International News
European Commission Policy
The recent focus of the lobbying work of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), with board representation by Niamh O'Reilly, centres on two specific areas:
1. The renewed Agenda for Adult Learning from the European Commission
2. The new Erasmus for All Programme
The European Commission adopted a resolution on a renewed European agenda for adult learning, which is the follow-up to the Action Plan on Adult Learning, on 28 and 29 November 2011. This Renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning links to the four strategic objectives of "ET2020", the framework for European cooperation in education and training, and sets out key areas for emphasis policies:
- autonomy of the learner but also responsibility for his/her learning pathway and outcomes;
- learning later in life to promote active, autonomous and healthy ageing among seniors and using their knowledge and experience for the benefit of society;
- greater access to higher education for adults;
- developing new skills necessary for active participation in modern society;
- solidarity between different age groups, between cultures and people of all backgrounds;
- designation of national coordinators to facilitate cooperation with the European Commission and effective liaison with multiple stakeholders in each country.
It seeks to enable all adults to develop and enhance their skills and competences throughout their lives, it builds on the achievements of the Action Plan on Adult Learning (2008-2010), and complements existing policy initiatives in the areas of school education, higher education (Bologna process) and vocational education and training (Copenhagen process). The priority areas for the period 2012-14 are:
- Making lifelong learning and mobility a reality
- Improving the quality and efficiency of education and training
- Promoting equity, social cohesion and active citizenship through adult learning
- Enhancing the creativity and innovation of adults and their learning environments
- Improving the knowledge base on adult learning and monitoring the adult-learning sector
The EAEA engaged in a policy debate on the 9th December 2011 with key members of the Commission in order to put forward the civil society perspective emphasizing the key role of non formal adult education and questioning how it will be implemented.
The new Erasmus for All Programme
On the 23rd November 2011 the European Commission proposed a new Programme for 2014-2020, entitled Erasmus for All, which is the new EU programme for education, training, youth and sport proposed by the European Commission. The proposal is now under discussion by the Council (27 Member States) and the European Parliament will take the final decision on how it will be adopted. For AONTAS members this means that there are changes to the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme 2007-2013 and the current Grundtvig programme which focuses on supporting and funding activities for adult education.
The EAEA is concerned about a number of areas within the programme namely:
- The need to dedicate a stream of this fund specifically for non-formal and non-vocational adult education as it believes the main emphasis is on higher education to the detriment of other education providers.
- To increase the proposed 2% budget for adult education to 7% in line with schools and youth.
- To support the implementation of the New European Agenda for Adult Learning taking cognisance of the role of adult education to promote positive change, improve health and well-being of society in addition to the individual benefits such as confidence and personal development.
- To ensure that there is a space within the new Erasmus for All Programme for learning partnerships which is central to sharing best practice across the adult education sector at European level.
- To reintroduce the mobility schemes for adult learners which are not included in this new Programme
AONTAS supported the EAEA with their position paper by contacting the three Irish substitute members of the European Commission Education and Culture Committee, Sean Kelly MEP, Nessa Childers MEP and Liam Aylward MEP all of whom supported the need for greater recognition of the programme for community education within the Erasmus for All Programme. Members of AONTAS can contact Niamh O'Reilly for further information on our international advocacy work.
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
