| Centenary Conference |
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| Written by Colin Neilands | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tuesday, 12 October 2010 11:38 | ||||||||||||||||||
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On 5th October 2010 exactly 100 years to the day since a meeting has held in Belfast to discuss setting up a branch of the WEA, we held our centenary conference in the Stormont Hotel. Over 100 people registered their interest in our topic - Where now for Lifelong Learning? The topic was chosen partly in response to the publication last year of a comprehensive report into the future of lifelong learning in the UK - Learning Through Life (see www.niace.org.uk/lifelonglearninginquiry/default). We were delighted that one of the commissioners of the inquiry and some one with strong connections with N.I., John Field (Prof. of Lifelong Learning at Stirling University) was our keynote speaker. John not only outlined the key recommendations of the Report, but also spoke of the strong evidence base that now exists to show how learning contributes to society and the economy not just by raising critical skills standards, but also by promoting health and well-being, and building stronger families and more active communities.John was followed by presentations from the directors of the WEAs in England, Scotland and Wales, reflecting on the state of play for community adult eduation in particular in their nations. Richard Bolsin also shared the experience of the WEA in England in campaigning before the General Election earlier this year and how key ministers in Westminister are convinced of the value of learning provision from organisations like the WEA. In the afternoon there was a contribution from Daryl Young (DEL) who then joined Trevor Neilands (Northern Regional College), Patricia McKeown (Unison) and Colin Neilands (WEA) on a panel for a Q&A session.
During the conference delegates discussed key learning points for Northern Ireland from the various presentations and then progressed to identify critical developments and commitments that they would like to see in a Manifesto for Lifelong Learning. The WEA is pledged to work with other stakeholders to develop such a manifesto and use this as a tool to lobby candidates in the 2011 Assembly Elections (further information on this campaign will appear on this website in coming months). Speakers' presentations are downloadable below:
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