Cooperation between the University of Hamburg and the Hamburger VolkshochschuleAcademic Event on International Literacy Day

27 August 2024, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: Universität Hamburg / Esfandiari

At the University, the research group Life-Long Learning focuses on literacy and illiteracy.

More than 6 million people in Germany cannot read or write properly. On 5 September 2024, Life-Long Learning at the University of Hamburg and the Hamburger Volkshochschule invite the public for a discussion on the occasion of International Literacy Day. Together, participants will look at current topics and questions in the research area that remain unanswered.

The public is cordially invited to the event with researchers and educational practitioners. From 10 am to 3:30 pm on 5 September, the event will focus on the many consequences of not being able to read, write, or do math; the possible causes; and how to strengthen these skills. Basic education in a broad sense plays an important role.

Low literacy and AI

Planned topics for talks and discussions are, among other things, navigating generative AI with low levels of literacy, meaning limited reading and writing abilities, and the special challenges facing women with low levels of literacy when it comes to pregnancy and birth. The event will also focus on research questions that have so far been largely ignored.

Ksenija Bekeris, Hamburg’s senator for schools and vocational education; Prof. Dr. Natalia Filatkina, vice president for studies and teaching at the University of Hamburg; Uwe Grieger, director of the Hamburger Volkshochschule; and Prof. Dr. Claus Krieger, dean of the Faculty of Education, will open the event.

The event is free. The exact venue will be sent after you sign up. The registration deadline is 20 August.