National Literacy Secretariat -
Valuing Literacy in Canada

Valuing Literacy in Canada is a strategic joint initiative of the National Literacy Secretariat Human Resources and Development Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council that fosters collaborative, multidisciplinary, policy-oriented and applied research into adult literacy issues. Funded research enhances knowledge of literacy theory, practice, policy and methodology, helping to inform researchers, practitioners and policy makers. The Valuing Literacy in Canada program offers three funding streams to encourage multidisciplinary approaches to adult literacy research that encompass the social, economic and cultural dimensions literacy in Canada.

1. Strategic Research Grants:
   Researchers and teams of researchers, affiliated with post secondary institutions or with literacy and non-profit organizations, may request a maximum of $50,000 per year for up to three years fund research activities relating to adult literacy.
2. Strategic Partnership Development Grants:
   Up to $5,000 annually to seek and develop potential academic and/or literacy partnerships for research activities relating to adult literacy.
3. Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowship Supplements:
   An annual supplement of $5,000 for SSHRC Doctoral or Postdoctoral Fellows conducting research in adult literacy.

The complete program description and application forms are available on the SSHRC website at www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/program_index_e.asp. The deadline for receipt of applications is November 4, 2002. For further information please contact Luc Lebrun at the National Literacy Secretariat (613) 947-9652 or email: luc.lebrun@sshrc.ca.

SKYword -
Launched in Toronto

Earlier this fall, ABC Canada Literacy Foundation, Air Canada, Amazon.ca and Harper Collins Canada announced a joint partnership on an innovative inflight, audio-book entertainment program, called SKYword, to be featured aboard all Air Canada flights.

The SKYword program will offer all Air Canada passengers access to a new in-flight audio channel featuring author interviews and exclusive audio-book excerpts from best-selling Canadian and International fiction as well as popular children's literature.

Each month, Harper Collins will provide new content for the audio entertainment channel, often narrated by well-known celebrities or the authors themselves. A different theme will be featured each month, with books ranging from children's books to new fiction.

	Human Resources Development Canada	Développement des ressources humaines Canada

Sweet Talk

On September 6,2002 the Central Eastern Literacy Outreach Office (CELOO) and the Gander & Area Laubach Literacy Council (GALLC) co-sponsored their annual Timbit Giveaway to celebrate International Literacy Day. 120 packages of Timbits, with an attached literacy message stapled to them, were given to businesses and organizations in the area. Everybody greeted the treat with much pleasure.

The WISE staff were the first group to receive their Timbits. Vickie Wilkins and DeeAnna Harbin (WISE & GALLC), Ed Oldford (CELOO, GALLC), Harold Saunders (GALLC), Eileen Smith (CELOO) and Cynthia Hennesey-Lewis (WISE).