Literacy changes lives: Why we need to work together to close the nation’s literacy gap

It is with pleasure we invite you to a free half-day conference to celebrate International Literacy Day 2019. The conference, which will look at how literacy changes lives, will focus on how we can all work together to help close the nation’s literacy gap and to create a more inclusive society.

In Ireland, 500,000 adults have problems reading and writing. Even more have difficulty doing basic math. This has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. It also costs public services, businesses and the economy millions each year. This seminar will highlight why we need to work together to help close the nation’s literacy gap and to create a more inclusive society.

Speakers and topics:

• Introduction and MC: Joe Little, Religious and Social Affairs Correspondent, RTÉ News and Current Affairs
• Low literacy costs, high literacy pays - Why good literacy skills are fundamental to the life chances of each citizen and to the development of an equal society: Dr Inez Bailey, Chief Executive, National Adult Literacy Agency
• The personal consequences: Brian O'Donnell, Adult Literacy Student, Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (ETB) and Galina Moraru, Adult Literacy Student, Kildare and Wicklow ETB
• Health literacy and health inequality in Ireland: Professor Donal O’Shea, Consultant Endocrinologist
• Family, society and community: Jason Vit, Head of Literacy Hubs at the National Literacy Trust in the UK
• Literacy in the workplace: Representatives from Keelings and SOLAS, the further education and training authority
• What's next? - Developing a 10 year whole-of-government and whole-of-society framework for literacy in Ireland: Dr Shana Cohen, Director, Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC)

Venue: National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, D01 Y300 Dublin 1

Public transport: The nearest LUAS tram stop is Mayor Square (two stops after Busarus on the red line)

Parking: The National College of Ireland car park is on Alderman Way, Dublin 1