Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland
What is the Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland (ALFI)?
What is the Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland (ALFI)?
The Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland is a platform organised by and for Adult Learners with the support of AONTAS. Its purpose is:
- To articulate and represent the issues Adult Learners face on returning to education and training
- To share information and build the capacity of Adult Learners to bring these issues to the attention of policy and decision makers
- To promote the value of Adult and Community education
Membership of ALFI is open to adults who are planning to or already pursuing second chance education opportunities with particular emphasis on Levels 1-5 on the National Qualifications Framework. Learners who are pursuing higher education opportunities for the first time as an adult are also welcome to join the ALFI.
Do you want to be a part of this? If so click here to fill in our online membership form or email dlarkin@aontas.com.
The main aims of the ALFI were decided at the first Forum meeting in November 2010 as: Promotion, Advocacy and Sharing.
Promotion will involve members of the ALFI (supported by AONTAS) to work together to get a clear message across to the potential adult learners, the general public, funders, politicians and policy makers about:
- The value of adult education (to learn something new, to get a qualification, to make friends, to improve your health)
- Where you can get information about adult education courses
- What kinds of education courses are available (there are thousands of courses available in Ireland, from local community groups, in the local VEC, to higher level - there is something for everyone at all levels)
Advocacy will involve members of the Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland coming together to bring about changes in adult and community education to benefit adult learners and make sure that learners are heard when policies are developed. Through advocacy ALFI will work to improve adult education in Ireland by:
- Representing the learners' voice
- Encouraging politicians to see the value of adult learning and ask them to commit to keeping the current funding and addressing the issues.
- Working together to identify what issues face learners, why this is important and how the situation can be improved.
The ALFI will be a place for Learners to share your experience, get ideas and support so learners have a place to help and encourage each other:
- By sharing ideas and experience at meetings of the ALFI
- By making sure all members of the ALFI are able to participate at a level they are happy with
Latest ALFI Developments
Building a Grassroots Learner Voice: Using the AONTAS toolkit to develop Local Learner Forums Report of the Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland (ALFI) Meeting 2011
The report of the day, including the inputs from Aisling Ryan (Limerick City Adult Learner Forum), John Gates (Wales Adult Learners' Network), the discussions among participants and the keynote address from John Lonergan, can be accessed here.
If you require a printed version of the report, please email dlarkin@aontas.com
Building a Grassroots Learner Voice: Using the AONTAS toolkit to develop Local Learner Forums
The ALFI met on October 26th in the Ashling Hotel. A blog reporting the key points of the day can be accessed here. Three Adult Learners who attended the day spoke afterwards on what they felt about the day and this can be viewed on the blog or accessed through the AONTAS youtube channel.
The meeting was built about the theme of developing a grassroots learner voice to support a sustainable national voice. Inputs from Aisling Ryan from the Limerick City Adult Learners' Forum and John Gates, Wales Adult Learners' Union and the Global Learners' Network, gave inputs on how Adult Learner Forums work from a local, national and international level. John Lonergan spoke of the importance of positive thinking and the power of education and formally launched "Hearing the Adult Learner Voice: A Toolkit for creating a Local Adult Learner Forum".
The toolkit was developed in order to support Adult Learners to develop their own Local Adult Learner Forums and was based on the expertise of all those, learners and practitioners, who are involved in the work of the Limerick City Forum.
1st Adult Learners' Forum of Ireland Meeting, November 2010
Over 60 adult learners from across Ireland, mature students, community education learners, senior learners and many more attended the launch of the AONTAS National Adult Learner Forum which took place on November 3rd 2010 in Athlone. Click here for the report.
Join a Learner Forum!
Learner Forums are all about bringing learners together: to allow learners to meet and share experiences; to ensure that we are aware of the challenges facing learners so that we can lobby for your needs; and to empower learners to take action on their issues locally and through AONTAS nationally. Are you interested in getting involved email Damien Walshe or phone 01 4068220. Click here for the National Adult Learner Forum flyer.
What will you get from the forum?
- The opportunity to meet other adult learners from across Ireland and share your experience and challenges.
- The opportunity to shape and be part of a National Adult Learner Forum.
- The opportunity to directly feed into the policy work of AONTAS.
- The opportunity to make local networks with learners who have similar challenges and build an adult learner movement.
How much does it cost?
It is free for AONTAS members who are adult learners or who are learning in an organisation who is a member/ who are part of a group who is a member e.g. a mature student society. Join AONTAS today.
For more information please contact Dympna Larkin or phone 01 4068220.
