A Call to Action

The last session of the conference, A Call to Action, was held on Saturday afternoon, October 16, 2003. In this session, the four provincial caucuses were called upon to report on the four questions that had been posed to them at the beginning of the Institute by the Chair. The four questions were:

• What are the top three (3) priorities which should be addressed in workplace/workforce literacy?
• Can you identify the partnerships required to address these priorities?
• Who will lead the initiative in the Atlantic Region?
• What is the plan of action?

There were several recurring and/or significant themes that arose during this session that can be said to highlight the Innovations in Workplace Literacy and Learning: 4^th Atlantic Region Workplace/Workforce Institute. These themes are listed below followed by the report of each provincial caucus.

TOP 3 PRIORITIES

• Sustainable Funding
  Each provincial caucus reported on the need for sustainable funding that is long-term and that is required to meet long term needs and goals.
• Stakeholder Commitment
  All caucuses stated the need for awareness, commitment and communication from all partners in workplace education.
• Strategic Planning, Removal of Barriers to Workplace Education and a Unified Structure
  These were also identified as being among the top three priorities.

PARTNERSHIPS

All caucuses recognized the need for partnerships within the community to advance workplace education. Partners identified were labour unions, employers, government (municipal, provincial and federal), practitioners and community-based organizations.

WHO WILL LEAD THE INITIATIVE IN THE ATLANTIC REGION?

All caucuses agreed that there would not be one leader but an Action Committee comprised of equal representatives identified in partnership. his initiative would occur at the provincial level and at the Atlantic regional level.

ACTION PLAN

Each caucus developed an action plan outlined under the caucus notes.