International News
CONFINTEA VI
CONFINTEA is the acronym for the series of international, intergovernmental conferences on adult education which take place every 12 to 13 years. CONFINTEA V took place in Germany in 1997, and marked a turning point in the global recognition of and commitment to adult learning, and reaffirmed the position of adult learning within an overall framework of lifelong learning. Key outcomes of CONFINTEA V included recognition of the role of adult learning in relation oto democracy, peace, human rights, respect for diversity and conflict resolution, economic and ecological sustainability and workforce development. Unfortunately, these were not progressed sufficently at national or international level. CONFINTEA VI was held in Belem, Brazil, at the beginning of December. The objectives of the CONFINTEA VI include -
- To assess how commitments made in 1997 have been implemented and to renew political momentum and commitment
- To push forward the recognition of adult learning and no-formal education within the perspective of life wide and adult learning
- To strengthen the integration of adult learning and non-formal education within national sector-wide strategies
- To highlight the crucial role of adult learning and education for the realization of current international education and development agendas
- To develop the tools for implementation in order to move from rhetoric to action.
Representatives from Ireland who attended CONFINTEA included Berni Brady, Niamh O'Reilly and Una Buckley from AONTAS, along with Mary Kett from the Department of Education and Science. A full report will shortly be available here.
INFONET Milestone Conference 2009
18-21 November 2009- The European InfoNet Adult Education network met for its annual conference in The Marino Institute in Dublin.
At the 2009 annual conference of the "European InfoNet Adult Education" project in Dublin, the Irish Minister for Lifelong Learning, 
Sean Haughey, praised InfoNet as a "very valuable source, not just for journalists, but for everyone who is interested in adult education". The conference, attended by 30 partners of the Europe-wide network, was opened by the Minister with a short address.
The joint workshops on further improving the reporting of Adult Education in Europe were the focus of the Conference, The Confernce was organised by AONTAS, as local partner, in collaboration with The German Catholic Association for Adult Education (Katholischen Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft für Erwachsenenbildung),the coordinator of the Infonet project. The network is planning to establish itself as a central information medium in European adult education using a new marketing strategy and providing extensive coverage. Around 25 journalists, editors and other experts came together in the network to gather and circulate information.
European InfoNet Adult Education will be promoted as a Grundtvig network within the European Union's Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP). With 30 partners, it is currently the largest project in this programme .
A further highlight of the event was a reception at the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello. The Infonet delegates met the Lord Mayor who outlined her experiences with transnational adult education projects and exhorted them to keep up the good work.
Adult Learners' Week Seminar in Estonia
Sirje Plaks, Programme Manager with Andras in Estonia, who recently hosted a seminar for those involved in Adult Learners' Weeks throughout Europe. The Adult Learners' Festival is not unique to Ireland; in fact it takes place in a number of different countries around the world. In November, Niamh Farren was invited to Estonia to share the Irish experience of running an Adult Learners' Festival, and met organisers from countries hosting similar events. A more detailed report is included in the forthcoming issue of Explore magazine, available in January 2010. This report includes a snapshot of Adult Learners' Weeks in LIthuania, Slovenia, Hungary and Estonia.
EAEA General Assembly and Conference
The EAEA General Assembly 2008 and AONTAS Conference 'Creating Intercultural Communities took place in the Grand Hotel in Malahide on the 20th and 21st of October 2008 respectively. The two days included the awarding of a Grundtvig Award for an outstanding adult learning project, EAEA executive board elections, workshops and much more!
To watch a short film about the Assembly, click here.
CONFINTEA VI
What is CONFINTEA VI?
- It is an UNESCO intergovernmental international conference on adult learning and education
- It is a platform for policy dialogue and advocacy on adult learning and education
- It is held approximately every 12 years.
What are the objectives of CONFINTEA VI?
- To create commitment and action on adult learning and education
- To push forward recognition for adult learning and education as an important element of and factor conducive to lifelong learning, of which literacy is the foundation
- To highlight the role of adult learning for the realisation of international policy frameworks
- To renew political momentum and commitment and to develop tools for implementation in order to move from rhetoric to action.
Why is it important for you?
- A renewed international movement will raise awareness about the value of adult learning - use it in your lobbying work
- Learn about adult learning and education from other countries
- Become part of a global adult learning and education movement.
To learn more about CONFINTEA click here
To learn what non-governmental organisations want from CONFINTEA click here
