The People Behind the STAR Awards: Third-Level Access & Engagement
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Third-Level Access & Engagement Written by Brian Desmond Published on October 20, 2026 Share This (Part 6 of a 6-part series) The Third-Level Access & Engagement category of the AONTAS STAR Awards celebrates initiatives that open doors to higher education for adults who might otherwise never get the chance […]
Beyond Funding: Building Capacity, Skills and Expertise for Lasting Change Through the AONTAS Community Education Network
Beyond Funding: Building Capacity, Skills and Expertise for Lasting Change Through Our Community Education Network Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on October 9, 2026 Share This By AONTAS Community Education Officer Lorraine O’Connor Our recent Community Education Network meeting brought together 38 participants from 30 organisations for an inspiring afternoon of shared learning, reflection, and […]
Reducing Barriers with Learn with NALA Accreditation
Reducing Barriers with Learn with NALA Accreditation Written by Brian Desmond Published on October 9, 2026 Share This Attended by AONTAS Membership and Digital Engagement Officer Brian Desmond. There was a buzz of excitement as attendees entered the grounds of the red-bricked Richmond Education Centre near Smithfield last week. Writer and comedian PJ Gallagher and […]
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Social Change
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Social Change Written by Brian Desmond Published on October 9, 2026 Share This (Part 5 of a 6-part series) “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”. The AONTAS STAR Awards Social Change category is […]
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Global Citizenship Education
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Global Citizenship Education Written by Brian Desmond Published on October 7, 2026 Share This (Part 4 of a 6-part series) “The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere” – Greta Thunberg The Global Citizenship Education category of the AONTAS […]
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Learner Voice
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Learner Voice Written by Brian Desmond Published on October 5, 2026 Share This (Part 3 of a 6-part series) Every year, the AONTAS team are honoured to amplify ‘the voice of adult learning’ through the STAR Awards. The Learner Voice category is especially important to us as it recognises […]
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Health & Wellbeing
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Health & Wellbeing Written by Brian Desmond Published on September 29, 2026 Share This (Part 2 of a 6-part series) As people review the categories for STAR Awards, I often get a call to see where their adult learning initiative fits best. I love these conversations. I always learn […]
Celebrating Resilience, Creativity & Community Education with CEN Member Cork Simon
Celebrating Resilience, Creativity & Community Education with CEN Member Cork Simon Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on September 25, 2026 Share This Our Community Education Officer, Lorraine O’Connor, was delighted to join Community Education Network member Cork Simon Community at the launch of learner Evelyn Mason’s inspiring book, A Rose Over the Sunset, in the […]
Sharing Learner Voice Research at the Fourth International Scuola Democratica Conference
Sharing Learner Voice Research at the Fourth International Scuola Democratica Conference Written by Philip Finn Published on September 23, 2026 Share This Introduction Our Research Officer, Philip Finn, outlines his recent participation, alongside Thomas Murray (Head of Research), in sharing AONTAS research at the Fourth International Conference of Scuola Democratica at the Sapienza University of […]
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Social Inclusion
The People Behind the STAR Awards: Social Inclusion Written by Brian Desmond Published on September 16, 2026 Share This (Part 1 of a 6-part series) I always remember my first STAR Awards. On the morning of the event, the snow was crunching under my feet as I walked to Croke Park, and I worried if everyone would make it. As I walked into […]