Report: Summary of Facilitator’s Report
Thursday and Friday Morning
In between sessions during the first day and a half, participants were asked to brainstorm at their respective tables on three questions. The following are some of the issues that came up in response to these questions.
“What do we want a Canadian Reading Plan creating a nation of readers to look like?”
The vision is that the Canadian Reading Plan will be clearly defined and focused; inclusive and widely accessible program that establishes reading as an enjoyable stimulating activity. This strongly promoted plan will be nationally supported and locally leveraged. It will have a strong family and child focus to seed reading for life. The content will be strongly Canadian.
“What are the key outcomes you would want to see from a Canadian Reading Program?”
• Culture of Reading present in all Canadians
• Measurable increases in all key assessments
• Increased awareness of Canadian authors
• Diversified funding and leadership supporting a unified focus
“What do you think are the major blacks to achieving this program and these outcomes?”
• Little clarity and understanding of the issue and its complexity limits political will, funding, business involvement
• Problem and vision not clearly articulated and focused —- no clear objectives
• Long time horizon makes it difficult to make the case and show the payback and sustain commitment
• Few champions and lobbyists
• Current programs and interest groups create silos that hinder a coordinated integrated effort.
• Low profile of the issue limits public awareness
• Not having or empowering a leader/organization limits our ability to move from vision to action in an organized way.
• “Elitist” image of reading in society limits understanding of value —- stigma
• Female dominated professionals over against male dominated politics and trying to teach boys to read
• Limiting our focus (definition) to books/fiction and only Canadian books
Friday Afternoon
On Friday afternoon the group was asked to review the work done in response to the first three questions and answer the question “What would be helpful next steps in developing the Canadian Reading Plan(s)?” It was emphasized that this might be more than one plan. Participants gathered at tables according to interest groups and responded. Their results were reported on flip charts at the end of the day.
In summation the following next steps were discussed:
• Research
• Establish the necessary infrastructure to move this forward successfully
• Develop the Mission/purpose, Vision, Goals and Implementation teams
• Formulate a Marketing and Communications Plan
• Advocacy Plan that Leverages support for the Reading Plans
• Ideas for the Next Summit
