UNESCO TTT Workshop on Information Literacy

Introduction
The Fifth UNESCO TTT Workshop on Information Literacy (IL) has come to an end. UNESCO has understood and identified the next educational move that is needed to take our society to the next level, namely, so that our society becomes a society of lifelong learners (LLL). Consequently, only then we can speak about the "Information Society" or even the "Knowledge Society".


Information Literacy is Key
Without doubt, IL is KEY for the 21st century student, parent, adult, researcher, academic, professor and all who desire to become LLLs. It is only through a solid and secure training in IL that a LLL is possible to emerge. IL encompasses all other literacies which are necessary. IL builds upon the other literacies, such as:
(i) reading;
(ii) computer;
(iii) media;
(iv) visual;
All of these different literacies form the basis of IL. An IL Program builds upon and furthers these literacies.


The UNESCO TTT Workshop
All the Workshop was a great event. Everything was catered for by our host: Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. There, all the participants had all there needs met, including, an excellent venue for the lectures, workshop area with a WiFi network for seven laptops, refreshment area and also a dining area.

Another aspect of the conference was the food. I can truly say that although I have not tasted each food item, yet, the food was delicious indeed. Besides, some of the Turkish food was the same as Maltese food.

Without doubt, the speakers were of top-notch calibre. Each speaker took time to explain in detail each item. Yet, each one of the speaker maintained a very friendly approach which continued to broaden our relationship with each one of them.


The Programme
As can be seen from the Workshop Program, the extensive coverage of every aspect of IL was covered from 'top to bottom': theoretical and practical, pedagogical and curricular. After each lecture, we were divided randomly into groups and started our workshop. These workshops were intended so that participants will put into practice their new learnt knowledge. The beauty of these types of workshops is that at the same time, cross-fertilization of ideas, methods and styles comes out to the fore through the intense and diverse interactions. Social networking is at its peak in these types of settings. It is actually during these interactions that most of the acquired knowledge is understood, clarified and accentuated. These workshops are what makes the conference excel and reach powerful heights.


What's Next?
Without doubt, a lot of analysis and assimilation of all the new material/Knowledge gained must take place in the coming weeks or months. Understanding thoroughly what has been delivered by the excellent speakers is a must. Therefore, taking time to reflect, read and assimilate the content of each lecture is necessary.

Another thing is to consolidate the IL Vision. This needs to be clear not only for me but also for the other persons who will be involved in delivering the IL Program especially because the IL Program leads to LLL, the information society and the knowledge society.

Also, the IL Vision has to be communicated and hopefully be implemented in the educational system. This is my aim. I know that there is a need at all the educational levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. In my six years as a school librarian in a private secondary school, the need to have an IL Program as part of the curriculum and as evidence based practice became ever more clear to me.