional…

The focus of this conference workplace literacy in the South is the need for cooperation and collaboration among policy-makers, business and industry, labor, and education providers. The document contains nine presentations: "What Frito-Lay Has Done in Workplace Literacy" (Mossberg); "The Need for a Literate Workforce in the…

Research conducted in Kenya had two purposes: to describe the literacy program and literacy learners and to determine the literacy skill levels of participants and to what use they are putting those skills. Researchers collected data from 5 districts in Kenya, including information about the characteristics and functioning of the literacy centers,…

Research conducted in Tanzania had two purposes: to describe the literacy program and literacy learners and to determine the literacy skill levels of participants and to what use they are putting those skills. Researchers spent a month in each of four villages gaining information about the socioeconomic system, communication, development, the role…

At a UNESCO meeting of representatives of international nongovernmental workers and cooperative organizations, the delegates laid particular emphasis on the correlation between political, economic, and social problems on the one hand, and educational, cultural, and training activities on the other. The participants especially stressed the need for…

As part of the "National 'What Works' Evaluation for Adult ESL Students," a meeting of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) literacy experts and stakeholders was convened (May 10, 1996) to examine what theory and practice have to say about how ESL students acquire literacy skills, prevalent instructional approaches and methods, assessment issues to…

This document contains a synthesis of the debate on the significant developments since 1986 and on the future agenda for literacy education, held at a seminar attended by 40 participants from 21 countries. The synthesis summarizes workshops on models of literacy practice, national policies, development of partnerships, evaluation, and research,…

The booklet reports a shift of emphasis in international cooperation from assistance to partnership, participation, networking, and mutuality. Workshop participants stressed that these concepts, which are central to adult learning, need to be taken all the more seriously at a time of increasing economic globalization and accelerating development…

This booklet provides an overview of the growing demands for adult education as well as other social services in helping migrant workers move out of poverty and succeed in cultures other than their own. Issues raised included questions about migrants' access to education and about building solidarity networks for ensuring basic human rights. A…

This report of the Paris conference of the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) consists of edited versions of all the written reports of the various sessions of the conference, together with a general introduction and other supporting material. The eight chapters of the report contain 31 speeches, policy group working reports,…