This event brings together AONTAS members, adult learners, and policy makers to demonstrate to the new Government that community education is the policy solution they need in response today’s societal challenges.
For a long time, we at AONTAS – together with many others in our sector – have called for more support and recognition for community education by policymakers and politicians in Irish society.
The new Programme for Government calls for “fair and equal access to quality further and higher education, regardless of socioeconomic status, ability, or geographical location.”
The document pledges to create “a caring society” and address poverty and social exclusion.
This caring, equal, safe society cannot exist without community education.
They have pledged to have “quality” education, with “fair and equal access”, regardless of “socioeconomic status, ability, or geographical location.”
A direct way to achieve this goal is for the new Government to adequately recognise, support, and fund community education.
We do now have a Community Education Framework, which shows an approach to “making consistent and positive changes in how we learn, provide, coordinate and fund community education in Ireland.”
We also have the Reach Fund, dedicated to community education projects across Ireland.
However, while both of these developments are welcome, improvements can be made.
This event will provide a space for policymakers to hear directly from educators and adult learners, with very specific actions that can be taken to help achieve Government goals while also making a real difference to the lives and conditions of educators and learners across the country.
We will have exciting speakers, roundtable discussions, and we will see community education in action.
NOTE: The Richmond Barracks, where this year's policy discussion is taking place, is different from the Richmond Education Centre (where we have held events previously).
The Richmond Barracks is in Inchicore. Here's what it looks like: 
Take a look back at last year’s policy discussion here.
Learn more about the Adult Learners’ Festival and how to get involved.
Register for this event