The world has experienced huge transformations over the past 5 years which has highlighted the critical importance of literacy and its foundational role in shaping educational, economic, and health outcomes.
Today’s issues:
The findings from the 2024 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) report show that there are still critical gaps to address:
19% of Canadian adults struggle with basic reading skills, which is a significant issue with serious implications.
Literacy touches every aspect of our lives and has a profound influence on our well-being, especially in our tech-based, knowledge-rich society, and Canada’s current literacy levels fall short of what is required for success in a knowledge-driven economy.
According to UNESCO, "Acquiring literacy is not a one-off act. Beyond its conventional concept as a set of reading, writing and counting skills, literacy also includes financial literacy, English as an Additional Language (EAL), as well as French as an Additional Language (FAL). Literacy is a continuum of learning and is part of a larger set of skills, which include digital skills, media literacy, education for sustainable development and global citizenship as well as job-specific skills."
A simple definition of literacy is the ability to read and write. But in a larger sense, literacy means understanding or competency. "Literacy is the set of foundational skills that enable an individual “to interpret information, make decisions, and solve problems in personal, work, and community life” (Windisch, 2015, p.20).
The facts behind the urgency for Canada.
The demand for literacy support is rising, along with an urgent need for free, inclusive programs accessible to individuals of all ages, families, and entire communities. It is imperative to offer support to children, youth, adults and entire communities who face systemic barriers to learning whether those are social, economic, and/or historical. Because:
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Children
Over a million children (30%) in Canada are not meeting grade-level literacy expectations, a challenge that disproportionately affects lower-income families and is compounded by factors such as race, geography, disability, and family structure.
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Adults
Nearly 20% of adults in Canada struggle with basic literacy, and improving adult literacy by just 1% could generate $67 billion annually, putting approximately $1,800 more in each Canadian's pocket.
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New Immigrants
With 56-58% of recent immigrants speaking a first language other than English or French, literacy is essential for navigating life in Canada, yet recent cuts to English as an Additional Language (EAL) and French as an Additional Language (FAL) programs have increased the demand for community-based solutions.
United for Literacy proposes a tri-fold strategic plan (2025-2029) plan.
The focus: A Theory of Change towards high impact initiatives to address the short fall of current literacy levels in a knowledge-driven economy.
Strategy A: Deepen our impact
Develop and expand targeted, higher intensity, impact focused programming in underserved areas.
Increase and deepen all partnerships to deliver United for Literacy programs.
Increase the capacity of satellite partners, to deliver meaningful literacy programming.
Strategy B: Expand our Influence
Scale our influence through stakeholder mobilization.
Raise public awareness.
Amplify thought leadership.
Strategy C: Build our internal capacity
Integrate fund development & increase unrestricted revenue.
Enhance staff and volunteer recruitment, development and engagement.
Strengthen our effectiveness as an agile, learning organization.
Guided by the following values:
By putting learners at the heart of everything we do.
By having a commitment to reconciliation, equity, and accessibility.
By strong collaborations and partnerships to amplify voices.
By remaining agile and learning from each other.
United for Literacy's unique value proposition
To this day, we transform "every place in a learning place," by customizing our approach for the individuals or communities. We believe that literacy skills are essential for making informed decisions, accessing opportunities, and navigating a rapidly changing world.
United for Literacy offers country-wide free, inclusive literacy supports with a strengths-based approach to learning. We open the door to transformative learning from coast to coast to coast and ensure every learning space we create is safe, inclusive.
We have historically anchored our activities in the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion—even before it was a widespread concern for society: women in 1920s; newcomers in the 40s; youth leadership roles in the ‘60s; and learning with and from Indigenous communities in the ‘80s. At the turn of the 21st century, we embraced the latest technologies to reach the most geographically isolated learners across the country.
Our ability to connect deeply with the individuals, families, and entire communities we serve is what sets us apart.
