Volume 6, Number 5 - November 2000

Setting an Agenda for Tomorrow...
Welcome to our Conference and Celebration

Over 130 participants from around the province are gathering November 30 - December 2 for Literacy BC’s 10th Anniversary Celebration and Conference at the Empire Landmark Hotel in Vancouver.

The conference will give us an opportunity to review our accomplishments over the last decade, celebrate our commitments and build agreements on the future direction for literacy in B.C.

Senator Joyce Fairbairn, Special Advisor for Literacy to the Minister of Human Resources Canada, will speak at the Celebration and Reception on November 30. Senator Fairbairn is a longtime literacy champion and advocate.

Awarding-winning journalist Peter Calamai will give the keynote address - “The Next Big Challenge - Bringing New Energy and Focus to Literacy” on Dec. 1. Calamai directed the first Canadian literacy survey, ”Broken Words” in 1987, which prompted federal government action on literacy issues.

The keynote speaker for the conference dinner is Lesra Martin. Instrumental in the release of Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter from prison, Mr. Martin’s inspiring presentation demonstrates that the power to make a difference exists in each of us.