Indeed, it is sobering to reflect that some of the countries which have had particularly good economic growth in recent years, such as Australia and the United States, have literacy levels not significantly higher than New Zealand's.
May I also warmly acknowledge the presence and sacrifice made by the various speakers and contributors, several of them coming from very far; we look forward to hearing their insights and sharing of experiences, not only in this workshop, but hopefully also being the start of networks for ongoing consultations and benchmarking arrangements.