Deadline: 31 December 2010
Gaborone, Botswana
11th – 14th July 2011
FIRST CALL FOR PAPERS [Deadline Dec 31, 2010]
Organised by Reading Association of Botswana (RAB) International Development Committee - Africa (IDC-A) International Reading Association (IRA)
THE 7TH PAN-AFRICAN READING FOR ALL CONFERENCE
The purpose of the Pan-African Reading for All Conference(s) is to develop ways of translating “Education for All” into “Reading for All”. The 7th Pan-African Reading for All Conference will be hosted by the Reading Association of Botswana and will be an opportunity for teachers, writers, librarians, publishers, and development workers from Botswana and other nations to continue developing a coordinated approach to literacy in Africa. In addition, the network of educators and other professionals across Africa for sharing best practices and research will be strengthened. A greater responsiveness among authors and publishers to the needs of the newly emerging literate populations of Africa anticipated as a result of Education for All will be provoked. Overall, the conference will highlight support structures needed, to be established or strengthened, for the promotion of reading as a cornerstone for the Education for All process, nationally and internationally.
The Pan-African Reading for All Conference has become an important literacy event on the African continent. It provides a platform for policy makers in government and the donor community to interface with literacy professionals, and researchers at all levels to share vital knowledge and information on appropriate ways and strategies of delivering literacy and reading skills to all communities. In the six countries where the conference has been held, the positive developments registered have included growth and development of community libraries, adult literacy classes and children’s reading tents; the emergence of reading and writing clubs in schools and communities; and, positive policy pronouncements in favour of the book sector and publishing industry. The first conference, which was held in Pretoria in 1999, focused on reading among children. The second, held in Abuja in 2001, considered the role of communities in building a reading culture. The emphasis of the third, which was in Kampala in 2003, was on analyzing and ultimately surmounting the factors that impede the transmission and use of literacy skills. In 2005, the fourth conference was taken to Swaziland where the emphasis was on exploring the connection between literacy and sustainable development. The fifth conference, held in August 2007, took place in Ghana where Literacy for Human Liberation was the main theme. The most recent was The 6th Pan-African Reading for All Conference, which took place in Tanzania from August 10th -14th, 2009. There the focus was on Literacy for Community Based Socio-economic Transformation and Development. The determination of the conference theme draws from the local scene of the hosting country, but extends to matters of regional and global interest. Objectives of The 7th Pan-African Reading for All Conference
The objectives of the conference are to:
• Strengthen capacity within Africa in collecting and analysing data to support formulation of policy and interventions that address the barriers that make it difficult to achieve the vision of literacy for all; • Generate frameworks for the development and implementation of new initiatives that address specific literacy problems;
• Consider how reading and writing can be harnessed effectively for opening up social futures across Africa and the world at large;
• Interrogate a range of approaches to literacy that promote reading in families, facilitate the setting up of rural libraries and encourage the development of reading materials.
CONFERENCE THEME, SUB-THEMES AND TOPICS
A. Conference Theme: A Reader, the Empowered Leader
B. Sub-themes
i) Literacy and empowerment
ii) Literacy, leadership and marginalized groups
iii) Innovation and literacy instruction
iv) Literate citizenry and a participatory society
v) Literacy and Human Rights
vi) Broadening literacy
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS
Presentations will be of the following types:
• Individual papers: These will be presented by one, or more, individual(s) and will be allotted 30 minutes each (20 minutes for the presenter(s) and 10 for discussion).
• Colloquia: These will be presented by four or five people working together and will be allotted 2 hours. The presenters may divide the time amongst themselves as they like but should allow at least 40 minutes (not necessarily all together) for audience reactions.
• Workshops: These will be interactive sessions, in which the presenter is expected to act as a facilitator rather than as a speaker. Each will be allotted one hour. A workshop should have a practical purpose and involve the participants in some activity.
• Poster sessions: These will be graphic displays of information, which will be posted on the walls of the session rooms and/or in the corridors. Each display will stay up for several hours, and a period of 20-30 minutes will be allotted for conference participants to come and discuss it with its presenter.
• Films: These should be presented on video tape and will be allotted 30 minutes each. Tapes should be no more than 20 minutes long to allow time for viewers’ questions and comments.
Presentations should fall under one of the sub-themes listed and may address literacy issues at any level of learning. To propose a presentation, please fill out the proposal form provided here.