I hope to see you July 23 in Cologne on the International Elinet Symposium. I will be the co-chair Digital Literacy. Please share the press release with your friends and colleagues.
Tot ziens in Keulen op 23 juli op de interessante conferentie van Elinet, waar ik co-chair Digital Literacy mag zijn. Deel deze oproep met je vrienden en collega’s.  

Press Release (download press release in PDF in English or German)
The European Literacy Policy Network Association organizes the second International ELINET Symposium: “Literacy in the 21st Century: Participation – Inclusion – Equity” on 23./24. July at University of Cologne

“Literacy is an essential prerequisite for all kinds of learning and human development. It enables people to live full and meaningful lives, and to contribute towards the enrichment of the communities in which we live. By literacy we mean the ability to read and write at a level whereby individuals can effectively understand and use written communication in all media (print or electronic), including digital literacy. In the knowledge-based societies of the 21st Century, the rapid spread of new technologies and a constantly changing work environment, literacy learning is no longer limited to childhood and adolescence but must be recognised as a lifelong need and requirement. In Europe one in five 15-year-olds and nearly 55 million adults lack basic literacy skills. Not only does this make it difficult for them to find a job, it also increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion, limiting opportunities for cultural and civil participation, lifelong learning and personal growth. The European Commission recognises that there has been little improvement in literacy in the last 15 years. The two day symposium will offer various opportunities to share ideas and perspectives on current and future literacy issues around participation, inclusion and equity.” (From the Call for Proposals)

 Participation is free. Registration until 16th of July 2018.
More information on www.eli-net.eu

ELINET (the “European Literacy Policy Network”) sees itself as a think tank and coordinator of a European literacy policy. The network was founded in February 2014 and financed for two years with three million euros from the European Commission.

Under the coordination of University of Cologne (Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe, Institute for German Language and Literature II), the project brought together 80 partners from 28 European countries involved in literacy projects and research, including: existing literacy networks, associations and organizations (such as UNESCO), education ministries, foundations, non-governmental organizations, research centers and teacher education institutions. A central European Literacy Platform has been set up at www.eli-net.eu , where thirty Literacy Country Reports, over 100 good practice examples and many tools and recommendations for reading and writing promotion, awareness raising and fundraising have been made available. All information is available free of charge.

Following international conferences in Vienna (2014), Budapest (2015) and Amsterdam (2016) as well as the first International Symposium in Madrid (2017), the network is now giving its first glimpse into its work in Germany. During two days, over 80 contributors from 20 countries will present their research and practice projects on “Literacy in the 21st Century: Participation, Inclusion and Equity”. As in the project period, ELINET is also keen to present examples of good practice and relevant educational programs in the field of reading and writing for all age groups; we will pass on international impulses to nationally and regionally active researchers and practitioners. The conference language is English.

The aim of the symposium is to draw attention to the great challenges of the 21st century in securing a basic standard of literacy for all citizens of Europe and to present ways of tackling this challenge. The symposium provides a platform for exchange among educational policy makers, researchers and practitioners on the effective development of European, national and regional literacy programmes.

The opening lectures on both days will focus on Literacy and language learning in multilingual European societies (Kristina Cunningham, EU Commission, Brussels) and on Literacy, citizenship and digital technology – policy perspectives and practices in Europe and beyond (Janice Richardson, International Advisor for Literacy, Luxembourg).

• Thematic sections will be offered to the following topics:
  Language, literacy and professional development in preschool education
• Teaching disciplinary literacy in all subjects – new research and practices
• Digital literacy policies and frameworks
• The gender gap in literacy: How to engage boys?
• Adult literacy programmes. New practices and perspectives
• Instructional methods in early literacy teaching
• Make every teacher a teacher of literacy: New approaches in teacher education and professional development
• Digital literacy and language teaching.

Furthermore, there will be a research poster session and three sections with examples of good practice. In two round table discussions, international experts will discuss the topics “Literacy policies in Europe – examples of successful national programs” and “International literacy assessments – implications for literacy curriculum development and policy“.

Detailed abstracts and biographical information on the speakers can be found on the ELINET website: http://www.eli-net.eu/events/elinet-association-symposium-2018-cologne/ , where you can also download the entire program.

Registration (for catering and network participation) is open until 16 July; there are no participation fees and participation in individual events is possible without registration.

Contact: Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe, Universität zu Köln  Christine.garbe@uni-koeln.de