Adult Literacy Research Program asks: What is Literacy?

Adult Literacy Research Program presents research interrogating both human capital and social capital litreracy models. This comprehensive body of research examines literacy and numeracy topics.

It found that "Based on the research, there appear to be three main
conceptions
of literacy with currency in Australia today, with implications
for policy-making and teaching/learning:

• a cognitive, individual-based model associated with a psychometric
  tradition, quantifiable levels of ability, and a deficit approach to
  'illiteracy', which is assumed to be both an outcome of individual inadequacy,
  and a causal factor in unemployment
• an economics-driven model generally associated with workforce
  training, multiskilling, productivity, 'functional' literacy and notions of
  human capital
• a sociocultural model which is most commonly associated with
  contextualised and multiple literacy practices, a valuing of the 'other',
  and a strong critical element.

In general, literacy today is perceived to be social by nature rather than merely an individual's set of skills, and there is consensus among literacy researchers that the meaning of literacy depends on the context in which it is being used" (Lonsdale & McCurry, p14).

Thinking about starting a social purpose enterprise

Thinking about social enterprise project, this Canadian website offers a range of start information that might be useful in germinating your ideas.

Starting up a Playgroup

This resource has been developed as a stand alone community capacity building tool to assist in the training required to set up and run a playgroup. The resource was a joint initiative of the Department of Education and Training, Families NSW as part of the Pacific Communities Project.
Karen Dixon further developed the materials as part of a Learnscope NSW project and taught the course for St George TAFE Outreach and packaged the materials available on this wiki. The resource is to be used by community organisations with a qualified facilitator in the context of an appropriate qualifcation. The material was originally delivered within an Outreach qualification.

Mentoring and Leadership Program for African Women

This resource provides practical information for individuals and organisations who are keen to develop projects with small and emerging African refugee communities. This kit is targeted at CCD workers, CSSS workers, health and education workers, artists and arts workers, generalist community workers and community members who are working with or intend to work with small and emerging African communities in Australia.

Our Community - a resource

Our Community is rich in resources, tools and information to support community strengthening and community capacity building projects.

Our Community is a world-leading social enterprise providing advice and tools for Australia's 700,000 community groups and schools, and practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government.