Economic Zones

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has divided the province into 19 new economic zones. People and groups in these zones will have a say in planning the future of their communities. The hope is to create businesses and jobs that will last.

Each zone will first form a provisional board. Later, each zone will have a permanent Regional Economic Development Board (REDB). Elections will be held for each of these boards.

Each REDB will prepare a strategic economic plan for its area. People will be invited to have a say through public meetings, letters and telephone calls. The REDBs will work with government and other groups to carry out the plans for their zone.

If you would like more information about these changes, contact: Mildred Minty, Education and Training Specialist, Economic Zone Unit, lst Floor, Beothuck Building, 20 Crosbie Place, St. John's, Newfoundland, AlB 3Y8.

Telephone: (709) 724-1009; Fax: (709) 724-1016.

e-mail: mildred_minty@porthole.entnet.nf.ca

New Readers Program

The Fogo Island Literacy Association is promoting its new program entitled New Readers. Co-ordinator Delia Coish is excited about the prospect of introducing the reading program to parents and their new babies.

"When a baby is born, two volunteers from the association visit the hospital and present the parents with information on the importance of reading to their baby.,"

says Ms. Coish. There is also a book for the baby, and books for the parents.

"Many people don't realize that infants really enjoy looking at simple and brightly coloured books," she says. " We try to stress that books should be part of the baby's every day world."

Books for Babies Update

The Books for Babies program, which was developed by the Humber Literacy Council, continues to gain province-wide acceptance. The Trinity Conception Regional Health Board and the Carbonear General Hospital are the latest health centres to offer the free literacy kit to parents of newborn babies.

Parkland Regional College, under the direction and guidance of a national project committee, has begun the development of a multi-media native literacy information kit. The information kit is intended for use by communities and organizations which currently provide, or those who wish to establish, adult literacy programs.

The kit, which will include video and print-based resources, is intended to increase awareness of literacy program models, options and opportunities within aboriginal communities and organizations across Canada. The kit is also intended to increase general public awareness of the need for literacy and to promote the importance of community involvement in literacy programs. It will serve as a resource for other organizations which are planning to establish community-based native literacy programs.

The initial stage of the project development work includes establishing contact with native literacy programs currently in operation across Canada. Committee members and the project coordinator will contact programs to determine the nature and scope of programs offered by discussing program strength, the role of elders within the program, and delivery methods.

Organizations will also be asked to identify resources which have been particularly helpful in program promotion, development and delivery. This information, when compiled, will provide a comprehensive picture of native literacy program initiatives across Canada. To further project aims, contact will also be established with national and provincial literacy coalitions.

Following the research, video script development and arrangements for subsequent filming will occur. The development of supporting print-based resources will continue on an ongoing basis. It is anticipated that the kit will be available for distribution by June, 1997. Funding for this project has been made available, in part, by the National Literacy Secretariat.

For more information on this project, contact: