Snoeks Desmond, family literacy expert from South Africa, visits Australia
International relations between South Africa and Australia
were strengthened in recent weeks with the visit to
Australia of Snoeks Desmond from Durban. Snoeks is
an early childhood development and family literacy
expert whose visit was supported by ACAL and VALBEC.
Her visit included participation in the recent ACAL
conference in WA, and in Melbourne
she gave presentations at a VALBEC Twilight forum,
at the University of Melbourne and at Church of All
Nations, Carlton. Snoeks spoke about her work with
the Family Literacy Program, which she established
in 2000 in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal. Snoeks is
now on the board of the Family Literacy Program and
in addition she travels into other African countries
advising governments and other agencies about setting
up their own family literacy programs. Kwa Zulu Natal
is where Alan Paton's novel , 'Cry the Beloved Country'
is set. It is now the province most affected by HIV AIDS
and Snoeks talked about how important literacy is in educating
about such issues as HIV AIDS and health and sanitation.
The Family Literacy Program is a non-government organisation
which has won several significant adult education and
literacy awards. Snoeks' presentations provided a moving
account of the work of the family literacy program,
and a small glimpse into life in this part of South
Africa.
www.familyliteracyproject.co.za
Snoeks Desmond presented VALBEC with the traditional bead work made by women from the Kwazulu Natal Family Literacy Project.
$400,000 funding concern
Members may have noted the awarding of $400,000 in funds to the Australian Industry Group (AiG), for a project to examine the extent of, and responses to, language, literacy and numeracy issues in the workplace as part of the federal government’s Workforce Innovation Program. VALBEC wrote a letter of concern (PDF 50KB) to the Hon. Julia Gillard and Senator Mark Arbib that questioned the appropriateness and purpose of this project. In the past, this kind of project would have been funded through the now defunct Adult Literacy Innovative Projects, managed by DEEWR. AiG has been given funding when it is not in a transparently consultative position and does not have existing relationships with stakeholders such as ACAL or the wider adult education and training sector.
A response (PDF 360KB) from the Office of the Deptuy Prime Minister was received on October 12, 2009.
ACFE Capacity Initiatives
Flexible Business Development Program
Memo re Workshops & Grant Program (PDF 50KB)
Guideline and Application Form (PDF 110KB)
Professional Development Workshops (PDF 90KB)
'Reading The Fine Print'
Rosie Wickert launched 'Reading the Fine Print: A history of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) 1978 – 2008' by Beverley Campbell. This significant publication is an engaging and comprehensive account of thirty years in the life of this professional organization. More
Author Beverley Campbell has been involved in education for thirty-five years, twenty-five of those in adult literacy education. She is a past president of VALBEC (1989-91) and a former member of the Adult Community and Further Education Board of Victoria.
IBSA is developing a Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LL&N)
VALBEC's response (PDF 35KB)
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The launch of 'Reading The Fine Print' on Thursday evening and 'Navigating Laneways' on Friday. Pictures courtesy of Gail Pratley and Wes Campbell |
2009
VALBEC Conference
Loss of funds for the Adult Literacy National Project
VALBEC recently wrote to the Federal Minster for Education, Julia Gillard, expressing concerns about the loss of funding for the adult literacy national project which includes the Reading and Writing Hotline and ACAL.
Here is the response (PDF 80KB)
We encourage members to write to their state and federal politicians asking about the fate of funding for adult literacy and in particular, ACAL and the Reading and Writing Hotline and give examples from your experience of the service putting learners in contact with programs.
VALBEC responses
Securing Our Future Economic Prosperity
VALBEC response to the Securing Our Future Economic Prosperity discussion paper (PDF 50KB)
LLNP Discussion Paper
VALBEC provided a response to the LLNP Language Literacy and Numeracy Program Services Discussion Paper (PDF 50KB)
