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Literacy for Life Foundation

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Literacy for Life Foundation
TypeNon-profit organisation
FoundedMay 2013
FocusImproving literacy levels within the adult Aboriginal community in Australia
Key PeopleJack Beetson, Executive Director
Websitelflf.org.au

Literacy for Life Foundation is an Aboriginal Australian not-for-profit organisation focused on improving the literacy levels among Aboriginal Australians. It was formed in 2013 by three prominent Aboriginal leaders, Pat Anderson, Donna Ah Chee, and Jack Beetson, in partnership with leading international construction company Brookfield Multiplex, to drive the National Aboriginal Adult Literacy Campaign across Australia.[1]

Background

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The prevalence of low to very low adult English literacy levels in First Nations communities in Australia continues to be a challenge, despite a decade of government-supported Foundation Skills training provided through the national vocational education and training system.[2]

Regardless of whether they live in urban, rural or remote areas, up to 65% of Aboriginal people have low English literacy. A 2013 study suggested that around 40% of Aboriginal adults[3] were at or below Level One on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).[4] The minimum level necessary to succeed in most training, study and employment opportunities is Level Two or Three.

The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples report (UN, 2009) noted that, in 2006 Indigenous Australians had higher unemployment rates, a median income just over half of non-Indigenous Australians, be less likely to own their own home and more likely to experience overcrowding, with conditions worsening to food and water insecurity in remote and rural communities.[5] These conditions are closely tied to low English literacy rates which limit opportunities in formal employment and access to vital services, with the Joyce Review into Australia’s vocational education and training system identifying low levels of English literacy as a major challenge for the vocational education sector.[2]

Campaign model

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The "campaign model" used by the Literacy for Life Foundation originated in Cuba as the "Yes, I Can" ("Yo, sí puedo") model and was applied in Australia to meet the needs of Indigenous communities following a three-year pilot stage managed by the University of New England in partnership with IPLAC and the Lowitja Foundation, funded by the Australian and NSW governments. By 2010, the "Yes I Can / Yo, sí puedo" model had been used with more than 6 million people in 28 countries to learn to read and write. In Timor-Leste, more than 200,000 people graduated within five years.[6]

The Literacy for Life Campaign aim is to raise the level of English literacy among adults in the communities with which it works, within a specified period of time. Each literacy campaign uses a three phase ‘whole-of-community’ model [2] The foundation works with local Aboriginal organisations, government agencies, councils, church groups and elders to contribute and build towards the common goal of enhancing literacy levels for all adults in the community. Local community members are trained as campaign coordinators and facilitators supported by professional adult educators. Because Literacy for Life campaigns are run with a high degree of local Indigenous autonomy and national Indigenous leadership, the acquisition of literacy is contextually relevant to and embedded in the life experiences of the Indigenous facilitators and students.[7] In 2016, the retention rate of 67% was over five times the retention for VET system courses at a similar level.[8]

Campaigns

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The University of New England piloted the campaign model in Bourke, Enngonia and Wilcannia in remote New South Wales, Australia with multiple intakes of students beginning 2012 until June 2014. Almost 80 people graduated across these three communities.[9] The Literacy for Life Foundation planned to launch the campaign in Brewarrina in the second half of 2014.[10]

Since the first literacy campaign in Wilcannia in 2012, 258 First Nations adults have graduated, and a 2022 study assessing 63 participants over six of the Literacy for Life campaign sites showed a 73% improvement in literacy based on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).[11]

As of 2023, Campaigns now run in at least 14 locations across NSW, QLD and the NT, including Yarrabah, Tennant Creek, Ltyntye Apurte, Enngonia, Bourke, Wilcania, Brewarrina, Walget, Collarenebri, Boggabilla, Toomelah and Coonamble.[12]

Improvements in literacy associated with the campaign have had a positive impact on reducing offending rates.[13][14]

Recognition

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NSW State Parliament

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The success of the national literacy Campaign pilot was formally recognised by the Parliament of NSW on 14 May 2014 when a motion moved by Catherine Cusack MLC was passed unanimously.[15]

Cynthis Briggs Empowerment through Education Award

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The Literacy for Life Foundation was awarded the inaugural Cynthia Briggs Empowerment through Education Award[16] as recognition of an educational collaboration that ensure a more sustainable and self-determining future.[17]

Governance

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The Literacy for Life Foundation is governed by five Board Members, as of 2023:

Dr Ludwig is a Kungarakan and Gurindji woman from Darwin. Her lifelong work as an educator and knowledge holder formed part of the recommendation from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium (NATSIHEC).[19]

  • Professor Jack Beetson - Executive Director and National Campaign Coordinator

Professor Jack Beetson is a Ngemba man from Brewarrina, Western NSW and a prominent figure in Aboriginal adult literacy.[20][21] He has been actively involved in Indigenous education in Australia and internationally for over 30 years and is the Executive Director of the Literacy for Life Foundation.

Pat Anderson is an Alyawarre woman who has received an honorary doctorate and an Order of Australia for her leadership in promoting improved health and educational outcomes.[23] This work includes her continuous service on the board of Literacy for Life Foundation since 2013[24] She is a prominent 'Yes' advocate of the 2023 Voice Referendum.

Flecker is a founding Director of the Literacy for Life Foundation, a Board Member and former President of the Australian Constructors Association and is on the Board of Trustees of The Scotch College (WA) Foundation (Inc) and the school council.[26]

Aroney is Executive Director of Operations at Brookfield Multiplex, and the Company Secretary and Board member of the Literacy for Life Foundation.[28]

Notable partnerships

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The Literacy for Life Foundation have several founding partners:[29]

In 2014, the Literacy for Life Foundation partnered with the Penrith Panthers rugby league team. The Literacy for Life Foundation logo appeared in the lower back position on the 2014 jersey[30] and Penrith Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould attended the March 2014 graduation ceremony in Bourke.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "Literacy for Life Foundation". lflf.org.au. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Boughton, Bob; Williamson, Frances; Lin, Sophia; Taylor, Richard; Beetson, Jack; Bartlett, Ben; Anderson, Pat; Morrell, Stephen (11 February 2022). "Measuring adult English literacy improvements in First Nations communities in Australia". International Journal of Training Research. 20 (3): 248–263. doi:10.1080/14480220.2022.2032268. ISSN 1448-0220.
  3. ^ Boughton, Bob; Ah Chee, Donna; Beetson, Jack; Durnan, Deborah; Leblanch, Josie 'Chala' (2013). "An Aboriginal Adult Literacy Campaign Pilot Study in Australia using Yes I Can". Literacy and Numeracy Studies. 21 (1): 25. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.692.2899.
  4. ^ "Australian Core Skills Framework Official Website". Australian Government Department of Industry. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  5. ^ Everett, N. (8 October 2008). "Yes I Can: an adult literacy campaign for Indigenous Australians?". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Boughton, Bob (2010). "Back to the future?: Timor-Leste, Cuba and the return of the mass literacy campaign". Literacy and Numeracy Studies. 18 (2): 58–73.
  7. ^ Boughton, Bob (9 September 2020), "Adult Literacy, Land Rights and Self-Determination", Indigenous Self-Determination in Australia, ANU Press, pp. 167–188, doi:10.2307/j.ctv1bvncz1.13, retrieved 7 October 2023
  8. ^ Foundation, Literacy for Life (1 November 2016). "Literacy for Life Foundation receives inaugural award from the Australian College of Educators". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  9. ^ Boughton, Bob; Durnan, Deborah (31 May 2014). "Cuba's "Yes, I Can" mass adult literacy campaign model in Timor-Leste and Aboriginal Australia: A comparative study". Journal of Lifelong Learning. 60 (International Review of Education): 16. doi:10.1007/s11159-014-9421-5.
  10. ^ Literacy for Life Foundation. "Campaigns". lflf.org.au. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  11. ^ Boughton, Bob; Williamson, Frances; Lin, Sophia; Taylor, Richard; Beetson, Jack; Bartlett, Ben; Anderson, Pat; Morrell, Stephen (11 February 2022). "Measuring adult English literacy improvements in First Nations communities in Australia". International Journal of Training Research. 20 (3): 248–263. doi:10.1080/14480220.2022.2032268. ISSN 1448-0220.
  12. ^ "Literacy Campaigns". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  13. ^ Boughton, Bob; Ah Chee, Donna; Beetson, Jack; Durnan, Deborah; LeBlanch, Jose Chala (24 June 2013). "An Aboriginal Adult Literacy Campaign Pilot Study in Australia using Yes I Can". Literacy and Numeracy Studies. 21 (1): 5–32. doi:10.5130/lns.v21i1.3328. ISSN 1839-2903.
  14. ^ Beetson, Jack; Anderson, Pat; Lin, Sophia; Williamson, Frances; Amazan, Rose; Boughton, Bob; Morrell, Stephen; Taylor, Richard; Schwartz, Melanie (15 May 2022). "Impact of a Community-Controlled Adult Literacy Campaign on Crime and Justice Outcomes in Remote Australian Aboriginal Communities". International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy. 11 (1). doi:10.5204/ijcjsd.2201. ISSN 2202-8005.
  15. ^ "NSW State Parliament Motion". www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. NSW State Parliament. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  16. ^ Foundation, Literacy for Life (1 November 2016). "Literacy for Life Foundation receives inaugural award from the Australian College of Educators". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  17. ^ Australian Council for Education Leaders & New England Education Cooperative (n.d.) List of Awards - ACEL. https://media.acel.org.au/Branch/NSW/2023/2023%20Intention%20to%20Nominate_ACEL%20NEEC.pdf
  18. ^ "Our Board". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  19. ^ "Wendy Ludwig". Charles Darwin University. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Voice would 'lift quality of life for everybody'". Shepparton News. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  21. ^ Austlit. "Jack Beetson | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  22. ^ "The Lowitja Institute Website - Board". Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  23. ^ "Patricia Anderson AO". Australian of the Year. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  24. ^ Foundation, Literacy for Life (17 February 2023). "Board member Pat Anderson AO featured in Good Weekend Magazine". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Brookfield Multiplex - Australasian Executive". Brookfield Multiplex. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  26. ^ "John Flecker". Multiplex. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Brookfield Multiplex - Australasian Executive Group". Brookfield Multiplex. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
  28. ^ "Don Aroney". Multiplex. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Partners". Literacy for Life Foundation. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  30. ^ Boulous, Chris (19 March 2014). "Players support literacy". Penrith City Gazette. Fairfax Regional Media. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  31. ^ "Literacy for Life recognised in Parliament". Penrith Panthers. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
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