International Projects

• International
• Affiliation with the International Reading Association
• Connections with the rest of Europe
• Books for Africa
  • Book boxes for the Gambia
  • Libraries for Zanzibar
• Volunteering to teach overseas
• Exchange Opportunities

Connections with the rest of Europe

UKLA is a key member of the IRA’s International Development in Europe Committee (IDEC), which brings together all IRA affiliated associations on this continent. IDEC acts as a forum for the exchange of practice and ideas. It holds twice yearly meetings, usually combined with seminars for local teachers, and a large conference every two years. In August 2007, Berlin was the venue for a lively and well attended conference, Checkpoint Literacy , the 15th European Conference on Reading, with participants from 27 European countries. UKLA provided a strong input for this conference both at the planning stage and through a number of well-received parallel presentations.

In late January 2008, there was a lively seminar organised by our Romanian hosts, in the lovely city of Cluj, followed by a ‘Leadership Workshop’ organised jointly by IDEC and the IRA and involving participants from 32 European countries. 

After this, a meeting of IDEC members decided on the fine detail of the statutes, the ruling document for the Federation of European Literacy Associations (FELA). As a committee of a US based organisation, IDEC is not eligible to apply for various European grants . UKLA’s Executive Committee has already endorsed the idea of FELA and approved the draft statutes.

With the same membership as IDEC and with the by, FELA will allow the European Associations more freedom of action, particularly in applications for European funds.  Its establishment heralds a new chapter in the co-operation and interaction between the very many European literacy associations. 

For further information go to the IDEC website at http://www.literacyeurope.org.