CONFERENCE | FIGHTING ILLITERACY: CHANGING COURSE

The Hérault Departmental Media Library and CRIA CEREGARD invite you on September 24, 2026, to the half-day event "Fighting Illiteracy: Changing Course" at the Domaine départemental de Pierresvives, organized as part of the national action days against illiteracy initiated by the National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy (ANCLI) and co-financed by DRAC Occitanie.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED, by email at mediathequepierresvives@herault.fr
It is also possible to follow the conferences remotely.

Morning Program:

09:15 – 09:30
Opening

Jean-André ITHIER — Head of the Hérault Departmental Media Library

09:30 – 10:15
Definitions and State of Play of Illiteracy in Hérault

Véronique JOULIÉ — Project Manager at ANLCI for Occitanie

Illiteracy, what exactly are we talking about: definition, impacts on society, some national data, and a focus on the Hérault department with new departmental fact sheets. The stakes. Presentation of the missions of the National Agency for the Fight Against Illiteracy (ANLCI).

Stephen BERTRAND — Technical and Educational Advisor for Hérault at CRIA CEREGARD (Resource Center for Illiteracy Language Learning)

The CRIA: tools to raise awareness, inform, professionalize actors, support working groups, closely aligned with local territories. A quick presentation of the illiteracy resource mission in Hérault, carried by CEREGARD alongside other local actors that will be mentioned. Brief introduction of the speakers.

10:15 – 11:30
Voices of Those Affected

Anne VINÉRIER — Doctor in Education Sciences. Author of several works.
Two AMBASSADORS — Members of the Chain of Knowledge.

Better understanding the needs expressed by people struggling with basic knowledge, imagining other ways to reach this audience so they can resume a path of relearning is essential to rethink the fight against illiteracy (and how to finance it) and to discuss the issue differently by questioning the terms we use as well as the figures from polling institutes. Anne VINÉRIER, drawing on numerous testimonies, suggests highlighting more suitable support. The two "ambassadors" from the "Chain of Knowledge" will share their journeys, the obstacles encountered, but also the levers conducive to changes they have been able to seize. They will also discuss successes and some missteps in supporting their illiteracy situation. Exchanges with the audience will be encouraged.

Anne VINÉRIER: A field trainer, then a trainer of trainers, she also initiated training for mediators to reach these individuals and support them on a path of relearning. With learners, she participated in the creation of the Chain of Knowledge movement. Author of several reference works including the recent "Fighting Illiteracy: Changing Course."

The Chain of Knowledge: The "links" of this chain raise awareness of the issue of illiteracy by participating in public meetings, conferences to mobilize the public and relay needs to local partners. They intervene in training for trainers, mediators (relay persons), participate in training, research, and actions... to advance the understanding of the issue of illiteracy.

11:30 – 12:30
Writing to Understand: The Journey of the Approach

Pascale LASSABLIERE — Trainer in literacy, French as a foreign language.

There is initially what could be seen as a paradox: "Showing that it is possible to allow oneself to write about what crushes, we could say to 'authorize oneself'. Telling one's own experience with writing as a tool. Of course, this requires 'shifting methods and support postures, thinking of a form of facilitation in which everyone feels free to search, to write with gaps, and to imagine tools to circumvent the difficulty of accessing the technical gesture of writing'. Ultimately, it is also a tool of humanity when it allows one to recognize oneself and to meet the other.

Pascale LASSABLIÈRE has worked for 10 years in the field of literacy and the fight against illiteracy in associative, school, and prison environments. Author of "The Writing Workshop to Support Life Stories."

Find all practical information and plan your visit.