Current awareness is the term used to describe staying informed by keeping up to date with the latest publications, research and news in your field.
The perspective of current awareness is the present and the forthcoming, as opposed to the retrospective.
Current awareness ranges from looking for information on specific topics on a regular basis (and this usually involves the assistance of your Personal Librarian to help you set up a search profile matched to your research interests) to embracing a wider, more general, and cross-disciplinary view that brings an element of serendipity into your search for the latest information.
Informally, researchers remain alert in all contexts for useful information and insights that will inform their daily practice, their research, and spark off innovative and creative ideas for new avenues of research
The mission of Project Literacy is to address the needs of illiterate and semi-literate adults in South Africa, and to deliver a wide range of Education and Training programmes to educationally disadvantaged people by way of education centres, educator training, curriculum development and community outreach.
Nal’ibali is built on the simple logic that a well-established culture of reading can be a real game-changer for education in South Africa. Literacy skills are a strong predictor of future academic success in all subjects – and children who regularly read and hear engaging stories, in languages they understand, are well equipped and motivated to learn to read and write.
The year is marked with many special days, weeks, and months dedicated and devoted to raising awareness about important issues.
This monthly post, compiled by the Information Search Librarians Team, will note special dates and themes, and draw your attention to possibly interesting cross-disciplinary topical references intended to inform and to inspire ideas for research.
In commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951, the Deaf Federation of South Africa and the South African National Deaf Association promote awareness of the rights of Deaf persons in South Africa.
Heritage Month recognises aspects of South African culture: creative expression such as music and performances, our historical inherita
nce, language, the food we eat as well as the popular memory. Heritage is defined as "that which we inherit: the sum total of wild life and scenic parks, sites of scientific or historical importance, national monuments, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections together with their documentation."
1-7 Sep. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries focuses on the country’s champion trees which include some of the oldest, largest and culturally significant trees. These include the Sophia Town Oak Tree and the Sagole Baobab Tree in Limpopo.
4 Sep - Sandton Convention Centre. Engage in peer-based learning, keep abreast of the latest digital trends, meet with employers and recruiters, explore MBA programmes and business schools
8 Sep. This year, International Literacy Day will be celebrated across the world under the theme of ‘Literacy in a digital world’. International Literacy Day is celebrated to remind the international community that literacy is a human right and the foundation of all learning.
International Day of Democracy
15 Sep. In its resolution establishing the International Day of Democracy, the United Nations noted that "while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy" and that "democracy does not belong to any country or region".
15 Sep Johannesburg SA National Military History Museum. Telescope & Astronomy Expo with telescope making demonstrations, science shows, rocket displays, camera obsucra, presentations, sky-gazing and lectures.
Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo 
22 - 23 Sep - Waterkloof Air Force Base , Pretoria. The expo combines both a trade exhibition and an air show.
24 Sep. A celebration not only of the past, but of the contribution the South African people in making the country what it is today.
World Environmental Health Day
26 Sep. Targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments.
If you are looking for 2018's forthcoming conferences, the following websites are helpful:
Selfe, Cynthia L. “Computers in the Classroom: The Humanization of Computers: Forget Technology, Remember Literacy.” The English Journal, vol. 77, no. 6, 1988, pp. 69–71.
Majumdar, Tapas. “Investment in Literacy for a High-Technology Society.” Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 24, no. 30, 1989, pp. 1711–1715.
Stevenson, Joseph, and Joy K. Moll. “The Challenge Of The 21st Century: Linking Computer Technology and Cultural Literacy.” Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, vol. 3, no. 1, 1992, pp. 9–17.
