2006 Information Literacy Summit: American Competitiveness in the Internet Age

For more information, visit www.infolitsummit.com.
Oct 16 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Government, education and business leaders engaged in panel discussions and shared their perspectives on information literacy and its impact on the global society, workforce readiness, and public policy in the United States. The program began broadly by examining information literacy from an international perspective and then took a closer look at the current status in the United States. The goal was to develop a comprehensive strategy on how to raise awareness and promote change to produce a highly skilled information literate society in the United States.

The event was sponsored by the National Forum on Information Literacy in partnership with the Committee for Economic Development; Educational Testing Service (ETS); the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and the National Education Association.

BACKGROUND:
In January 2006, President Bush announced the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), calling for new advances in research, science and technology with an emphasis on improving the nation's education system and its workforce. This initiative can only be successful in so far as policy-makers, business leaders and educators address the reality that America's economic growth and world leadership depends on its ability to advance technologically and empower people to make effective use of information gained through technology. Students will contribute to this workforce; they need to know how to use ever-evolving technology to locate, evaluate, manage and use information effectively. The 2006 Information Literacy Summit will address these issues.

Monday, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
National Education Association, Auditorium (lower level)
1201 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036

Panelists include:

• Abdelaziz Abid, UNESCO
• Patrick M. Callan, The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education
• Les Francis, Goddard/Claussen Strategic Advocacy
• Margaret Honey, Education Development Center
• Jan Magill, Institute for a Competitive Workforce (affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
• Lorie Roth, California State University
• Andrea L. Taylor, Microsoft Corporation
• Robert Wedgeworth, ProLiteracy Worldwide
• Ralph Wolff, Western Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities