World Education Panels at SXSW EDU 2024

Literacy is foundational to all of life’s successes. Gone are the days of believing literacy is limited to just language. Literacy–including digital, civic, and oral literacy, among others–is fundamental to all of life’s successes and we need your help to bring 3 panels that discuss leveraging technology in our communities to support literacy development to SXSW EDU. Please help us elevate the important issues of digital navigation services and adult literacy at this leading conference in which we can change minds and the future.

Sessions are chosen in part by popular support, so we need you to vote for our panel proposals on PanelPicker! You can vote for each proposal one time. Voting is open now and runs through August 20th. To vote, sign in to PanelPicker or create a free SXSW account with just your email.

Co-Designing Connected Communities, Bridging the Tech Divide

Establishing digital access and skills is imperative to success in today’s economy. Persistent gaps in access to technology and opportunities to develop digital skills exacerbate existing disparities, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and people of color. Research shows the value of educators having lived experience, cultural and language competencies, and community trust. This panel will share the successes while exploring challenges of co-designing digital navigation services in established community-based organizations along with AT&T.

Reading Between the Lines: The Case for Adult Education

The evidence is undeniable: Increasing adult literacy would help break cycles of intergenerational poverty, boost our GDP, and improve individual and community wellbeing. Yet more than 40 million Americans — nearly one in five adults — read below the equivalent of a third-grade level. And only a small portion of these adults have access to adult education programs. This is a pervasive, complex problem but it is solvable. Learn about federal and philanthropic initiatives — from open innovation to collective impact — that are expanding access to vital education and training opportunities.

ALL IN: Activating Human Potential via Multiple Literacies

In the age of information, the types of literacies needed to participate in society have increased dramatically. These literacies include civic, digital, financial, health, information, and oral literacy, among others, all of which correlate to strong foundational literacy skills. But more than half (54%) of adults in the United States struggle with foundational literacy skills. Join leaders from ALL IN to learn about their innovative, collaborative, community-centered approach to moving the needle on multiple literacies in the U.S., and how you can be a part of the solution!

Voting ends on August 20, 2023. With more than 6,000 submissions to choose from, we need your support! Help be a driving force to support literacy acquisition supported by technology!