Workshops and Poster Session

Tema

13-12-2007

artiklens forfatter Nordisk Netværk Voksnes Læring

13-12-2007

Workshops and Poster Session

After the key note by the commissioner it was time for the workshops organised in six different groups. The themes covered the main issues of the conference agenda.
1. Learning in later life
2. Consumers as learners
3. Gender issues
4. Migration and participation
5. Access to full citizenship
6. Learning difficulties
The groups were given instructions to summarize their discussions in two recommendations connected to the draft statement of the conference that the general secretariat and general assembly had prepared.

Johanni Larjanko from EAEA introduces the workshops

The activities were very interactive. Most of the groups had a presentation of some project to start off the discussion. Many of these were also represented in the poster presentation of the workshops and projects later after lunch. The conference participants had many opportunities to take leaflets, publications, reports and look at posters prepared by the many projects represented. One of many was the NIACE roll-up presentation of the good examples of migrant worker’s life stories.

Workshop 1. Learning in later life

It is important to challenge long established mindsets, as well as the policy and practice concerning working and learning in later life. We wish to promote the overall wellbeing of older workers and citizens by advocating for more choice and opportunities in work and learning for them.
A critical factor in our future success will be the willingness and ability to listen to what learners of all ages tell us about their learning goals and aspirations. Adult educators must be flexible in their approach; open-minded and supportive; working ‘with’ learners rather than ‘for’ them; and respecting them as adults.

Cases

1. Global Learning with New Generations
Hans Göttel, Europahaus Burgenland
Case (pdf)

2. The network Older workers in the Nordic countries (OWN)
Ingrid Caspersson, Raili Moilanen, Leif Emil Hansen
Case (pdf)

Presentation (pdf)

Workshop 2. Consumers as learners

Today’s society can be characterised as a combination of democracy and capitalism – common actions and dialogue between the free individuals and the free capitalism. It is important therefore to learn to be a critical, responsible and conscious consumer. Not only information but also education is crucial in order to ensure sustainable consumerism. Adult educators should collaborate with the mass media to educate European citizens in the areas of consumer learning and sustainable development.

Cases

1. Consumer-education.eu
Petr Jakubicek
Case (pdf)

2. Dolceta, Maria Schuh
Case (pdf)

Presentation (pdf)

Workshop 3. Gender issues

Specific gender equality policies and gender mainstreaming are dual and complementary strategies and must go hand in hand to reach the goal of gender equality. At a European level the gender mainstreaming issues, like women’s participation in the labour market, women’s participation in lifelong learning, how learning is financed are as actual as before. There is a need for innovatory approaches or good practice in engaging women in learning, recognition of non-formal learning, and contemporary methodologies like networking.
Adult educators and adult education agencies should ask. ‘Are there different GENDERED motivations for participating in networks? The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) should also refocus and reflect on gender issues …

Cases

Gender and the Popular Education Network
Case (pdf)

Workshop 4. Migration and participation

On the basis of the human rights to migrate and have access to education, intercultural learning has to be part of mainstream education. The intention should be to include rather than exclude people from different cultural backgrounds. Different cultures and languages meet in daily life, in offices, hospitals, schools, etc. It is important not only to create innovative ideas which multipliers and networks may implement within adult education settings, but also to create a starting point for the ‘mainstreaming´ of intercultural learning in the overall context of lifelong learning in Europe. Likewise, “bridges should be built” between the learners, and the society and culture in the country where the learners live.

Cases

1. NILE, Ingegerd Axelsson-le Duaron
Case (pdf)

2. Bridges
Case (pdf)

Workshop 5. Access to full citizenship

The question of integration and full citizenship is central when talking about equality. It is important to work with the society on the whole, without isolating the minority community from the majority community. Dialogue, motivating activities that promote inclusion and remove prejudice should be part of adult learning. Thinking about the learning process, may be we should talk about creating suitable learning opportunities instead of equal opportunities!

Cases

1. Education of basic skills for inmates in Matisa prison, Latvia.
Case (pdf)

2. Becoming more visible. Becoming More Visible
An ESF/Equal Project of Reception Centres to create new opportunities for asylum seekers to work and study.
Teija Enoranta, Finnish Association of Adult Education Centres
Case (pdf)

Workshop 6. Learning difficulties

Accessibility is about making it as easy as possible for all members of the society to fully take part in that society. It is about removing barriers. It is about inclusion and empowerment. It is about creating the sort of world that we all want to live in - a message that should talk to all of us.
A methodology of training of trainers and counsellors for orientation in labour market how to understand attitudes and perception of learners is very important for an effective communication among learners, trainers and counsellors. Especially with regard to helping them to gain ICT-competencies combined with an improved quality of negotiation, initiative taking, etc.

Cases

1. E-chance for women
Hana Danihelkova, ATHENA – Association for Education and Development of Women
Case (pdf)

Presentation (pdf)

2. Nordic network on barriers in working life in the lifelong learning perspective
Alfredo de la Nuez, Thor Ingi Danielsson, Teija Enoranta
Case (pdf)

Presentation (pdf)