ABC Life Literacy Canada

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Online features, programs and events showcase the successes of adult learning from March 2-8

TORONTO, ON – March 2, 2009: ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is pleased to announce that it will join the Canadian Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in celebration of International Adult Learners’ Week (IALW) 2009, held from March 2-8 across Canada.

Celebrated in more than 40 countries, IALW was launched in 2000 as a way to showcase adult learners and to create awareness on the importance of lifelong learning. The week gives adult learners, and the organizations that work with and support them, the chance to express their views, describe their challenges and document their success stories through promotional campaigns and events.

In honour of the week, ABC CANADA will showcase a series of online videos featuring adult learners talking about their success stories. To view these inspirational pieces, please visit www.abc-canada.org.

“It takes a lot of strength and courage for an adult to face their reading, writing and numeracy challenges. Upgrading these skills at work and home is important for all Canadians,” says Margaret Eaton, President, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation. “We congratulate the Canadian Commission for UNESCO on International Adult Learners’ Week. This is a wonderful initiative to celebrate and promote the success of adult learning.”

Since 1994, ABC CANADA, in partnership with the Yellow Pages Group™, has successfully assisted tens of thousands of adults looking for help to upgrade their skills with the Look Under LEARN program. Each Yellow Pages book features an ad for local literacy organizations under the term “LEARN”. Anyone looking to upgrade their literacy and/or math skills can check their Yellow Pages and contact their local literacy organization.

To help kick off International Adult Learners’ Week, ABC CANADA offers the following ten tips for all Canadians to upgrade or sharpen their skills. Remember, if you don’t use it, you lose it.

• You are never too old to learn, enroll in a class or program to learn more about something of interest.
• Start a book club for friends and neighbours.
• Have a quiet place in your home with reading and writing material always handy.
• Turn off the TV and set aside one hour each night for reading or playing board games that involve reading instructions and keeping score.
• Read books, magazines and Internet sites about things that interest you, such as movies, news and travel.
• Do the crossword, word jumble and/or Sudoku in the newspaper every day.
• Visit your public library every week.
• Write a letter to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.
• Host a karaoke party for your family and friends.
• Donate your time to a local literacy program and volunteer to tutor adult learners.

About ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is Canada’s private-sector voice championing adult literacy. The national charity envisions a Canada where individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are provided the opportunities to increase the skills that prepare people for realizing their full potential at work, at home and in the community. To learn more, visit www.abc-canada.org.

Canadian Commission for UNESCO
The Canadian Commission for UNESCO operates under the aegis of the Canada Council for the Arts. Its role is to act as a forum for governments and civil society, and to mobilize the participation of Canadian organizations and committed individuals in UNESCO’s mandated areas: education, natural and social sciences, culture and communication and information. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the only member of the United Nations System to have National Commissions performing this role in its Member States.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Karen Benner, Communications Manager
Phone: 416-218-0010 x 122
Toll free: 1-800-303-1004 x 122
email: kbenner@abc-canada.org

Ashley Tilley, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 416-218-0010 x 127
Toll free: 1-800-303-1004 x 127
email: atilley@abc-canada.org

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