The WEA held its Centenary AGM on Tues 5th October in the Stormont Hotel. Out-going Chairperson, Ann Osborne, commented in her address that it was nice for once not to have to open a meeting with the oft-heard words - "It's been another difficult year." Happily in its centenary year the WEA is able to celebrate not just a year of successful delivery, but a year of consolidation in terms of staff and finances.

The special Annual Report reflects on the continuing relevance of the WEA and its provision 100 years after its beginnings in Belfast in 1910. It was established to address educational inequalities and empower marginalised sections of our society - and it continues to do so: in the past year 53% of WEA classes were based in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas and 76% of learners were not in work. In addition the WEA runs programmes targeting the marginalised: Man Matters works to bring men back into learning, Learning to Earning targets the unemployed, and CAP provides advocacy and lobbying skills to older people. Peace III projects in Belfast and the NE, addressing leadership, diversity and community integration, are part of the WEA's ungoing commitment to supporting community development and community relations.

The Annual Report can be downloaded from here:

The AGM was followed by the centenary conference - Where now for Lifelong Learning? A report of the conference can be found here: