Bridging Literacy and Sustainability:
The 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Literacy
From October 4–7, 2025, literacy professionals from 30 countries across nearly every continent gathered in Tallinn, Estonia, for the 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Literacy – “Literacy Environments: Environmental Literacy.” The event was organized by the Estonian Reading Association in cooperation with Tallinn University, the University of Tartu, and the Federation of European Literacy Associations (FELA)—a regional partner of the International Literacy Association (ILA).
The four-day conference explored how reading and learning environments can promote both literacy development and environmental awareness. Participants engaged in keynote lectures, interactive workshops, and discussions addressing early literacy, multilingualism, digital competencies, and the role of artificial intelligence in education, as well as the growing links between environmental literacy and sustainability education.
Among the keynote speakers were Maria Deskur, Polish publisher and social entrepreneur; Professor Paavo H. T. Leppänen from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland; and Indrek Park, anthropologist and linguist at Indiana University, USA. New creative perspectives were offered by storyteller and teacher educator Piret Päär, Scottish outdoor learning specialists Ally Sangster and Irene Bews, and composer Aleksandr Žedeljov.
A lively closing panel invited participants to reflect on the future of literacy environments, sustainable education, and teacher professionalism, sparking cross-border dialogue on how reading culture connects with environmental responsibility.
The event showcased meaningful international collaboration and the joy of shared learning, complemented by school visits, cultural activities, and opportunities to explore historic Tallinn.
More information is available at www.6bscl.com.
The conference was co-funded by the City of Tallinn and the European Union.
6th Baltic Sea Conference Video Links
6th BSCL - Plenary - Opening Session - Saturday, October 4, 2025
6th BSCL - Plenary Session - Sunday, October 5, 2025
6th BSCL - Panel Discussion - Closing Session - Monday, October 6, 2025