LITERACY NEWS

More than a Name Change: the International ReadingAssociation becomes theInternational Literacy AssociationRAI wasn’t alone in adopting a name change in 2015. On January 26, 2015, the International ReadingAssociation (IRA) officially became the International Literacy Association (ILA). The change from“Reading” to “Literacy” was a crucial step in the organisation’s efforts to emphasise its role as aglobal professional membership association for literacy leaders. The reason for the change wastwofold.Firstly, the change was initiated in response to the concerns of members(the majority of whom are classroom teachers) who indicated thattheir responsibility as educators was to teach a broad spectrum of literaciesincluding writing, oral language, communication skills, digital, visualand critical literacies; and not just reading. Through its network ofmore than 300,000 literacy educators and experts across 75 countries,ILA works to develop, gather and disseminate useful resources, bestpractices and cutting-edge research to empower educators, inspire studentsand inform policy makers. ILA’s research journals (The ReadingTeacher, Reading Research Quarterly and Journal of Adolescent &Adult Literacy) and publications (books, and online resources such as,the E-ssentials and Bridges series) set the standards for how literacy isdefined, taught and evaluated. Visit the website at http://reading.org/general/Publications.aspx for further details. The annual conference ofthe organisation has moved to July. Again this was in response to Bernadette Dwyermembers’ feedback. The conference will be held this year in St. Louis,USA from 18-20 th of July. For further information on the conference, visit the conference website(http://www.reading.org/annual-conference-2015/) where details of speakers and events can befound.Secondly, the name change, building on and solidifying a 60-year legacy, positions the organisationas advocates in advancing literacy in classrooms and communities around the world. There are currently,approximately, 800 million people worldwide who struggle to attain literacy. This is an unacceptableand truly horrifying statistic in the 21 st century. To date the International Literacy Associationhas developed 22 projects to improve literacy levels in the developing world. ILA is wellpositionedto lead the cross-sector collaboration and integration necessary to address illiteracyworldwide. The transformative power of literacy in an individual’s life represents the difference betweeninclusion in, and exclusion from, society. In addition, a literate population creates prosperouseconomies, a just and equal society and more meaningful lives for citizens. Illiteracy is a solvableissue. To tackle illiteracy today, action is needed at all levels- individual, community, national, andinternational levels. With the collective support of members, affiliates (including the Literacy Associationof Ireland) and partners across the globe, the International Literacy Association aims to makethis the Age of Literacy – one where each of us works to transform lives by advancing literacy for all.Bernadette DwyerInternational Literacy Association Board of Directors (2013-2016)8