Thoughts on a conference about community education

Posted on November 23, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Last week AONTAS held the first ever conference on community education in Ireland. Over 200 attended the conference, called 'Making a living, making a life'. The purpose of the conference was to focus on the dual role of community education, supporting people to get employment but also in social inclusion. A practical outcome of the conference was to get those attending to propose how community education might fit within the new SOLAS training and education authority.
What really came across was the richness and diversity of community education. Those attending included tutors, learners, community education facilitators, community education providers based in the community and voluntary sector and people with a role in policy formulation.

A vibrant and diverse sector

That diversity was probably best expressed in 'Conversations about community education' - the opening of the conference and which featured four different perspectives on community education. Crona Gallagher, AEO of Co. Donegal VEC, outlined how she believed community education should be strongly rooted within the community, should be non statutory in nature, and that while VECs should support and fund community education, they should not be responsible for its delivery. Liz Waters, CEO of an Cosán, talked about how community education in Tallaght was building a new generation of community leaders - but also highlighted the role of community education in broadening access to third level education. John Evoy, who has been involved with the development of the Men's Sheds movement in Ireland highlighted the gender dimension of learning, and community education can respond to that need. Vivienne Glanville, who has moved up through community education, recently completing a Masters and also employed full time as a community worker, summed it up when she said 'the education I received on my own doorstep helped me to create a new world.'

Short videos we produced on the day really get across some of the thoughts of the keynote speakers, as well as the experiences of some of those who attended. The exhibition space at the conference showcased the services of fifteen different organisations, including CRAOL, the national network of community radio stations, who were there to promote community radio but also to do interviews and vox pops on the day.

What happens next?

There were strong statements about the need to devise a common framework that might identify outcomes, the need for a distinct funding stream to support community education, and continuous professional development for practitioners of community education. These were explored during a series of parallel workshops. These are key challenges for the sector, but the establishment of SOLAS also present opportunities to put community education at the heart of education and training in Ireland. In her closing address, Senator Katherine Zappone recalled the words of new President, Michael D. Higgins during his inaugural speech where he said 'Every age, after all should have its own Aisling'. Community education, which offers opportunities to develop new skills, to play a greater role in community, to create a more equal society, to reflect critically on the world, has never been so relevant!

Conference discussions will form a position paper on the role of community education within SOLAS.
To read about, or join the Community Education Network, click here.

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