Inside Education December 2000

ACEA Recognition

Over the past two years, ACEA has spearheaded an initiative to develop and implement a national council to represent correctional education. A special task force from our executive was set up to proceed with the initiative. This group put together a comprehensive plan that included a name, mission statement, goals and values statement and constitution. We also developed a marketing plan, complete with a membership packet for each province or region in Canada.

The result of this is evident. The Correctional Education Council of Canada is a reality and currently British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec are setting up, or have set up, a provincial/regional association. From each of these regions, a representative will have a seat on the executive of the CECC. The CECC will then in turn, provide national representation, leadership, research and develop professional development opportunities. CECC is also mandated to provide an advocacy role for correctional education in Canada.

At the Literacy 2000 Conference in Ottawa, ACEA was formally recognized for our role as leaders in the development and promotion of Correctional Education in Canada. As you may have heard, ACEA was presented with an award. Dr. Ole Ingstrup, Commissioner of Correctional Service of Canada (at that time) presented us with an original art piece; a glass "inukshuk" created by an Inuit artist. This public recognition solidifies our position as the "representative organization" for correctional education in Western Canada.