About Us
The Centre for Literacy of Quebec is a Montreal-based
centre of expertise that
supports
best practices and informed policy development in literacy, by creating
bridges between research, policy and practice. It is guided by a board drawn from a range of constituencies served
by The Centre.
Vision
A society where lifelong learning opportunities and community supports
enable all individuals to be included and to participate fully in
their communities.
Mission
To improve literacy outcomes by advancing the integration of literacy
policy and practice.
Means
We draw on our broad understanding of the literacy field and an
extensive network of local, national and international partners to
ensure that knowledge and expertise are accessible and shared. We
facilitate this sharing and access in the following ways:
The
Learning
Forum
Each year The Centre for Literacy hosts a variety of learning events on
topics of relevance to the field of adult literacy and basic education.
The largest of these is our annual Summer Institute which focuses on
current trends and issues and draws participants from around the world.
Other events – workshops, lectures, symposia - are built around
the needs of community partners, in response to specific requests for
training or information.
Library
The Centre for Literacy is home to one of Canada’s largest and
most comprehensive special collections on literacy and related topics.
This collection includes a broad selection of: teaching and learning
materials; high-interest, low-level readers; research; policy
information; and educational journals from around the world.
Action Research Projects
The Centre for Literacy enjoys close ties with organizations in a
number of sectors, and welcomes every opportunity to work with others
to coordinate events, projects, research and programs that promote
literacy and learning in the community. We favour sustainable
initiatives that
provide true opportunities for capacity-building among different
segments of the community. One such initiative is the
Health Literacy Project, undertaken by The Centre for Literacy in
partnership with the McGill University Health Centre
(MUHC).
Publications
The Centre for Literacy produces a unique body of publications for
literacy practitioners, researchers, policy-makers, and interested
members of the community. These include the quarterly News from the Centre,
occasional Working Papers
on Literacy, and a variety of Annotated
Bibliographies on topics such as technology, learning
disabilities, and numeracy.
Historical Highlights
| 1984 |
Literacy Across the Curriculum, a faculty
development project, is established at Dawson College on the
premise
that literacy is everyone’s responsibility. |
| 1985 |
Publication of newsletter Literacy
Across the Curriculum begins. |
| 1989 |
Dawson College and the Quebec
Association for Adult Learning (QAAL) formally establish The
Centre for
Literacy as a literacy resource centre, with a grant from the National
Literacy Secretariat. |
| 1990 |
First Summer
Institute on
Literacy, now an annual event focused on literacy and related
topics. |
| 1991 |
Incorporated as an
independent organization with charitable status |
| 1995 |
First project on health
and
literacy |
| 2000 |
The
Centre wins the Weiler Award for contributing to social justice
in Canada in recognition of its work in health and literacy. |
| 2002 |
The Centre wins awards for
community leadership from both Canada Post and the Quebec
Writers’ Federation. |
| 2005 |
In collaboration with the Salvation Army and Elizabeth
House, The Centre establishes HIPPY Montreal. |
| 2007 |
The Centre starts managing a two-year national project
on adult literacy and accountability. |
|
