This double issue of the Journal of Education and Development in The Caribbean (JEDIC) honours Jossett Lewis‐Smikle, lecturer in Literacy Studies in the School of Education, University of the West Indies, Mona, who passed away in March 2013. Many in our university community and beyond will know of her unstinting commitment to literacy achievement in Jamaica through her teaching, research, curriculum development and community work. One of her last major public duties was the planning of the School of Education’s biennial Literacy Symposium on the theme of Literacy for Peace, Progress and Prosperity. These symposia were initiated by Jossett Lewis‐Smikle and as in previous years, she chaired the organizing committee—and on this occasion right up until the time of her death.
The papers in this issue all come from this, her last contribution. They demonstrate not only her passion for literacy but also the singular themes and issues that guided her work. A core issue for Dr Lewis‐Smikle and part of her outreach in Kingston and the Corporate Area, was reflected in the title of the Symposium: “Literacy for Peace, Progress and Prosperity”. With this theme, literacy is presented as an effective way to accelerate growth and promote equity.