Adult Learners' Week around the world

International Adult Learners' Week: background

When governments met in Jomtien for the World Conference on Education for All in 1990, among the goals set were universal access to and completion of primary education, and reduction of the adult illiteracy rate to one half its 1990 level by 2000. Ten years later, governments met in Dakar and still 113 million children have no access to primary education and 880 million adults, the majority of them women, are illiterate.

It is against this background that International Adult Learners' Week takes place.

What is the International Week?

The move to create a wider celebration of adult learning began with the American Association for the Advancement of Education (AAAE) in the late 1980s. The US week focused on a Congressional Breakfast for outstanding adult learners backed by an activities pack for AAAE members.

Adult Learners' Week commenced in the United Kingdom in 1992. Australia, along with South Africa and Jamaica, picked up on the success of Adult Learners' Week and the first Australian ALW was organised in 1995 to promote and encourage lifelong learning

When UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999 approved the International Adult Learners' Week, a larger dimension came into being. The aim is to bridge the activities during the national adult learners' weeks, to learn from the experiences of other countries, to share the celebration with people in other contexts and to amplify the cooperation between agencies active in the promotion of adult learning at international level.

Since then, organisers in more than 40 countries (see below) have organised or are preparing learning festivals. These not only raise awareness of the need to create more opportunities for adults to learn, but celebrate the efforts and achievements of the thousands who find the courage to 'take that first step back'.

International Literacy Day and Adult Learners' Week are used as mobilisation initiatives in many countries. They become a key element of national adult learning policies, promoting wider access to adult learning by celebrating individual and collective achievements, and using their experiences to stimulate a demand for learning elsewhere.

Many of the most successful events take place in venues that adults find accessible, friendly, and familiar, such as cafes, bars, community centres, on public transport, sports grounds or village halls. The experiences of some other countries illustrate the different 'festivals of learning' now occurring.

In 2000, 40 countries on every continent organised an Adult Learners' Week and the international community of Adult Learners' Week nations continues to grow.

The following countries have celebrated Adult Learners' Weeks in recent years:

Also Canada (Québec), India, Togo and Thailand have developed promotional campaigns around the annual International Literacy Day.

Below are some statements about different adult learning festivals around the world.

 

International Adult Learners' Week (UNESCO)

International Adult Learners' Week was launched on 8 September 2000, International Literacy Day, at EXPO 2000 in Hanover, Germany.

The aim of the Week is to facilitate environments that are conductive to learning and that consider adult learning as a right and a tool for equitable and sustainable development. National activities that reach out to marginalised populations are already carried out in some forty countries world-wide.

Adult Learners' Week is being sustained by means of the Learning Festivals Guide, produced as a communication tool and a pragmatic handbook for countries, organisations and individuals wishing to organise their own adult learners' week.

The guide provides information on the practical steps involved in planning the event, such as media activities, publicity, partnerships, sponsorships and evaluation. It explains that a festival helps to highlight role models, mobilise people to learn, celebrate the joy of learning, and foster a spirit of collaboration across all educational sectors. A section gives ten top tips on how to get started.

Prepared with input from the UK National Association for Adult Learning (NIACE), the Swiss Federation for Adult Education (SVEB) and the Latin American Network of Popular Education for Women (REPEM), it is available in English, French, Spanish and German from the UNESCO Institute for Education.

If you would like to share information on your national adult learners' week; if you have a contact name (with email) and possibly a homepage on this matter from your country (or region); or if you think that this international movement is an exciting project, please do not hesitate to let us know!

Contact: Bettina Bochynek, UNESCO Institute for Education email: b.bochynek@unesco.org.

Adult Learners' Week in the Netherlands

The ALW in the Netherlands takes place from 8 to 15 September, so we have lots of work to do at this moment. It is the second time ALW happens in our country, and we are very happy that there are more local activities than last year and that we have even a royal visitor at one of our conferences!

Adult Learners' Week in Switzerland

Switzerland is planning an ALW next year. It will take part from September 5 to September 15 in all regions of Switzerland. We started now to organise it. Our slogan is: "Vernetz Dich! - bronche-toi - get connected". Main topics are the new technologies, literacy, how to motivate people to join in adult learning.

A Learning Lorry in Benin

A Learning Lorry travelled through Benin for a month, bringing help and advice about learning, literacy and skills to remote parts of the country. Benin's objective was to renew the adult literacy national program in the framework of post-literacy and lifelong learning, to assess other adult learning needs and to mobilise local communities and non-governmental organisations.

Slovenia Lifelong Learning Week

Slovenian Lifelong Learning Week has been organised since October 1996. It was designed to contribute to the practical and theoretical development of lifelong learning, and to bring to life the slogan, "Slovenia, a learning country".

Learning Festival in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's Lifelong Learning Festival in January 2000 had as its theme 'A Learning Renaissance - Challenge and Opportunity for the New Millennium'. Its organisers said, 'in view of the significance of lifelong learning as a worldwide movement in general, and as a means to enable people to face the challenges of rapid change in particular, the Lifelong Learning Festival aimed to make the case for the development of a culture of lifelong learning for all in Hong Kong.'

Adult Learners' Week in Estonia

The fourth Estonian Adult Learner's Week will be held 8-12 October, 2002.

Coinciding with the European Year of Language, this year the Estonian ALW will concentrate on languages and different cultures. The organisers of ALW believe that everyone should have the opportunity throughout their lifetime to learn. Learning languages helps to develop tolerance and understanding between people with different backgrounds and cultural affiliations.

The Initiative Group of ALW consists of at least two people from each county: one specialist from County Government and educator familiar with local educational situation, with the needs and demands in adult education. The Initiative Group meets four times a year to set the priorities and schedules for ALW in Estonia.

Singapore Learning Festival

The Singapore Learning Festival was held 27 August-10 September 2000.

The new economy is a knowledge-based one. Whatever industry you may be in, before we can respond to and change with the times, we’ve got to know what needs doing and how to do it - and learning is the key.

As the Manpower 21 Plan states: 'learning helps individuals acquire skills needed for new jobs or for growth within existing jobs, resulting in higher wages and better job security. For employers, training increases both productivity and competitiveness. A skilled and adaptable workforce will enable employers to respond quickly to industry changes.'

It is for this purpose that Singapore Learning Festival 2000 was held. Singapore Learning Festival 2000 aimed to change the mindset that learning ends when we finish schooling, and that schools are the only venues of learning.

This national event was organised by the Ministry of Manpower & Partners to help Singaporeans embrace new skills to progress their careers, improve their quality of life and have fun while learning.

Adult Learners' Week in New Zealand

New Zealand In New Zealand/Aotearoa, ALW is also called He Tangata Matauranga. This recognises the partnership between indigenous Maori and the Pakeha (Europeans).

The Week is used as a time to raise awareness of the social injustices facing many adult learners, for reflection and social action, not just as a celebration. The campaign is viewed as an ideal opportunity to look at the many barriers to learning and to look at how they might influence public policy. The Week is held around 8 September, being International Literacy Day.

The Adult and Community Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (ACEA) and the National Resource Centre for Adult Learning and Community Education (NRC) as well as the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO have contributed to the organisation of the Week.

In 2000, The National Commission in conjunction with the NRC, organised a 'launch' function on Tuesday 5 September at the NRC. The Associate Minister for Education Lianne Dalziel spoke and presented two national awards to David Russell of Consumers Institute and Literacy Aotearoa, plus one international award (honourary mention to Literacy Aotearoa in the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2000) at the function

A small working group from ACEA produced an information manual and promotional materials and distributed them to the 15 ACEA networks around the country which were organising local celebrations. The 15 ACEA network organisers coordinated ACEA award giving celebrations, display stalls outside the warehouse branches, etc

In 2001 over 20 regional networks, from Kaitaia to Invercargill were set up to coordinate events and to circulate promotional materials. In addition national organitsations provided the same service to their constituent bodies.

The highlight of the Week was the presentation of awards for outstanding learners, practitioners and providers.

Adult Learners' Week in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom Adult Learners' Week was celebrated 12-18 May, 2001, with a second promotion 'Sign up Now', occuring 3-9 September, 2001.

This year the themes of Adult Learners' Week are:

Languages: During Adult Learners’ Week NIACE will be celebrating the uses and benefits to communities of bi- and pluri-lingualism. With your help we would like learn more about:

  • The different ways people learn a language
  • The languages being learnt by different communities
  • How communities benefit through learning or teaching languages
  • The ways community languages constitute a barrier to (access) learning;
  • The ways that communities use bi-lingualism to support integration and to preserve cultural identity.

Culture, Art & Education: This year, Adult Learners’ Week is promoting the role of culture and art in creating learning opportunities for adults. To celebrate this theme why not hold …

  • Music workshops;
  • Tours around museums…or theatres;
  • A "Learn a New Language" Day;
  • A day of learning circus skills;
  • Exhibitions of local artists’/poets’ work;
  • Dance festivals.
  • Or encourage local drama groups, or college drama classes, to produce shows or skits with a learning theme.

Communities : Creative outreach work is an important feature of Adult Learners’ Week, reaching people who benefit least from education and training.

  • "A pint and a prospectus?" - make links with your local pubs and deliver learning informally.
  • Involve community leaders in Adult Learners’ Week planning meetings.
  • A Learning Journey - are there opportunities for advice and guidance and ten-minute tasters on public transport?
  • Inspire and motivate others by celebrating the stories of your existing learners.
  • Learners’ Links - encourage your existing learners to talk about their experiences in open forums or to host open evenings.

Health :A recent NIACE survey examined the impact on personal health as a result of learning (The impact of learning on health. pub. NIACE 2000). The majority of respondents revealed positive benefits to mental, emotional and physical health.

You could approach your local surgery or hospital to see if they would take adult learning posters or leaflets. What about waiting room tasters? Research NIACE, Health Action Zone and the Greater Nottingham Learning Partnership have been working in partnership to set up a project to get GPs to write prescriptions for learning. The project is to last for one year initially. The research will look at the link between learning and health, perceptions about learning among health professionals and what constitutes good practice for learning providers.

 

Adult Learners' Week in South Africa

Imagine what it must feel like to be unable to read a letter from a loved one, to sign your name, to read the Bible, to check your pay slip, to read a story to your children … Being illiterate limits the decisions and choices that people can make on a daily basis. It also limits access to jobs and full participation in society. His Grace, The Most Reverend Njongonkulu Ndugane, Archibishop of Cape Town

From the 1-8 September 2001, adult learners and educators from around South Africa came together to celebrate Adult Learners' Week (ALW). This advocacy campaign had particular significance in our country where 3 million adults cannot read or write and still more believe that they are too old to learn.

Adult Learners' Week aims to celebrate the achievements of adult learners and educators, mobilise funds and resources to support adult education initiatives, and encourage all South Africans to engage in lifelong education and training.

The campaign comprised a multitude of local celebrations and special events held at adult learning centres throughout the country that will culminate in Provincial Awards Ceremonies where the achievements of exceptional learners and educators are recognised. The week ended on the 8th of September with the celebration of International Literacy Day when we reflected on the challenges facing an estimated 8 million South Africans who are functionally illiterate and we paid tribute to those learners who have already taken their first steps on the pathway to lifelong learning.

Adult education is not just about literacy. It embraces a diverse range of learning experiences from adults who are learning the basic skills of reading and writing to those who are completing further degrees and diplomas. It also includes learnerships in industry and community based training programmes led by NGOs.

For 2001 we chose to celebrate the growth that comes with learning. Our theme: 'People for Learning - Learning for Growth' recognised that we continue to learn and grow throughout our lives - in our places of work, in our homes and in our communities.

Despite severe funding constraints, the adult education sector has continued to equip learners with the skills, knowledge and confidence to play a pro-active role in community life. We need to broaden this investment in our human potential in order to stimulate the growth of a vibrant economy and democratic society.

Adult learning has the power to transform the lives of individuals and the wider community. In the words of Nosipho Matyeni, an adult learner from Philani, Khayelitsha: I learnt how adults can start to see things in a better way and can challenge life without violence. I know now that everyone has a right to say his or her feelings. I see that I can change things. I know that in meetings I - as a woman - have the same right to speak as the men. I have confidence to question what happens in my organisation and in my community.

National Programme of Events:
South Africa Adult Learners' Week (1-8th September 2001)

Adult learners and educators l came together to celebrate Adult Learners' Week culminating in International Literacy Day (8th September).

Based on the 1996 census, 1 in 6 adults cannot read and write and a further 1 in 3 are functionally illiterate (have less than a Grade 7 education). Although our right to lifelong learning is enshrined in the constitution, adult education is the only RDP Lead Programme that has yet to receive funding. We call on government, industry, the media and civil society to mobilise the resources necessary to make adult education and training accessible to all.

We also took this opportunity to honour the commitment of adult learners who have taken up the challenge of lifelong learning over and above the demands of work and parenting. Skills development is fundamental to our growth as individuals and as a nation. We encourage all South Africans to learn something new - we are never too old to learn!

Western Cape: Last year the Provincial Awards Ceremony were held at the Cape Town Civic Centre on Saturday 1st September 2001. A record 108 nominations were received in a number of different categories including: community initiators, the arts, health, gender, special needs and information technology. The award winning entries from the provincial poster competition werel also be on exhibition. The award ceremony was followed by a cultural programme of drama, music and poetry presented by learners from around the Western Cape.

An Exhibition of Lifelong Learning was hosted by the Cape Metropolitan Council showcasing education and training opportunities from adult basic education and training through to university degrees and diplomas and including information technology, small business and the performing and visual arts. Join us for lunchtime performances by Community Arts Project and New Africa Theatre Project.

The University of the Western Cape hosted a programme of seminars and workshops on poetry, information technology and women in the workplace culminating in a Celebration of Lifelong Learning. Community outreach focusing on Small Business Development and Domestic Violence that took place in Delft, Gugulethu and Mitchell's Plain.

Milnerton Library's adult learners invited poets, digters, imbongi, music makers and all poetry lovers to participate in our "Spring Poetry Festival" GROW WITH POETRY, on Saturday 1 September. This festival celebrated the dynamic use of words in different cultures, through poetry.

Northern Cape: The Provincial Awards Ceremony was held at the Concordia Hall in Springbok, Namaqualand Region on the afternoon of Saturday 7th September 2001.

International Literacy Day was celebrated the following day, the 8th of September, with activities filling the day starting with a march, followed by plays and speeches by learners. NGO's, parastatals and industry are finalizing their internal ALW celebrations including De Beers Koffiefontein, De Beers Finsch Mine, De Beers Geology, Kimberley Mines, Correctional Services, Spoornet Lighthouse, and PPC Lime.

Free State: On the 1st September, Adult Learners' Week was be launched by the Director General of Education at the Tshibologo Centre for the Blind in Thaba Nchu.

From the 2nd to 6th September, special events and celebrations took place in the districts, culminating in the celebration of International Literacy Day in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwa-Qwa where learners and educators will be joined by the MEC for Education, Papi Kganare. Music was provided by the Grootvlei Correctional Services Band.

On the 7th September, AETASA hosted a Project Managment Workshop in Bethlehem followed by the Provincial Awards Ceremony at 7pm in the Bethlehem Town Hall.

Northern Province: The adult education sector is struggling for survival in the Northern Province where, with the exception of the Ikwelo Project, many centres have closed and educators are working on a volunteer basis. During Adult Learners' Week, AETASA Northern Province honored the commitment of learners and educators at the Provincial Awards Ceremony at 10 am on the 7th September at Pietersburg Prison Hall. Learners from around the province exhibited their products and skills; and entertainment was provided by traditional dancers and the University of the North's Choral Choir.

Gauteng: A consortium of adult literacy organisations and adult learners hosted a rally and picnic on International Literacy Day, Saturday September 8th on the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The formal programme started with storytelling by Gcina Mhlophe, a short civil society perspective on ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training) by Edward French and an update on Masifunde Sonke, our national reading campaign by Deputy Minister Mosibudi Mangena, with closing entertainment by Yvonne Chaka Chaka..

The 3rd National ABET Indaba: The Renaissance Network hosted the third National ABET Indaba from 4-5 September at the Eskom Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng. The keynote address focusing on literacy and nation-building was delivered by Dr Mosibudi Mangena, the Deputy Director of Education. Speakers from government, universities, NGO's and industry addressed a number of critical themes in adult learning including: ABET in the Workplace; ABET as a National Reconstruction and Development Priority; and the use of interactive multimedia learner support materials.

Kwa-Zulu Natal: The Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Awards Ceremony was held at the Durban City Hall on Saturday 8th September 2001. The proceedings for the day were dominated by adult learners from the different sectors and sites rendering educational, cultural and musical items around the theme of ABET, including: choir performances (Durban Electricity, Operation Upgrade, Portnet, Muthande Society for the Aged), narratives of stories about adults benefitting from ABET (Pick & Pay Hyper, Umgeni Water), plays (Pinetown Child Welfare), displays of works produced by adult learners in skills programmes (Pinetown Child Welfare, Jabulani), poems about adult learning and musical items (Maskhanda pereformance by Portnet Band). Tembaletu Community Education Centre from Pietermaritzburg will also be joining forces with us in Durban. Deputy President Jacob Zuma was invited to delivered the keynote address as he was in Durban on that weekend.

UNISA branch offices in Durban also hosted events during Adult Learners' Week that focused on the Year of the Reader. On Saturday 8 September, they will be held a gathering of their students and other interested organisations to commemorate International Literacy Day.

For more information about Adult Learners' Week in South Africa, please contact Lori Lake at: naledi@adept.co.za

 

Adult Education Week in the Russian Federation

Last year under the initiative of the House of Europe in St. Petersburg and European Forum for Freedom in Education the first project of the Adult Education Week was formulated.

The form of the event was chosen to be Mobile International Institute in a train from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok. In accordance with the announced program the participants could learn the experience of more then 100 organisations, centres and educational institutions.

In the course of meetings the subjects to discuss were various problems: qualification improvement and retraining, teaching young specialists and the people of the "third age", women, immigrants, etc. It was possible to get some notion about the variety of the forms of adult education, from traditional "round tables", lectures, practical work, to actively introduced by teachers training, brain storms, creative workshops, master classes etc.

The idea to form social partnership in the field of adult education as the most effective mechanism to activate the educational work in the region was proved to be correct. Working contacts between specialists in the field of adult education were established. They will allow in the future to support the united educational territory of Russia, to develop the relations with foreign countries, to inform people about all innovations in this field.

In accordance with the letter of the Vice-minister of Education B.A. Vinogradov we began to work out the project of the second Week of Adult Education, which will be held in the form of Mobile International Institute "Ship Nizhni Novgorod - Astrakhan - Nizhni Novgorod" since 09 till 23 of September 2001. New National organization committee is being formed, its head will be Minister of Education V.M. Filippov. The coordinator of the programme, as previously, will be "House of Europe in St. Petersburg".

The aim of the project is to distribute the up-to-date learning knowledge among the adult population of the country, to strengthen and develop its integral educational territory and to integrate domestic and foreign teaching experience.

The peculiarities of the second Adult Education Week will be as follows:

  • The week and its aim, tasks, programme will necessarily be advertised in advance in mass media
  • New regions of Russia will be activated for work in the sphere of adult education and the experience of it historic center - Volga territories - will be studied
  • The whole spectrum of educational services for all categories of population will be learnt
  • Programme for the Week will be developed for each and every separate region; the regions will be included into the programme of the basis of a competition
  • A special scientific and methodical seminar for organizers of adult education in each region will be held in November 2000 in Nizhni Novgorod
  • A set of scientific and methodical materials helping to run the Week will be prepared (a model of adult education development in a big city, small town, countryside)
  • Volunteers to prepare and run the Week in the regions will be trained
  • A documentary "Adult education in Russia and abroad" will be demonstrated
  • Each territory will submit summarized information about its system of formal and informal adult education
  • Scientific and methodical literature on the problems of adult education will be distributed
  • Each town will hold an award ceremony, giving praise to the most successful student in all the types of formal, non-formal and informal adult education, on the basis of the materials submitted by the regions.
  • Innovation materials (programmes, methodic materials) will be exhibited on the way of the ship, new technologies in adult education will be demonstrated.
  • The coordinators plan to participate in the Forum "International Adult Education Week" in Hanover in September 2000.
  • According to the first variant of the programme the participants of the International Mobile institute will have the opportunity to get to know with rich experience of historical centre of Russia - Povolzhje (the district of Volga-river).
  • In Kazan we will continue the learning of the World Heritage of Nature and Culture; we will visit the centres of further education of specialists, state and private universities and Educational centre of OC "Kamaz" in Naberesnii Chelni.
  • In Ulyanovsk the largest companies will introduce the experience of overcoming the economic crisis, Ulyanovsk Pedagogical University will deliver the interesting investigation of intellectual potential of Russia;
  • Open schools will generate the experience of the work with young people who didn't finish Secondary school.
  • Toliatti will show experience of firm-in studying on the base of Educational centre of OC "Avtovaz", the programmes of development of Beautiful School Movement in urban and rural regions; the participants will visit the factory's museum and the school museum of World Heritage.
  • In Saratov scientists and chairmen of farms will analyse the result of the ground reform in the region, Educational centre of Povolzhje will share its experience in diversification of action in purpose of stable and firm development; the oldest library of Saratov University will say about its work with adult population of the town.
  • Volgograd will introduce the interesting programme of distant education on the base of Occupation Centre in wide circle of professions for 11 rural districts of the region; Male Pedagogical Liceum will show continues education on the base of integration of educational institutes and its unique programme too.
  • In Astrakhan we are to see the wide spectre of adult education - it is firm-in studying in OC "Astrakhangasprom" and a system for further educational of specialists on the base of an Internet-café, educational programmes on keeping national traditions and confessional education, social and professional adaptation of disabled people and Red Christ educational programmes for women. We will visit Institute of the distant education and the Centre of ecological education of Astrakhan region. There will be the exhibition "Beautiful school - school of Peace" and visiting of schools by a prison.
  • In all regions there will be introduced experience of the work on the theme "Creation of learning society in rural community" including visiting of villages, and we are preparing an interesting cultural programme. The event will be prepared according to the following stages: the first variant of the programme will be ready by November 2000, working variant - by March 2001, the final one - by May 2001. All the comments about lectures, seminars, master-classes, etc. from the specialists form other regions, which can be included into the programme, are taken into consideration.

For more information about Adult Learners Week in Russia email: spb251@spb.sitek.net

 

The Learning Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina

With the aim of promotional of different ways of education HO Amica EDUCA started the organization of Learning Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Amica EDUCA is an organisation that provides long-term psychosocial support for traumatised individuals - especially women and children who are victims of violence - and their families, providing practical help through direct assistance, psychosocial support and education, by applying modern alternative methods in all aspects of their work. The organisation seeks to establish a long-term, sustainable and transparent organization, which will help in the process of addressing the problems, improving of human rights and healthy individuals in healthy democratic society

On 8 September, 2000 the first Bosnia and Herzegovina Festival of Learning was held in Tuzla. This was a one day event that brought together 42 organizations, institutions and individuals involved in the education process. the aim of this festival was to promote modern, alternative, and creative methods and approaches to education.

Based upon the success of this original festival, it has been decided that the Festival should be expended in whole BIH (Federation and Serbs Republic) expanded in length, and involve both the governmental and nongovernmental sectors in its planning and presentation.

Considering the fact that the society of knowledge and information develops rapidly, lifelong learning has become one of the most important factors for the individuals, for the economy, society and politics. This is especially true in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a community in rapid transition.

The Institute for the International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association - IIZDVV from Sarajevo, recognized the value of the idea of the festival, and, after the first festival was over, gave assistance in evaluating its success and supported the production of a brochure about the first Learning Festival.

As a result of the German Adult Educators Association's input, preparations for the new Festival of Learning are now more comprehensive than for the first Festival. Two seminars for the co-organizers of the festival have been held, a strategic plan for the Festival until year 2004 was drawn up, and a coordination body for activities at BIH level was formed.

Planning for the Festival involves different areas in BIH, in the Federation as well as in the Serbs Republic, what makes it the unique manifestation in the territory of BIH and this part of South-East Europe. Representatives from following towns are included in organizational activities: Bratunac, Derventa, Bosanski-Srpski Brod, Banja Luka, Doboj, Sarajevo, Mostar, Gornji Vakuf, Bihac, Zenica, Gora de, District Brcko. This list indicates the multiethnic nature of the project, as a way of over becoming the differences and gathering closer whole Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A key aspect of the Second Learning Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the promotion of the idea of lifelong learning and adult education. Amica Educa uses modern approaches in psychosocial work. Through these modern techniques, individuals can be taught how to help themselves and others and how to make the impact on the quality of life, social events, tolerance and common life. The Festival seeks to promote the idea that the participation in the process of learning by all citizens is essential to the development of future in territory of BIH.

On national level the staff that are engaged: Festival coordinator, technical secretary and specialists-leaders of the activities by the areas (opening/closing, awarding, calendar of the events, propaganda and marketing, media campaigns and the film). Actively, or on voluntary bases, coordination body made out of ten members are engaged.

The second festival of learning in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a manifestation of the network of nongovernmental and governmental organisations and individuals in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which encourages and develops consciousness about the need of lifelong learning and promoting educative activities that contributes to the quality and the joy of living

The goals of the festival are:

  1. Promoting the idea of lifeong learning and improvement of the quality of life by comprehending large number of users.
  2. Initiating the making of positive legislative will improve system of education and create conditions for the lifelong learning.
  3. Media promotion with the aim to support the festival from local and international community.
  4. Formation of a coordination body to establish network structure and mechanisms for continued communication and exchange of information.
  5. Strategic strengthening of the network and the competence of certain segments of the organisation, as presumption for the successful realisation of festival.

The anticipated results are:

  1. Increased number of citizens and institutions in BIH that are familiar with idea of lifelong learning.
  2. Increased number of governmental and nongovernmental organizations and individuals included in the festival
  3. Printed promotion-informative material including brochures with explanations of the idea of lifelong learning (Festival), information about governmental and non-governmental organisations and individuals involved in the festival
  4. Created current legislative analyses in the field of education
  5. Certain priorities of changes in the field of education in cantons and entities
  6. Formed the partners groups of the governmental and nongovernmental organizations and experts which will work on law changes
  7. Established list of institutions involved adult education
  8. Created and defined cooperation with the media (especially press) on local, regional and state level, workshop for media
  9. Formed responsible and professional coordination body
  10. Strengthened and expended structure of the network
  11. Functional communication and information exchange at all levels
  12. In the territory of BIH successfully realised program of the Festival
  13. Members of the network gained new experiences in organisation and realisation of the Festival
  14. Formed good cooperation of the organisations and individuals between Federation and Serbs Republic

People who will become involved will include: institutions, organiations, establishments, associations, and individuals involved in the process of education in the frame of their project activities, as well as citizens which in the period of transition of economy in BIH are in of need education

The time frame for the project is as follows: The project planning lasts for 10 months, and the Festival will be organized in course of 5 (five) days in the first week of the October in different towns in BIH- in both entities, Serbs Republic and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The motto of the Festival will be "Learning - Way to Integration"

The key foci of the Festival will be:

  • Learning foreign languages and modern media -the way to cooperation and unity in BIH and
  • Europe New future for children is built by adult education

For more information about the Learning Festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina visit www.lernfest.de or email festival@inet.ba

 

International Email Forum

An email forum, hosted by Adult Learning Australia, has been established for national coordinators and others involved in the organisation of Adult Learners’ Weeks around the world.

If you would like to join please send an e-mail to alw-international-list-request@ala.asn.au. Please leave the subject line blank and write only the word subscribe in the message section.