Literacy (the ability to read, understand, use and reflect upon written texts) and foundational knowledge includes the skills necessary for navigating life, finding employment, securing housing and accessing services. Calgarians need to continue to advocate for an educational system that encourages inclusive learning and the development of appropriate and relevant skills and competencies.
Lever of ChangeAdult Literacy and Foundational Learning
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Literacy and education are critical components of poverty reduction. Calgary Learns, akin to UNESCO, sees literacy as a human right.
It is estimated that one in five adults faces daily literacy and numeracy challenges for a variety of reasons like poverty, access to schooling, mental illness or instability in the home, the residential school legacy, systemic 'isms, undiagnosed or unaddressed learning disability. This means these adults also face knowledge and skills gaps that can get in the way of meeting day-to-day needs.
Literacy, numeracy, the skills and habits needed to engage in learning, the ability to use basic digital technology, and proficiency in the English language are core skills. Albertans need to be able to participate actively in society, pursue further learning, and be successful in their work, which makes literacy essential.
The Let's Talk Poverty podcast explored how improving literacy levels can shift the needle on poverty reduction. Listen to the episode.
Each lever of change links to one or more of the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Adult Literacy and Foundational Learning links to #2, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10.1, #10.2, #10.6, #11, #12, #53.3, #55.2, #55.3, #57, #59, #61.3, #62, #63, #64, #69.3, #86, #87, #92.2, and #92.3.
Projects
More Important Than Ever: Enough For All Evaluation Report
Every year Enough for All is evaluated by an independent third-party. The evaluation captures our community's progress towards achieving systems change priorities. The evaluation also provides direction to Vibrant Communities Calgary on its role in successfully advancing the Enough for All Strategy.
Report to Community
Our collective progress towards achieving Enough for All
Building Back Better – Enough for All in action
2020 Evaluation Report highlights progress in poverty reduction
Report to Community
Evaluating our collective progress towards achieving Enough for All in 2020
The Building Blocks of Early Literacy
Combating poverty in the earliest stages of life
News & Events
Newsletter
Get updates directly in your inbox on how poverty is changing in Calgary.
- Sep 27, 2023
PODCAST: Everything We Need Is Here
The importance of Indigenous ways of knowing and being
- Sep 5, 2023
Literacy is a necessary skill for every Albertan to thrive in their work
We spoke to the Canada West Foundation's Janet Lane about her recent study about literacy in Alberta
- Mar 7, 2023
Beneath the surface
VCC's latest report examines the multifaceted layers of wellbeing in Calgary
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