COST Action IS1401ELN
Strengthening World Citizens’ Capabilities by
Establishing the European Literacy Network (ELN):
Societal Team: Discussing ELN Charter
ELN WG2 + WG3 workshop
COST is supported
by the EU Framework Programme
Zagreb, 31.03.17
ESF provides the COST Office
through a European Commission contract
I’ll be brief!
2
ELN Charter: Contents
• Preamble:
definition
Mission,
values,
and
literacy
• Members: e.g., full members, associate
• Bodies: e.g., General Assembly, ELN council
• Initiatives: e.g., workshops, STEM
• General functioning principles: e.g., gender
balance, voting rights
3
ELN’s mission
The European Literacy Network (ELN) is a worldwide notfor-profit association of individual literacy researchers
established by COST Action IS1401. The association
fosters networking among its members, promotes
literacy research worldwide, and aims to bridge the gap
between literacy science and education. Networking,
advancement of literacy research, and better literacy
education are not ends in of themselves, but means to
strengthen individual researchers or practitioners
capabilities, improve literacy education worldwide,
promote human development, and spread humanistic
(European) values.
4
…to spread humanistic values
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Humanistic thinking
Rationality
Secularity
Rule of Law
Democracy
Human Rights
Rembrandt, 1632, The abduction of Europa, detail
For us, the individual is paramount. His dignity is inviolable. His
rights are inalienable. Women and men enjoy equal rights. We are
striving for peace and freedom, for democracy and the rule of law,
for mutual respect and shared responsibility, for prosperity and
security, for tolerance and participation, for justice and solidarity.
We are enriched by open borders and a lively variety of languages,
cultures and regions. There are many goals which we cannot
achieve on our own, but only in concert.
Declaration on the 50th anniversary of the treaties of Rome, 25/03/2007
5
ELN’s mission (adapted MoU)
Specifically, the network will generate research collaborations
and serve as a forum through which interdisciplinary knowledge
on literacy in a digital world can be integrated, augmented, and
acted upon in ways that will advance worldwide literacy
research, educational standards, and will increase global public
awareness on the pivotal role played by literacy in fostering
human capabilities. In other words, the ELN will allow
researchers and practitioners to connect, integrate existent
knowledge on reading and writing, develop a comprehensive
approach to literacy, and train ESR in cutting-edge research
methods and practitioners in best evidence-based practices. At
the same time that we will strive to translate available
knowledge into a clear form that eases communication with
other societal forces that can have a direct and efficient impact
on education, policy, and public opinion, which eventually will
strengthen world citizens’ capabilities.
6
ELN values
Science, research
Non-discrimination
Spread of literacy
Human Development
Freedom
Equality
Ethical behavior
Solidarity
Pluralism
Innovation
Inclusiveness
Capacity building
Diversity
Critical thinking
Education
Openness
7
Are these values at stake?
Malala Yousafzay
9/10/2012
Kaled al Asaad
1934-2015
8
Are these values at stake?
Brussels, March 22, 2016
Paris, November 13, 2015
9
Are these values at stake?
Berlin, December 19, 2016
Nice, July 14, 2016
10
Are these values at stake?
UK, July 24, 2016
US, November 8, 2016
11
Are these values at stake?
London, March 22, 2017
Apologies for an eurocentric list
12
But there is hope
Literacy + Values can play a role
Ameer Alhalbi, Aleppo, September 11, 2016
13
One first task, redefine literacy
Literacy definition in progress
Literacy is a special capability that has at its core a
competence with a written language. Development of this
capability is ever more critical in present-day, complex digital
societies, where literacy underpins a myriad of adaptive
behaviors –especially the full realization of human potential
and allowing effective participation in communities
functionings and societal changes. Effective participation in
communities entails that a threshold level of literacy in a
given area is attained. Providing optimal conditions for
threshold crossing to all children is a main duty of universal,
compulsory education. A second threshold seems also
implied when one considers issues of community change.
ELN and ISWAR are deeply engaged in research that
ultimately promotes literacy attainments for all.
14
A Scheme for Defining Literacy
Society
D
F
R+W
H
change
participation
paths
15
ELN Charter: Membership
• Friends, anyone donates as much they want
• Associate members, graduate degree, proposed
by one full member
• Full members, HE degree, researcher or
practitioner with 5 years of practice in literacy
field, proposed by own + 3 other countries
• Honorary members, life achievement, >60 years
old, outstanding contributions, proposed by ELN
Executive Board and approved at ELN Council
and General Assembly
• Partners, legal entities aligned with our aims
• Patrons, it will be very, very expensive!
16
ELN Charter: Bodies
Executive
Board
ELN Council
Fiscal Board
General Assembly
17
ELN Charter: Bodies
• Executive Board: minimum of 6p and 3c (?)
- Coordinator,
vice-coordinator,
treasurer,
communication manager, networking manager,
projects manager
- The office (secretary and website manager)
• ELN Council: executive board + 1(+1)
representatives from each country with more
than 25 members (?)
• Fiscal Board: 3 members different countries (?)
• General Assembly: All members, only full
members with voting rights (?)
18
ELN Charter: Initiatives
• Literacy Summit: every three years (keynotes,
local literacy visits, Trends in Literacy Science,
literacy tools showcase, best practices showcase)
• STEM (Short Term Exchange Mission):
connecting 2 members of the network (one
visiting another and carrying some work)
• Workshops: training event, intensive meeting to
achieve some work
• Communication: Website, newsletter, social
media presence
19
Thank you so much Anita!!
20