From 5 to 7 November 2007, 20 family literacy practitioners and researchers from all world regions met in the premises of the UIL in Hamburg for an exchange of experiences and information, focusing on five areas that are especially relevant in family literacy programmes: Multilingualism, teacher training, community-oriented programmes, best practices and research.

The objectives of the seminar were to:
  1) take stock of policies, practice and especially research in the field of family literacy worldwide;
  2) explore the relevance and potential of intergenerational learning within adult education and lifelong learning;
  3) create an international network of experts and institutions working in the area of family literacy;
  4) prepare a report on this issue in preparation for the Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI), to be held 2009 in Brazil;
  5) build capacities in family and intergenerational literacy programmes especially for LIFE countries

The strategy includes holding two international seminars. This first seminar in 2007 brought together countries with wide varieties of experience in setting up family literacy policies and/or programmes. Some have already gained substantial expertise in this area. Each participant had been asked to prepare a report on intergenerational literacy learning and family literacy policies, practices and research in his or her country, focusing on research and impact evidence, and based on a questionnaire. A second seminar in 2008 will bring together countries with little or no experience in family literacy - with a focus on LIFE countries - that are interested in learning more about it and developing their own programmes. It will focus on capacity-building, relying on the expertise of some of the participants in the first seminar.

Contact:
Maren Elfert (m.elfertunesco.org) or
Rika Yorozu (r.yorozuunesco.org)

List of Participants
Concluding Statement