<< Background >>A major factor in exclusion and discrimination, illiteracy remains a problem in both France and Belgium. Access to written documents and books - including literature - helps to transform the identity of adults affected by this problem (migrants and the majority of the most disadvantaged groups). They dare to think of themselves as fully-fledged citizens, capable of exercising their critical faculties. Drawing on their expertise in the field and sharing the same observation, the Centre de Ressources Illettrisme Auvergne (France) and the ASBL Lire et Ecrire Luxembourg (Belgium) applied for funding for this project. This funding: > enabled professionals and volunteers from both organisations to discover other ways of working, so as to enrich their methodological approaches by including the innovative tools and expertise proposed by each of the partners. The needs of each partner were met. Exchanges between partners are now systematic.The ‘distance learning’ approach.> has enabled the voice and expertise of people who are far from the mainstream (learners in literacy training at ASBL Lire et Ecrire Luxembourg) to be fully expressed. << Objectives >>>Enabled volunteers and literacy and illiteracy trainers to develop new skills (use of teaching tools to run events for remote audiences; better understanding of the concept of Easy to Read in each country, etc.).>To enable professionals in the cultural sector (media librarians, authors, etc.) mobilised by CRI Auvergne and Lire et Ecrire Lux to get to know and get to know a remote audience and to develop their approach. >Mutualise the expertise, practices and resources of each of the associations in order to be as close as possible to the needs and expectations of adult learners from disadvantaged backgrounds (economic, cultural, social, geographical, etc.).>Develop innovative tools in partnership (teaching sheets on La Traversée novels).>Promote the transfer of know-how between the two countries, particularly in terms of setting up a back-to-work project. >Giving a voice to learners in literacy training, highlighting their expertise in a subject (illiteracy) that they experience in their own lives. Enabling them to gain self-confidence, giving them back the power to act.<< Implementation >>During the project, four four-day periods (including two days' travel) were organised.>Two four-day periods were set aside for preparation days to help build the content of the periods offered to the groups. >Two four-day periods were set aside for themed study trips (Facile à Lire and l'imaginaire en alpha).Learners in literacy training were able to get directly involved in each study trip. When the group mobilised by the CRI Auvergne came to Belgium, they took part in a round table to work on the content of teaching sheets on the novels in the La Traversée collection.In Auvergne, at a media library, they discovered and took part in the work of an integration project specialising in covering books for the media libraries of the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area.A visit to the editorial office of the La Montagne newspaper provided an opportunity to learn about journalism, its development and the various stages involved in editing a daily newspaper. << Results >>>Ongoing training for around fifty professionals (literacy and illiteracy trainers, guidance officers, CRI and Lire et Ecrire Luxembourg professionals, Mission Locale counsellors) and a small number of volunteers from the two entities through the discovery of innovative practices deployed by each of the partners.>Recognition and enhancement of the expertise of people in remote areas. 11 learners in literacy training at Lire et Ecrire Luxembourg took part in the project from start to finish. There were no drop-outs. >Development of cooperation between two French-speaking areas in France and Belgium. As part of this project, professionals from the CRI-Auvergne and its network were involved in the construction of teaching sheets on the novels in the La Traversée collection. Learners and professionals from Lire et Ecrire Luxembourg were involved in a work placement on the book trade. These themes will now be explored on both sides of the border. This cooperation will continue over time through exchanges of resources, practices, etc.
