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Madison – Linda Venekamp and Vicki Sterling joined over 1,000 educators from around the world at the International Reading Association’s 17^th World Congress on Reading in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on July 21-24^th. The theme of the conference was "Global Literacy: Dialogue Makes a Difference."

"The 17^th World Congress is designed to provide everyone multiple opportunities to dialogue with others about significant issues in the field of literacy education," said Kathryn Ranson, president of the 90,000 member Association. The International Reading Association is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to improving reading instruction and promoting literacy worldwide.

Venekamp and Sterling, both professors for the College of Education, presented "Building Bridges of Understanding." According to both professors, the Internet has opened up the world for teachers and students. Folktales provide a window that allows the reader to view another culture by seeing that cultures art and technology, understand its institutions, and here its own language. The session provided many Internet sites for reference and provided an opportunity for comparison and discussion.

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