Policy context
Influencing policy in the area of adult and community education has been a key focus of the work of AONTAS since the adoption of its first strategic plan, 'A Vision for the Future', 1998-2000. Since then it has been a lead player in the development of the White Paper on Adult Education, Learning for Life, 2000 and in developments in the sector which followed. AONTAS adopted its fourth Strategic Plan 2007-2010 at its Annual general meeting in May 2007. The Plan has four key objectives centering on Policy, Promotion, Practice,and Partnership and underpinned by a fifth objective which is Organisational Development.
The actions contained within the Strategic Plan are designed to ensure that the lifelong learning commitments contained within the National Development Plan 'Transforming Ireland 2007-2013', The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Report 'Tomorrows Skills: Towards a National Skills Strategy' and the Ten Year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 'Toward 2016' are implemented.
AONTAS policy work at national level is informed and driven by the lived experience and work of its members at a local and regional level. Feedback from members and particularly adult learners provides the basis for policy priorities and research plays a key role in identifying and documenting issues which are of concern to them. AONTAS uses this information and experience to lobby for recognition and resources, interrogate government policies and build strong alliances which are designed to keep adult and community education on the political agenda.
Representation
AONTAS represents the concerns of adult learners on:-
- The National Advisory Group to the National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education
- Consultative Group, National Qualifications Authority of Ireland
- Advisory Committee, Adult education Guidance Initiative
- The European Association for Education of Adults (EAEA)
- Irish Research Association for Adult and Continuing Education (IRAACE)
IRAACE Event
In October 2006, IRAACE, the Irish Research Association for Adult and Community Education was launched by Professor John Field of Stirling University, a key figure in the adult education research community. IRAACE was established to facilitate networking, promote existing research and develop new aspects of the research agenda. The Association, of which AONTAS is a key member, held its first event of 2008 in the Royal Dublin Hotel, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 on April 4th. The half day morning event offered attendees the opportunity to network with other researchers, to discuss current projects and to showcase their latest research. The keynote address was delivered by Lyn Tett, Professor of Community Education and Lifelong Learning in the Moray House School of Education at the University of Edinburgh. An event report will be circulated to delegates in the coming weeks and will also be available on the AONTAS website. For more information on this event go to Policy News. To view an agenda for the event click here
The secretariat of IRAACE will pass to AONTAS' sister organisation, NALA, in June 2008. The next IRAACE event will likely take place in November 2008. Further information on this event will be available on the AONTAS website and the NALA website in the coming months.
Any questions? Please contact Adele McKenna, Policy & Research Officer, AONTAS, e-mail: amckenna@aontas.com
