Literacy is an essential prerequisite for all kinds of learning and human development. It enables people to live full and meaningful lives, and to contribute towards the enrichment of the communities in which we live. By literacy we mean the ability to read and write at a level whereby individuals can effectively understand and use written communication in all media (print or electronic), including digital literacy. In the knowledge-based societies of the 21st Century, the rapid spread of new technologies and a constantly changing work environment, literacy learning is no longer limited to childhood and adolescence but must be recognised as a lifelong need and requirement.

In Europe one in five 15-year-olds and nearly 55 million adults lack basic literacy skills. Not only does this make it difficult for them to find a job, it also increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion, limiting opportunities for cultural and civil participation, lifelong learning and personal growth. The European Commission recognises that there has been little improvement in literacy in the last 15 years. Yet, with affirmative action, we can make a difference.

ELINET Association (European Literacy Policy Network) &
University of Cologne

Prof. Dr. Christine Garbe, Chair of ELINET Association; University of Cologne, Germany

Viv Bird, ex Chief Executive of Booktrust, UK
Prof. Dr. Patricia Schillings, University of Liège, Belgium
Dr. Sari Sulkunen, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
Prof. Dr. Eufimia Tafa, University of Crete, Greece
Prof. Dr. Renate Valtin, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany

Prof. Dr. William G. Brozo, George-Mason-University, Fairfax, VA, U.S
Drs. Jeroen Clemens, Utrecht, Netherlands
Dr. Fabio Nascimbeni, Universidad International de la Rioja, Spain
Dr. George Manolitsis, University of Crete, Greece
Prof. Dr. Gerry Shiel, St. Patrick´s College, Dublin, Ireland

contribution of 15 minutes, abstract max. 300 words

I: Early literacy teaching: Skills, teaching practices and professional development. (Chair: Renate Valtin / Eufimia Tafa)

II: Teaching disciplinary literacy in all subjects – new research and practices (Chair: Sari Sulkunnen)

III: “Make every teacher a teacher of literacy” – new approaches in teacher education and professional development. (Chair: Christine Garbe)

IV: The Effective Integration of Migrants into the Education System: challenges and solutions (Chair: Viv Bird)

V: European Education and Lifelong Learning Networks Round Table: exploring a common agenda and future policy messages (Chair: Viv Bird)

VI: Digital Literacy Frameworks: how to equip citizens with needed skills for the 21st Century (Chair: Fabio Nascimbeni)

VII: Digital literacy and language teaching in the digital age (Chair: Jeroen Clemens)

VIII: Literacy Assessments and Evaluation of Literacy Projects (Chairs: William G. Brozo / Gerry Shiel)

IX: The Gender Gap in Literacy: How to engage boys? (Chairs: William G. Brozo / Christine Garbe)

X: Adult literacy programmes. New practices and perspectives (Chair: Aydin Durgunoglu)

Please note that you are free to suggest additional sections to other topics with four or six contributions (60 Minutes or 90 Minutes)!

abstract max. 250 word for

a) Literacy Research Projects

b) Good Practice Projects across all age groups