In December of 1989, the report of the Provincial Literacy Advisory Committee (PLAC) to the Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology was published. It laid out a framework for the development of literacy programs and strategies in the province for the decade following the 1990 International Year of Literacy.

During the intervening decade, much has been done. New programs have been initiated. People with literacy challenges have reached out for learning opportunities. Funding has been increased. Some changes in government policies have been implemented. However, the 1994 International Adult Literacy Survey and more recent studies continue to raise questions about how much has been concretely accomplished in the literacy field and what the most effective strategies might be for the future.

In the year 2000, marking the tenth anniversary of the release of the PLAC report, Literacy BC decided it was time to step back, review what has been accomplished, and think longer term. To that end, it initiated a year-long province-wide consultation on literacy and learning that would explore in depth the fundamental issues of awareness, program activities, delivery strategies, policy directions, leadership, and sustainability.

Our Intent…

The consultation was intended to serve a number of key objectives:

• to review, synthesize and create an overview document of what has been accomplished in the literacy field over the past ten years;

• to increase awareness about literacy issues among diverse communities;

• to develop benchmarks for measuring progress over the next five years, and create a baseline of data regarding these indicators;

• to build consensus among individuals, community organizations, educational institutions, government, businesses and unions about what needs to be done over the next five years, and who can best do it;

• to identify the current realities and future changes facing learners, practitioners, policy makers and decision makers;

• to contribute to the development of a long term strategic plan for literacy and learning in British Columbia; and

• to provide a model for consultation that could be replicated in other parts of Canada.