The STAR Awards recognises the very best in adult learning in Ireland. We celebrate and acknowledge the incredible adult learning initiatives going on across the country, in support of learners, as part of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival.
This year, there were 24 fantastic shortlisted initiatives, and on Friday 7th March in Croke Park in Dublin, we announced seven fantastic winners. But everyone involved deserves to be recognised for the wonderful work and learning they do every day. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and all who support the event every year.
The STAR Awards shortlist is divided into five categories of adult learning initiatives that support people with:
The STAR Awards is judged by an independent panel of educators, policymakers, adult learners, and other adult learning experts.
We kicked off with entertainment from the Bodhrán Buzz, as Robbie expertly taught the entire audience of almost 200 people to play the bodhrán in the space of 20 minutes!
We were delighted to welcome special guest speaker – writer and actress Pauline McLynn, best known as Mrs Doyle from Father Ted.
Speaking with AONTAS Chair John D’Arcy, who was the MC for the event, Pauline said:
“I think sometimes people get afraid of the word education. It seems too big. But every day we’re learning something. We learn more than we think every day. To be curious – I think that’s what drives us forward, and hopefully makes us better at dealing with different situations.”
Pauline spoke about her own experience with learning, growing up in Galway and going on to college in Trinity in Dublin.
She talked about falling in to acting and writing.
“Any of the skills I’ve acquired,” she said, “have just been learned the hard way.”
As well as letting us know that her favourite episode of Father Ted is the Milkman one, Pauline also said that “one of the great things about learning how to think for yourself. If it seems like you come up against a brick wall, you can gain the confidence to find a way around it.”
She also talked about the hope that adult learning offers.
“Even just making the choice that you want to learn something – that is your super power.”
We also heard from Andrew Brownlee, CEO of SOLAS, who talked about the importance of how education is viewed across Ireland, how we value it, and the importance of a commitment to community education, especially now. He said how blown away he always was by the stories from learners and the work of education providers across the country.
He said that 560,000 more people need to be engaged in adult learning over the next five years for us to hit our European targets and also to remain competitive from an economic perspective.
Adult and community education, he said, “does make a difference, and we are going to need you even more over the next five to ten years.”
As the awards were handed out, winners – both education providers and adult learners – gave impassioned speeches about the impact of adult and community education on their lives and the lives of others.
Common themes were the importance of democracy and active citizenship, gender equality and women’s rights, support for people with addiction and people who have been in prison, support for people with disabilities and sustainability in different forms.
We also saw repeatedly how the arts and creativity make a huge difference to people, especially those who are coming through very difficult times.
An important common thread was the impact of intergenerational trauma, and how adult and community education works to prevent people from passing on trauma to the next generation.
As one learner said, “education is about breaking the barriers, the stigma. It’s an inspiration for people yet to come, to pass it on. My daughter is seven, and now she wants to go to college.”
Another learner said: “Every one of us is searching for a bit of hope – for a better life – hope for our kids. And now I won’t pass the burden on to my kids.”
Mary Mahon, Director of the Dublin Adult Learning Centre (DALC), whose group won in the Global Citizenship Education category for their programme on active citizenship and voter education, said:
“We stand on the shoulders of giants. Thousands more people voted in last year’s elections because of these courses. I hope that all the people we’ve trained will carry that baton. I think this kind of work has got to be embedded. Labour activation is fine, but we all need to feel part of a community.”
The nationwide Voter Education Programme from REHAB engages and empowers people in the National Learning Network and in RehabCare services across Ireland to understand and use their vote.
The Blocks is an arts initiative for people whose lives have been impacted by addiction in the Rialto and Dolphin’s Barn areas of Dublin city.
Dublin 8-based RADE provides programmes that connect drug-users and those in recovery with artistic workshops and relapse prevention workshops, and provides therapeutic supports to people struggling with substance dependency.
The ‘Great to Train’ initiative supports people accessing homeless services in Cork by building their personal and work-related skills through training, therapy and learning.
Social Inclusion: Small/Medium Organisation Category Based in Cork city, the Welcome English Language Centre provides social integration supports and English language classes to people newly arrived to Ireland.
This course informs people living in Dublin’s North Inner City about voting and democracy through informative and interactive sessions.
This foundation preparation course provides a pathway for people from under-represented groups to access higher education.
An outstanding project that promotes shared island collaboration and a European Social Fund (ESF) initiative that works towards equal access to quality education were also honoured at the awards event, with the presentation of two further special recognition awards co-funded by Open University Ireland and ESF.
This project was awarded for capturing and sharing the voices of adult learners in the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board literacy service, highlighting their personal journeys and achievements, especially those who have faced unique challenges in returning to education.
This programme empowers parents or carers who have experienced cumulative trauma and have been denied access to education and societal opportunities.
Congratulations to all the winners, and to all those shortlisted. Everyone involved in adult and community education is part of our community, and making a huge positive impact on people's lives right across the country.
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Got questions? Email ALF@aontas.com