No, this is certainly not just another consultation report.
Rather, this document lays out for all to see the outcomes of an extraordinary
province-wide consultation process that took place throughout British Columbia
from September, 2000 to August, 2001. If you want to have an up-to-date,
comprehensive sense of what British Columbians think and believe about
“literacy and lifelong learning”, here it is.
I well remember participating in the Visioning Conference in
December, 2000. The enthusiasm and commitment from such a diverse group was
inspiring. The huge room simply bubbled throughout the event. While I did not
participate in the follow up surveys or the consultations in 40 communities
throughout the province, I was well aware of the schedule and the determination
of the planners to respect the views and perspectives of all. This report
confirms that the planners and reporters were excellent listeners.
You will find commentary and action recommendations on every
key area of literacy – from its definitions to its delivery, from
strategies to success formulas, from initiations to interventions – and
much more. As a result, this is much more than a British Columbia document. It
is a significant contribution to the Canadian and international literature on
literacy. Its recommendations have application well beyond British Columbia.
I found this report on a complex, ‘murky’ topic easy
to follow. I was impressed particularly by the observations about the roles
that schools might play in addressing literacy issues – and the
limitations that schools have in meeting the needs of people throughout this
province. I found the emphasis on the need for more community capacity-building
and partnerships very encouraging. I was even more delighted to read no single
‘solution’ had been proposed as though there were a simple answer to
a matter of such far-reaching social, economic, and personal consequence.
So, what now? Like many other readers, I have stacks of
excellent reports sitting on my shelves, untouched after a first or second
reading. What a shame it would be if this report were to get the same
treatment! This report cries out for implementation – for action –
for urgent action – and that will be a special challenge especially in
these severe economic times in this province.
I urge all of us individually to ask: What can I do to follow
up on the recommendations contained in this report? I urge all of us
collectively to ask: What can we do together to make this consultation process
truly meaningful and of practical and lasting benefit for British
Columbians?
Paul Gallagher
Gallagher & Associates
March 2002
