International Reading Seminar

 

IDEC (the European Committee of the International Reading Association) held its Winter Seminar in St Patrick’s College on 19 January.  The theme of the seminar was Learning a Second Language and Teacher Education in Reading/Literacy.  Speakers included Tina Hickey, University College Dublin; Marie Ernestová, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic;  Paata Papava, School-Family-Society Association, Georgia;. Eithne Kennedy, St Patrick’s College; Simona Elena Bernat, RWCT Association, Romania; Ulla-Britt Persson, Linköping University, Sweden; Henrietta Dombey, United Kingdom Literacy Association; Sandra Kalnina, University of Latvia.

The seminar was organised by Bernadette Dwyer and Eithne Kennedy, of St Patrick's College both past Presidents of the Reading Association of Ireland.  Welcoming the delegates who came from all over Europe, Dr Travers the praised the work of IDEC and, in particular, acknowledged the work of Gerry Shiel in this area.  Gerry Sheil of the ERC is current chair of IDEC.

IDEC’s ongoing activities include the organisation of committee meetings and seminars, the European Conference on Reading (which takes place every two years), and leadership workshops.  It liaises with the International Reading Association on behalf of European affiliates.  IDEC also engages in research activities (including its ‘Schools Where Literacy Thrives’ project).  It’s website is at www.literacyeurope.org. Its representatives are leaders of national reading associations in Europe that are affiliated to the International Reading Association. Currently, over 30 countries are affiliated in IDEC.

Participants in the seminar included representatives from Georgia and Kazakhstan.  In May 2007, the International Reading Association will launch a new region, Eurasia.  Current IDEC members Georgia and Kazakhstan will join the new region, as well as Tajikistan, Armenia, and Moldova.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Friday January 26 2007