Ministers of education have recognized that it is through consultation and collaboration that the challenges of literacy can best be addressed. Participants in literacy events are able to share their knowledge and experiences and develop a broader understanding of the issues and possibilities in research, policy, and practice in literacy.
CMEC has organized four key events for consultation during the last few years:
- Pan-Canadian Interactive Literacy Forum, April 2008 — With 3,000 participants in nine locations, this webcast consultation brought together people from the diverse worlds of literacy — learners, practitioners, and representatives of education, government, business and labour, and non-profit organizations.
- 2007 PCERA (Pan-Canadian Education Research Agenda) Symposium on Literacy Initiatives — Emphasizing the connections between data and policy, this event also paid special attention to Aboriginal literacy.
- Investing in our Potential: Towards Quality Adult Literacy Programs in Canada, June 2006 — Focused on adult literacy, this forum looked at the use of Canadian and international literacy test results, innovative programs, and the link between literacy and economic performance.
- Unlocking our Children's Potential: Literacy and Numeracy as a Foundation, November 2005 — The necessity of providing children with a solid base in literacy and numeracy was the theme of this forum, with presentations on large-scale and classroom projects and their results.