THEME

“Leadership Roles in Improving a Strong and Positive Influence on Literacy Development”

Venue     :    Berjaya Georgetown Hotel

                    1-Stop Midland Park, Burmah Road

                    10350 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Date       :    December 5-7. 2008

Sponsor :    International Reading Association (IRA)

Organizer:  International Development in Asia Committee (IDAC)

  In collaboration with :   School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia

 Main purposes of the workshop

1. To promote a deeper awareness in those leading programmes in literacy education of the importance of effective leadership in their associations,

2. To provide a forum for in depth and focused discussions that will yield deeper insights in furtherance of the cause of literacy.

The specific objectives of the workshop and topics for discussion

1.      To track global and regional developments and current perspectives on literacy.

      Topics:

·        A renewed vision of literacy on a global perspective.

·        The promotion of literacy in multilingual and cultural-pluralistic settings as a new trend of literacy development in the Asian region.

2.      To provide a forum for literacy leaders in the Asian region to discuss and share regarding leadership roles and best practices in literacy development

              Topics:

Leadership qualities for effective management reading councils/ associations

·        Best practices in literacy development Membership promotion

·        Active program planning, evaluation, and follow-up activities.

3.      To provide an opportunity for Asian leaders to gain a greater  understanding of  the new  literacy development programs  and policies of IRA, and how they are related to the operations of Asian reading councils and associations

        Topics:

·        IRA literacy programs and policies for a new decade

·        Membership promotion in the Asian region

·        Collaborations among Asian leaders to support the implementation of IRA literacy programs and policies.

SPEAKERS/PRESENTERS

1.      Opening ceremony and Keynote Address

Professor Adelina Arellano-Osuna Ph.D, Board Member, International Reading Association

2.      Workshop Sessions

Session 1 (a)  Title: IRA’s literacy programs and policies for a new decade  (2007-2016)

Presenter: Dr. Adelina A-Osuna (IRA representative)

Session 1 (b)  Title: Collaborations among Asian Leaders

Presenter: Brenda Townsend (IRA Representitive)

Session 2 (a) Title: A panel Discussion Topics: A Global Perspective on a    Renewed Vision of Literacy in the New  Decade

 Presenter: Adelina A-Osuna (IRA Representative)

Session 2 (b)  Title: The Promotion of Literacy in Multilingual and Cultural-pluralism setting as a New Trend on Literacy Development in Asian Region

     Presenter: Sakil Mallik (IRA Representative)

Session 3 Title: Developments in IDAC and IRA

      Presenter: Brenda Townsend (IRA Representative)

                      Uthai Piromruen ( IDAC Chair)

Session 4  Title: Leadership Qualities for Effective Management of Reading  Council / Association

Presenter: Ambigapathy Pandian (IDAC   Representative)

Session 5  Title: Best Practices in literacy development in the IDAC countries.

Presenter: Merlene Alon & Chiou-Ian Chern ( IDAC     Representatives.)

Session 6  Title: Management Issues –Building up a Strong Council

Presenter: Samuel Leung,  Kheng  Min Ma (IDAC Representatives)

PARTICIPANTS

List of Moderators and Participants

Total Participants (Speakers, Moderators, and Participants)

         20 persons :  -3 from IRA Headquarters

      - 17 from International Development in Asia 

Committee (IDAC) and  National Affiliate and Local Councils in Asia ( Bangladesh (2), China (1), Hong Kong (1), Indonesia (2), Malaysia(1), Nepal(1), Pakistan(2), the Philippines(2), Singapore(1), Taiwan(2),

WORKSHOP SCHEDULES

December 5, 2008 (Friday),   Venue: LEVEL 6

December 6, 2008 (Saturday),    Venue:   LEVEL 6

December 7, 2008 (Sunday),       Venue:     LEVEL 6

SUMMARY OF EVENTS

1.         The leadership workshop was organized and collaborated by three organizations: International Reading Association (IRA) with the assistance from  Division of Councils and Affiliate Services, the International Development in Asia Committee (IDAC), and the School of Languages, Literacies and Translation, University of Science, Malaysia. The Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, Penang, serves as a venue for the workshop for 1 and 1/2 days and 2 nights.  Alan Farstrup, IRA Executive Director, kindly sent the message of Greeting and Congratulations to all workshop presenters and participants.  His message was  printed in the Workshop Program.

2.         The opening ceremony was graciously presiding over by Professor Dr. Adelina Arellano Osuna, IRA Board Member who delivered a keynote address before starting the first session at 7:30 pm. on December 5, 2008.  Associate Professor Dr. Uthai Piromruen, IDAC Chair and Leadership Workshop, and Professor Dr. Ambigapathy Pandian, IDAC Vice Chair  and Co-Chair of the Leadership Workshop jointly delivered welcome greetings for the workshop speakers and participants.  Brenda Townson , Director of Council and Affiliate Services closed the Workshop after giving certificates to all presenters and workshop participants with an encouraging speech.

3.         Twenty persons including 1 (one) IRA Board Member, 2 (two) Directors from IRA Executive Office, 17 members of IDAC, National Affiliates and Councils from 10 nations from Asia. Because of the unexpected circumstances on air travel in the region, two people from Thailand , and one from Timore Leste, could not attend the workshop.

4.         All workshop sessions (8) were smoothly moving with the full attendance of participants from the beginning to the end. The poster session on the last day displayed interesting reading projects and activities in Asian countries and it was enthusiastically presented by workshop participants representing  their reading associations.

5.         Each workshop presenter, participant and member of the local co-organizing committee was given a certificate of attendance and completion by Director of IRA  Council and Affiliate Services and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee.  A CD containing photos taking during the workshop and document files of the Power-Point presentations was given to each representative from national affiliates and councils in Asia participating in the workshop.

6.         Accommodations and meals for workshop presenters and participants were arranged and provided by the helpful  manager of Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, with an efficient team for workshop facilities, and all session recordings  from the School of Languages, Literacies, and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia.

IMPACT

1.      The workshop has stimulated  the Asian leaders’ awareness in the importance of effective leadership in their associations in creating and supporting leading program in literacy education.  Evidences could be seen from the leaders’ attentive participation in the discussion on the strong and positive leadership roles on the successful literacy programs found in the associations which could maintain their best practices of the program.

2.      Many in-depth and focused discussions were made in  many sessions of the workshop, which yielded deeper insights among leaders through forums in furtherance of the causes of success and failure of literacy programs in the region.

3.      The workshop has bridged the gap between IRA, International Development Committee such as IDAC,  National Affiliates and Local Councils in the region through a face-to-face and interactive communication among members of these organizations. Literacy policies and program on the global perspective as well as national and local dimensions have been revealed. This activity created good understanding on the shared-visions and missions on literacy improvement.

4.      Asian leaders had opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the new literacy development program and policies of IRA, and how they were related to the operations of Asian reading councils and associations.

5.      Asian leaders showed their interest in giving more supports for IRA for membership promotion in the region.  On-line registration were suggested as well as direct contacts with Director of Council and Affiliate Services during the workshop.

6.      Best practices in literacy development had been presented with sharing active program planning, evaluation and follow-up activities, and management issues to building up strong councils.

7.      There was a felt need from National Affiliates and Councils to put more emphases on adult literacy improvement program, the continuing yearly workshop on a small scale for professional development, followed by joint literacy research study.

CONCLUSION

The International Development in Asia Committee (IDAC) and the organizing committee wish to make special thanks and gratitude to :

1. International Reading Association (IRA), especially The Council and Affiliate Services, International Development Division, for full financial supports and travel assistances.
2. The School of Languages, Literacies, and Translation, Universiti Sains Malaysia,  for the efficient team of local co-organizing committee,

Many thanks go to all IDAC members, participants, and all personnel in rendering services as presenters, moderators, during the workshop. The workshop would not have been successful without the full supports from the above organization. More details of the essence of discussions and presentations from the workshop will be disseminated and published on-line, please visit the IDAC website at idacasia.com.

(Note)  Financial Report and Evaluation will be reported by Council & Affiliate Services)

Uthai Piromruen, IDAC Chair         Ambigapathy Pandian, IDAC Vice Chair

Bangkok, Thailand                              Penang, Malaysia

January 15, 2009