More than seven million Canadian adults lack the language and literacy skills needed to reach their full potential in work and life. And the number is not decreasing. The next generation deserves better.

"We're engaged in an expanding dialogue that we hope contributes to a national literacy strategy and agenda," says Dan Sinai, Managing Director of the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network. "It's the only way to focus attention, align activities and generate results."

In three short years, The Network has connected the social, medical and natural science communities in early childhood language and literacy development. The Network has accomplished this under the guidance of Martin Walmsley, Chair of the Board, Donald G. Jamieson, CEO and Scientific Director and Dan Sinai, Managing Director. It is the first multi-disciplined approach to this national issue. It is based on an effective partnering structure featuring conferences, workshops, Internet communications and cross-country research collaboration.

"Our strategic focus from the start was to get people working together," says Sinai. "Now our scientific community sees the big picture as they work toward solutions for our children. But the next challenge - and the bigger challenge - is to connect our science to policy and then to practice."

The Network is leading by example:

• The research component of the equation is underway at 29 universities and institutions across Canada.
• Knowledge is being transferred through partners like The Hanen Centre, Alberta Learning, Healthy Child Manitoba and Fédération canadienne pour l'alphabétisation en français (FCAF).
• We have built a database of more than 2000 interested, involved participants in language and literacy education, investigation and practice.
• We have distributed 30,000 preschool language stimulation calendars to child care professionals across Canada.
• Our evidence-based science is having an impact. The Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education (SAEE) is applying Network-generated knowledge to measure program effectiveness in schools and evaluate results based on rigorous methodology.
• The Network includes more than 250 students in research across the country as part of its Highly Qualified Personnel program.

"We're taking what we're learning and transferring it to where it will do the most good," says Sinai. "The Network is functioning as a team, and creating a solid base of evidence-based intelligence as a result. But we have to get it to a critical mass where it is self-sustaining. We have micro-partnerships for knowledge transfers – now we have to go national to impact policy from the top down and from every angle. We have more work to do."

The Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network is focused on its vision and setting direction for its future: to partner; to empower participation; to impact language and literacy policy on a national scale; and to discover solutions.

"We have to impact government policy to be successful," concludes Sinai. "We have to put our science to work, in partnership with practitioners and clinics, in schools with teachers, at home with parents, and ultimately to the benefit of children across Canada. That's the only result that matters."