The topics of panel presentations and workshops cover a significant range of social, political, technological, and economic issues seen from the vantage points of the stakeholders connected to adult literacy programs. These views from the field of literacy education address special needs of adults as disparate as international good practices in education in Mexico and Belize, to exploring leadership role models and specific civic participation strategies, to writing from various contexts for all types of purposes, and the role education plays in improving the quality of women’s lives. Teaching strategies for English as Second Language students and leadership and empowerment development strategies as well as ways to address the social dimensions of personal and community health are examined through the lens of the education process.

Co-sponsors of the conference and pre-conference include University of Rhode Island College of Human Science and Services, Rhode Island Department of Adult Education, Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center, Citizens Bank, the BankRI and Transformation Education LLC.

Community, Leadership, Activism:

Economic Justice, Cultural Alliances, Good Health responds to current events and moves our attention towards using literacy for action in our communities. In addition to coming to deeper understanding of leadership development through education and the qualities one needs to be a leader, participants will explore how women learners can use their literacy and educational accomplishments to create better communities through active participation.

Featured speakers include Margaret Doughty, Founder and Director of Literacy Powerline based in Texas, Jeniffer Herrera-Andújar, Student Leader for FUTURE NOW at Bronx Community College in New York, Klare Allen, Community Organizer for Massachusetts Senior Action in Boston, and Kira Neel, a bilingual theater practitioner from New York City. Additional presenters will be coming from Belize, Mexico, Canada, and several regions from across the United States. Speakers and facilitators will explore themes related to moving beyond survival to develop economic justice; strengthening relationships and alliances among people from different cultures, backgrounds, and diversities; and supporting good health and wellness (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual).....

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