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Ottawa - It is a startling statistic: four out of 10 Canadians have difficulty reading or writing. How many of us can even consider not being able to read the following lines? Yet, every day, people you know neighbours, friends, family members, co-workers or other acquaintances – are unable to understand the many words their eyes encounter every day.
Fortunately, many of them have taken it upon themselves to change their situation. Every day, in classrooms, community halls, church basements, private homes and meeting rooms, many of these adults are learning how to read and write, thanks to the help of others whose fortune has allowed them to acquire these essential skill sets at a younger age.
These are the people, the learners and the teachers, that we seek to recognize and celebrate with the Canada Post Literacy Awards.
Canadians across the country are once again invited to nominate deserving individuals as well as exceptional educators, organizations or businesses that are working to improve the literacy perspective in Canada. Nominations for the 2006 Canada Post Literacy Awards are now open.
The Literacy Awards were established by Canada Post in 1993 as a means to celebrate the achievements of both adult learners and those who helped them to learn to read and write. By publicly acknowledging their efforts, the Awards inspire others to improve their reading and writing skills and to reach their personal literacy goals. "I was so surprised and happy to win the award," says Clarence Pine, a 2005 Individual Achievement Award winner. "The people I've met during my education process have been wonderful and have given a lot to me. When I get my degree, I want to give back to the community."
The Literacy Awards will recognize up to 45 individuals and organizations in four categories: Individual Achievement, Educator, Community Leadership and Business Leadership. Submissions must be received in Ottawa by Friday May 26, 2006. The names of finalists will be announced in the last week of July and winners will be notified in August.
Anyone interested in submitting a nomination can visit the Canada Post Literacy Award website at www.canadapost.ca/literacyawards for full program details and to download a nomination form. A free Call for Nomination booklet can be obtained by writing to:
THE 2006 CANADA POST LITERACY AWARDS
2701 RIVERSIDE DRIVE SUITE N0899
OTTAWA ON K1A 0B1
The 2006 Canada Post Literacy Awards are supported by Presenting Sponsors The Lowe-Martin Group and the National Literacy Secretariat of Human Resources and Development Skills Canada; Official Sponsors, Les Affaires, Maclean's, MDG Canada, National Post and the Scotiabank Group; and Supporters, the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Hebdos Québec and l'Association de la presse francophone.
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