January 29, 2003

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR-The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, today announced funding of $95,289 for a project by the Brother T.I. Murphy Learning Resource Centre. Funding for this project is being provided through the National Literacy Secretariat.

"The pace of change in today's knowledge-based economy makes learning and developing new skills essential," said Minister Byrne. "The 2003 Research-in-Practice Institute conference will be an excellent opportunity for literacy practitioners across the country to develop and strengthen their research skills and abilities."

Through this project, the Brother T.I. Murphy Learning Resource Centre will work in partnership with Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Community Based Literacy Network, and with the Alberta based Research-in-Practice in Adult Literacy Network to host a four-day Research-in-Practice Institute conference in 2003. The conference will help to build and strengthen research capacity among literacy practitioners in Canada through courses on qualitative research topics, which include getting started and approaches to literacy research in practice, participatory action research, and expanding research skills.

Established in 1986, the Brother T.I. Murphy Learning Resource Centre is a non-profit charitable organization that provides alternative educational and learning opportunities to youth and adults in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Literacy skills are linked to work skills, health and self-esteem. Higher literacy skills among Canadians enable them to participate more fully in our economy and our society. For instance, literacy skills help determine the kinds of jobs we find, enable parents to read to their children and help us understand technical jargon, allowing us to use tools and equipment safely.

The National Literacy Secretariat works in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, businesses, labour and the volunteer community. The goal of these partnerships is to increase public awareness of literacy, help people share information, improve access to literacy programs, develop learning materials, and advance research on literacy.

This project supports the Government of Canada's Innovation Strategy and more specifically Knowledge Matters, a policy paper that addresses the national challenge of ensuring that Canadians possess the skills and knowledge required to fully participate in the knowledge-based economy.

Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 Budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

This project has been reviewed to ensure compliance with the Department's improved administration of its grant and contribution programs.

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For more information:

Media Relations Office
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559