Document

Celebrate Learning!AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival 2007

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List of Contents Page

Foreword by John Ryan, President of AONTAS 2

Introduction by Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS 3

Section 1: The STAR Awards 5

Background to the STAR Awards 6

Nominated Projects 7

The Ceremony 17

Section 2: The Festival Nationwide 27

Promoting the Festival Nationwide 28

The Adult Learners’ Festival: A Snapshot of Activities Countrywide 28

Section 3: Demand Your Right to Learn 41

Demand Your Right to Learn 42

Conclusion 47

Appendix 49

Complete List of Nominated Projects 50

Contents

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Foreword

The fi rst ever Adult Learners’ Festival took place in

2007 and was a resounding success. I would like to

take this opportunity to say how honoured I am to

have been President of AONTAS during this wonderful

period of growth and development and to see the

organisation’s hard work and planning for the festival

come to fruition.

The festival was an outstanding success and I was

personally delighted to be part of it from start to fi nish.

I would like to congratulate all in AONTAS for their hard

work and commitment to the festival and I salute the

many organisations across the country who contributed

in such an important way, making the festival such an

unforgettable occasion.

I look forward to the establishment of the Adult

Learners’ Festival as a signifi cant annual event in the

adult education calendar and I am quite sure it will

continue to grow in strength and diversity in the years

to come.

John Ryan President of AONTAS

President’s Foreword

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Introduction

The 2007 Adult Learners’ Festival, coordinated by AONTAS, was the first ever nationwide celebration of adult learning to be held in Ireland. The aim of the festival was to highlight the importance and diversity of learning undertaken by adults in a variety of settings, including educational institutions, the home and family, the workplace and the community. As such, it embraced a diverse range of activities, all serving to highlight that learning does not just happen within the confines of the formal education system.

The theme of the 2007 festival was ‘Equal Learning Opportunities for All’, aptly reflecting the theme chosen by the European Commission for 2007, ‘The European Year of Equal Opportunities for All.’ We also wanted to focus on celebrating adult learning and so the opening event featured the STAR (Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition) Awards ceremony for adult learning projects. The STAR Awards, sponsored by FETAC, recognised the collaborative nature of adult learning. The outstanding quality of all nominated projects reflected the standards of excellence that the adult education sector strives to achieve.

Throughout the week of the festival, local coordinators across the country arranged a series of events that collectively helped to highlight the wide range of learning possibilities available and bring adult learning into the public arena. The variety of events that took place truly demonstrated the diversity of the adult learning sector. From adult education fairs to taster music classes, open mornings to exhibitions, guidance events to ‘mind gym’ activities, there was an event to suit all tastes, nationwide.

In addition, AONTAS unveiled a pre-election campaign at the closing event of the festival and a list of demands for the future development of adult and community education as an integral part of overall education policy and spending. This event set the scene for the run up to the 2007 general election and formed the basis of an ongoing campaign to bring the necessity of support for adult learning to the attention of political parties.

In coordinating the festival, AONTAS was kindly supported by the Department of Education and Science, FETAC and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI). We also received outstanding encouragement from a number of national groups, including the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) Active Retirement Ireland, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) the National Youth Council of Ireland and hundreds of supporters and members across the country. The first Adult Learners’ Festival was a huge success and I would like to thank all involved for helping to make it such a memorable event.

Berni Brady Director of AONTAS

also wanted to focus on celebrating adult learning and so the opening event featured the

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Section 1

TheSTAR Awards

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STAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR AwardsSTAR Awards

Background The 2007 STAR Awards ceremony was the culmination of a year of hard work and planning by AONTAS. The

process began in 2006 when we started working with various groups at local and national level, as well as our

members throughout the country, to ensure the first ever nationwide Adult Learners’ Festival could take place

in Ireland and work successfully.

From the start, we wanted the focus of the festival to be on celebrating – celebrating adult learning and

celebrating the achievements of adult learners. For this reason, we decided an awards ceremony would be

the most fitting way to mark the opening of the festival. The STAR Awards Ceremony was about showcasing

teamwork, awarding recognition and acknowledging the fantastic work being done by adult learning projects

throughout the country. Most of all, it was about celebrating the positive contribution that these projects make

to our society, our economy and our local communities.

In keeping with the theme of the AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival 2007, the topic of the STAR Awards was

‘Equal Learning Opportunities for All’. AONTAS looked for adult learning projects with a particular focus on

working collaboratively to provide a learner-centred service. The Awards were open to all those providing or

participating in adult learning across the country. Six awards were made in total – to projects working within

Connaught, Dublin City and County, Leinster (excluding Dublin), Munster, Ulster and throughout Ireland. The six

winning projects received STAR Awards, specially commissioned by AONTAS for the event and designed and

produced by an adult education group at St. Francis Street Community Education Centre, under the direction of

their course tutor, Christian Kotey. Each unique award was hand-made from Irish bog oak.

The quality, quantity and diversity of all 44 nominations received for the STAR Awards was truly inspiring and

was a fantastic reflection of the strength and diversity of Ireland’s adult community education sector.

The 2007 STAR Awards ceremony was the culmination of a year of hard work and planning by AONTAS. The

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Nominated Projects Given the high quality of the nominations received, and the stiff competition within each category, staff

members in AONTAS breathed a collective sigh of relief when they were able to pass the nominations over

to an independent panel of judges. This judging panel was chaired by Bríd Connolly, Lecturer in Adult and

Community Education at NUI Maynooth, and also included Liam Bane, former editor of the Adult Learner

journal; Ann Devlin, representative of FETAC; Dr. Gerry McNamara, Head of the Education Studies School

at Dublin City University; and Mick Power, mature student and adult education tutor.ConnaughtFour adult learning projects were nominated for STAR Awards in the Connaught category. ‘Adult Education

With A Difference’ is based in the Further Education Centre in Swinford, Co. Mayo, and deals with a group

of seven men with specific learning needs, who have attended the centre since September 2005. Prior to

this, the men were in a training centre for people with special needs only, but this worthwhile project has

given them the chance to experience, and benefit from, mainstream services.SAGE (Sligo Adult Guidance in Education) was also nominated for a STAR Award. This project is

affiliated to Co. Sligo VEC and provides educational guidance to adult learners who are considering returning

to education or are studying at present. In Galway, Tuam Community Development Resource Centre

was nominated for an award. This centre provides adult education courses that are complementary to

mainstream courses run by other educational providers. It works in collaboration with the local VEC and

VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme), the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Galway

Rural Development and Galway People’s Resource Centre.

STAR Awards

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The final project nominated in the Connaught category was the ‘Wizard Toolbox Learning Society Game’ – a collection of flexible pedagogical and education instruments, presented in a tutor manual and student workbook format. The project was developed by Women of the North West – a community group in Mayo – as part of a European Socrates-Grundtvig funded project, involving partners in Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Poland and Slovenia.

DublinThe eight projects nominated in the Dublin category all had a strong community focus. The Childcare Training Enterprise Centre at An Cosán in Tallaght was nominated because of the range of innovative aspects the project demonstrates – it links adult education to economic activity and enterprise development in a local context.

In Crumlin, the Catalyst Programme provides training, education and holistic support to people in the community, with specific emphasis on aftercare for those in recovery from substance misuse and their family members. In the same area, Crumlin Community Development Project was nominated because of the example it gives as a community-led project, rather than being agency-led. The project helps set up groups and networks to deal with issues in the community and particularly targets isolated individuals and at-risk groups. Also based in Crumlin, the Loreto Centre was nominated for an award because of its commitment to tackling social and educational disadvantage. The centre is a voluntary-based organisation that responds to people’s need for accessible and affordable education in the local area.

The Clondalkin Women’s Network / CAN project that was nominated for a STAR Award provides training in community development and leadership to women in the local community. The ‘Next Steps’ project – run through Ballyfermot Partnership – is a parent / family involvement measure, which aims to support parents in creating stronger links between learning in school and learning at home.

The Digital Community Project, which is coordinated by Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), aims to give inner-city communities access to technology and exposure to the world of adult learning. It provides high-tech equipment to 19 communities, along with funding and support for training for local residents. Finally, the ‘Moving In’ project, run by the Finglas Cabra Partnership, enables Traveller women in Finglas to access education, training and employment opportunities. The project works with 43 Traveller women and collaborates with the VEC, the local employment centre and Dublin City Council, amongst others.

project that was nominated for a STAR Award provides training

“If you are looking to return to education but haven’t made a decision on which course to choose, then a good resource to tap into is the AONTAS website, www.aontas.com” (Sunday Business Post)

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LeinsterThe Leinster category of the STAR Awards demonstrated the variety of creative methodologies that can

be used to attract adult learners. ‘Behind Closed Doors’ – a VTOS project from Kilkenny – evolved from

a workshop with author and playwright Neville Thompson to the production of a short film dealing with the

harrowing topic of domestic violence. The film was written and produced by the adult learners, many of

whom also took on various roles for the big screen.

Another VTOS group in Leinster – based in Leixlip, Co. Kildare – was nominated for a STAR Award for

the project ‘Our Difference Is Our Strength’. This project involved learners of different ages, ethnic

backgrounds and educational levels working together to prepare for, and participate in, the local St. Patrick’s

Day parade. Also in Kildare, IPEK (Independent Parenting Engage Kildare) was nominated for an award

for its work in combating disadvantage through providing special services for one-parent families. The

programme acts as a first step towards community participation and social inclusion for the most vulnerable

and marginalised families in Kildare.

Co. Carlow Women’s Network was also nominated for a STAR Award. The network comprises 17 different

groups from throughout the county and works to support the development of women’s groups and provide

opportunities for women to meet to share information and experience.

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Meath Opportunities for Training is a FÁS-funded local training initiative that provides basic skills training for participants at an addiction recovery facility in Navan. The project was nominated because of its commitment to rebuilding the confidence and lives of men who have travelled on a long and difficult journey of recovery from addiction.

Back in Kilkenny, the Mobile IT Unit run by BNS Rural Development was nominated for an award due to its work in bringing quality IT training to community venues in rural areas. The unit travels throughout rural Kilkenny and has provided training to over 400 people since it began in 2002.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to fi nd out everything you need to know about returning to education and at a time of year that gives you the time to plan how you are going to make it happen” (Tirconaill Tribune)

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MunsterThe largest number of nominations for STAR Awards was received in the Munster category

– 15 in total. Clare Lifelong Learning Network – a partnership of 70 member groups from

throughout Co. Clare – was nominated because of its work in developing lifelong learning through

promoter collaboration and alternative uses of IT.

In nearby Limerick, the ‘Learn Local’ project was nominated for its work in community-

based learning. ‘Learn Local’ is the umbrella title used to cover adult learning programmes

and services in local communities in Limerick city. It is administered through City of Limerick

VEC. Staying in the same county, the Limerick Women’s Network was nominated for its

work with women living on low incomes, in particular the ‘Organising for Action’ project, which

provided training in lobbying, organising and media strategies to women from local communities.

‘Quality Assurance in Community Education in Limerick’ was also nominated for an award.

An initiative of Limerick Community Education Network, this project provides quality assurance

training and capacity-building to community education coordinators, tutors and support personnel

in Limerick city.

St. Munchin’s ‘Care of the Special Child’ is a collaboration between Limerick Senior College

(LSC) and St. Munchin’s Family Resource Centre, whereby LSC provides outreach training

in childcare to learners at the centre. And finally for Limerick, the ‘Surf to Learn’ project

is a family learning programme, based in Southill. The aim of the project is to develop a

collaborative learning environment where young people and their parents, grandparents, adult

friends or relations can come together to learn about IT.

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In Cork, three projects affiliated to Cork Adult Education Council were nominated for awards: the annual adult education exhibition organised by the Council every year since 1974; the ‘Lunchtime Lecture Series’ – free lectures and recitals held throughout Cork city; and the ‘Third Age Network’ – a network for retired people, which has introduced over 1000 adult learners to courses ranging from woodwork to local studies to personal development.

Co. Kerry was also active in nominating projects for STAR Awards. The Drama Workshop project, run by Kerry Education Service, was nominated for its work with adult learners using drama workshops and storytelling sessions. This project led to the production of a DVD, ‘Every Life is in Search of a Story’, and a drama, ‘Standing at the Crossroads’ about learners’ knowledge and understanding of the political process.

Kerry Adult Guidance Service was nominated for an award because of its commitment to meeting the guidance counselling needs of adult learners and its collaborative work with various adult education groups throughout the county, including VTOS, Senior Traveller Education Centres, jobs clubs, local employment services and citizens’ information centres. The Kerry Deaf Adult Learning Programme also demonstrated high levels of collaboration. This project was the first of its kind in Ireland – it was deaf-led from start to finish and only had deaf participants. It used Irish Sign Language as its teaching medium and employed deaf tutors and various interactive teaching methods to respond to the particular needs of the course participants.

“It certainly is a festival with a difference but then there’s not many festivals that can change the course of your life, increase your earning potential and uncover a fulfi lling career. But the fi rst ever Adult Learners Festival, organized by The National Association of Adult Education, AONTAS, has the potential to do just that.” (Longford Leader)

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Finally in Kerry, the ‘Shadow Theatre’ project was nominated for its work in using drama to assist the integration of new communities in Killarney and help participants develop their English language skills. The technique of shadow theatre was originally developed in Spain and transferred to South Kerry during a Grundtvig learning partnership in 2005. In Tipperary, two adult learning projects were nominated for STAR Awards. KITE (Knockanrawley Information and Training for Employment) is a FÁS-funded local training initiative, hosted and delivered by Knockanrawley Resource Centre. The project is aimed at people hoping to return to the workforce after a period of unemployment or caring duties.

South Tipperary VEC’s REACH project was also nominated for an award. REACH – Reaching Empowerment through Art and Creative Hands – focuses on engaging learners who are marginalised due to special needs and / or age. Participants in the project attend, or are residents in, day-care centres and hospitals in Cashel, Tipperary town and Clonmel.

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UlsterThe ‘Learning for Independent Living’ project is based in a hostel in Belfast that supports alcoholics and substance addicts at various stages of the recovery process. The facilities allow for training in a safe environment, whilst affording access to education and training for a highly marginalised group. Through the support of tutors, staff and peers, some of the project participants even visit local schools to give talks on alcohol to children to allow them make an informed choice.

In Donegal, the Second Chance Education Project for Women received two nominations for STAR Awards. The project promotes and develops accessible, quality, women-led community education and uses the neighbourhood approach to engage women who are marginalised or isolated.

Also in Donegal, Serenity House Learning Centre was nominated for an award. Serenity House has provided a learning centre for Moville and the surrounding area since 1996 and, from small beginnings, has developed over the past 10 years to respond to the needs of the local community. The centre now provides a wide range of courses, covering everything from beginners’ computers to foundation courses for third level entry and teaching qualifications.

Finally in Ulster, the ‘Video Conferencing / Application Sharing and Networking Project’ uses innovative technologies to bring learning to the inmates of HMP Magilligan – a prison based in Limavady, Co. Derry. Through a partnership with the North East Institute Ballymena, learners in the prison use video conferencing to gain qualifications in computer skills and various vocational courses.

“Your work may not change the system, but it is tilting the balance a little bit more in the direction of those who have been disadvan-taged and left out”

(Father Peter McVerry)

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The Ceremony

All-IrelandThe six projects nominated for STAR Awards under the All-Ireland category truly demonstrated the diverse

range of topics covered by the adult education sector in Ireland.

The adult learning centre at An Grianán was nominated for its work in providing computer courses to adult

learners. The centre was established in 1954 and has its roots in the Irish Countrywomen’s Association

(ICA). An Grianán was home to the first ever residential adult education college in Ireland, with summer

schools for women held in the centre for the first time back in 1929.

At the opposite side of the country, An tIonad Glas in Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick was nominated for its

work in training and educating adults to produce, market, prepare and celebrate organic food. The Organic

College runs various educational courses and uses land provided by the local community as a public organic

garden, open for tours and courses during the growing season. Learners at the college also run a market

stall, which is open to the public every Friday.

On a related environmental theme, CELT – the Centre for Environmental Living and Training – was

nominated for a STAR Award for its work in providing education and training in ecology and traditional

skills for people of all ages and backgrounds. The organisation works with a number of groups at local and

national level to spread its ethos of sustainability using local renewable resources.

Based in Trinity College Dublin, the National Institute for

Intellectual Disability is committed to promoting the full

inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in society

through education, research and advocacy. A major

achievement for the Institute has been the development

of the Certifi cate in Contemporary Living – the first

full-time course for people with intellectual disabilities

within an Irish university – and this Certificate was also

nominated for a STAR Award.

Also in Trinity, the Trinity Access Programme (TAP) for

mature students was nominated for an award by a former

participant on the programme. TAP provides a one-year,

full-time bridging course for adults wishing to engage in

third level education. At the heart of the programme is

the acknowledgement that those who have experienced

social and economic disadvantage are under-represented

at third level.

Finally in the All-Ireland category, the Men’s Development Network was nominated for an award for its work in

engaging men in adult learning. The Network maintains

links with men’s groups throughout Ireland and runs a

three-day summer school on an annual basis, where men

are given the opportunity to network and develop a sense

of interconnectedness. The Network has been working

with and educating men for the past 10 years.

All-Ireland

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The CeremonyThe judging panel was very impressed with the exceptional quality of all nominated projects and was faced with the unenviable task of choosing just six projects as overall STAR Award winners. All of the nominated projects were presented with certificates in recognition of their achievements and a number of projects received special recognition by the judges and were awarded certificates as ‘commended’ and ‘highly commended’ projects. (A full list of the nominated projects is appended to this report. See page X). The STAR Awards Ceremony took place in the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin on the opening day of the Adult Learner’s Festival, Monday 22 January 2007. It was officially opened by Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Adult Education, and featured a keynote address by Dr. Hugh Brady, President of University College Dublin. Andrina Wafer, Development Officer with FETAC, also provided some insight into FETAC’s involvement in the STAR Awards.

The following projects were identified by the judges in the ‘highly commended’ category:

ConnaughtSAGE (Sligo Adult Guidance in Education) Sligo VEC, Quay Street, Sligo

Dublin Clondalkin Women’s Network and CAN: Community Development and Leadership Course – c/o Clondalkin Women’s Network, Quarryvale Community and Leisure Centre, Greenfort Gardens, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 The Loreto Centre, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12.

Leinster IPEK (Independent Parenting Engage Kildare) Northwest Kildare Community Development Company Ltd, Allenwood Enterprise Centre, Allenwood, Naas, Co. Kildare

Munster Kerry Adult Guidance Service, Kerry Education Service, Riverside House, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Kerry Deaf Adult Learning Programme, Kerry Deaf Resource Centre, 4 Gas Terrace, Tralee, Co. Kerry

“Your efforts to engage people in further adult education not only brings enormous benefi ts to some individuals in terms of personal de-velopment, incremental knowledge and self-confi dence, but it is trying to undo some of the injustice that is deeply rooted in our society and our educational system”

(Father Peter McVerry)

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KITE (Knockanrawley Information and Training for Employment) Knockanrawley Resource

Centre, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary

The Shadow Theatre Project, South Kerry Development Partnership, The Old Barracks,

Caherciveen, Co. Kerry

The Third Age Network, Cork Adult Education Council, c/o Eva O’Connell, The Elms,

Underwood, Rochestown, Cork

Ulster Serenity House Learning Centre Ltd, 2 Montgomery Terrace, Moville, Co. Donegal

All-Ireland An t-Ionad Glas – The Organic College, Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick

CELT – Centre for Environmental Living and Training, c/o East Clare Community Co-op,

Scariff, Co. Clare

TAP (Trinity Access Programme) for Mature Students, Goldsmith Hall, Trinity College,

Dublin 2

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Six projects were presented with the unique Irish bog oak STAR Awards, in recognition of their remarkable contribution to adult education in Ireland. The first ever STAR Awards winning projects were:

Connaught Tuam Community Development Resource CentreTuam Community Development Resource Centre provides adult education courses that are complementary to the mainstream education services available in Tuam. The Centre collaborates with various local agencies on an ongoing basis, including Co. Galway Vocational Education Committee (VEC), Galway Rural Development, Galway People’s Resource Centre, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway. A significant part of the work of the Centre involves providing supports and advice to the unemployed. The majority of learners accessing the Centre are early school-leavers, unemployed people, in part-time employment or in receipt of social welfare assistance. A childcare service is provided for learners at the Centre and courses are constantly adapted to respond to the needs of the local community.

Dublin An Cosán’s Childcare Training Enterprise An Cosán has 20 years’ experience of delivering learner-centred education, based on community education principles. A key aspect of the organisation’s work is fostering entrepreneurial spirit in Tallaght West, with a view to supporting women’s economic independence. The Childcare Training Enterprise is doing this through providing the necessary supports to develop small-scale private enterprise in early childhood education and care, both in private homes and in community settings. The Enterprise involves local parents, schools and childcare providers, working in collaboration with South Dublin County Childcare Committee, RAPID, Tallaght Partnership, the Tallaght Unemployed Centre, the Health Services Executive and the Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative. Through the Enterprise, 212 women are currently participating in accredited Childcare training, ranging from FETAC Level 4-6, and 36 women are participating in Childcare for Enterprise training. A network for women wishing to establish their own childcare facilities has also been developed and participants are being supported to develop small-scale private enterprises.

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LeinsterMeath Opportunities for Training Meath Opportunities for Training is a FÁS-funded local training initiative that was established in 2004 to provide basic skills training for the participants of Tabor House - an addiction recovery facility, based in Navan. Over the past two years, the project has grown to include participants from the local community. The course caters for 14-16 participants over a four-month period and covers such subjects as woodwork, tiling, manual handling, computers and digital photography. While emphasis is placed on practical skills, the course is delivered under the ethos of self-development and personal advancement - the men participating in Meath Opportunities for Training have often had a long and difficult journey on their road to recovery and the course helps them to regain faith in themselves and to better their lives.

This project began as a three-way partnership between Tabor House, FÁS and the Project Management Committee. Co. Meath VEC is now also involved and Meath Opportunities for Training also collaborates with Youthreach, Meath Partnership, the local Gardaí, Trim Family Resource Centre and local businesses.

MunsterClare Lifelong Learning Network

Clare Lifelong Learning Network is a project made up of 70 members, managed by a development

partnership that includes Co. Clare VEC, the Brothers of Charity, Family Resource Centres in

Killaloe and Kilrush, Clare County Council, Shannon Development, the Department of Social and

Family Affairs and Clare Family Learning.

The Network was established to use partnerships at community, area and thematic level to

develop lifelong learning. The project has now established five area-based learning networks

and five networks on the basis of issue / theme. The aim is to develop a system of lifelong

learning through promoter collaboration and alternative uses of Information Communications

Technology (ICT) to support learning.

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UlsterThe Video Conferencing/Application Sharing and Networking Project The Video Conferencing / Application Sharing and Networking Project is a training programme targeted

at inmates in Magilligan prison in Limavady, Co. Derry. This unique project is a collaboration between

Magilligan Prison and the North East Institute of Further and Higher Education in Ballymena, Co.

Antrim. The project was established in 1998, when Magilligan Prison asked the North East Institute

to provide vocational training for some of its inmates. The Institute is located over 70 miles from the

prison, so a ‘virtual classroom’ was created, using modern technology to link learners at Magilligan

with a lecturer at the Institute.

Each learner at the prison has a standard computer, an audio headset and a video camera, and they

communicate with the lecturer using these tools. Tutors visit the prison on an annual basis and

learners receive a self-study manual each September. Peer tutoring is strongly encouraged, with

learners who have already successfully completed a course encouraging and supporting their fellow

inmates.

All-IrelandThe Certifi cate in Contemporary Living The Certificate in Contemporary Living is the first full-time course for people with intellectual

disabilities within an Irish University. The Certificate is administered by the National Institute for

Intellectual Disability (NIID), based in Trinity College, Dublin. One of its key aims is to ensure

that education at third level for people with intellectual disabilities leads to appropriate employment

opportunities.

The Certificate has generated a lot of interest in other adult education settings throughout Ireland,

and links have been made with various universities, colleges, Institutes of Technology and VECs.

Partnerships have also been developed with various service providers across Dublin, Bray and

Kildare, including St. John of God, Michael’s House, Stewart’s Hospital, Moore Abbey, Sun Beam

House Services and Festina Lente.

The modules included in the Certificate enable participants to become independent, self-reliant adults,

with the potential to contribute fully to society. A major emphasis is placed on career development

and work placement, which leads to permanent part-time or full-time work. Participants are also

encouraged to engage fully in the social experience of college life. Trinity students undertaking

undergraduate degrees in Social Work, Clinical Speech and Language, Nursing and Midwifery learn

cooperatively with participants on the Certificate in Contemporary Living, in modules associated with

their disciplines. Certificate participants also give seminars to Trinity students on what life is like

for them as a learner with intellectual disabilities. This interaction between degree students and the

course participants is seen as formative in developing an awareness of what it means to be disabled.

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STAR Award “Winners”

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STAR Award

“Highly Commended”24 25


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Section 2

The Fest ivalNationwide

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Promoting the Festival

Nationwide AONTAS undertook the overall coordination and promotion of the Adult Learners’ Festival nationwide, but

was assisted by a wide number of groups and organisations across the country in promoting the festival

locally. We were also delighted to receive the support of one of Ireland’s most celebrated and successful

comedians, Pat Shortt, who recorded radio advertisements and assisted AONTAS in raising the profile of the

festival nationally. As a former adult learner, Pat provided valuable insight into his own personal experience in

returning to education and helped to highlight the benefits associated with adult learning.

Adult Learners’ Festival: A Snapshot of Activities Countrywide

A wide variety of activities were organised by various groups around the country throughout the duration of

the Festival. Over the next few pages, we outline just some of the events that helped to make the festival

such a huge success.

ConnaughtGalway A number of coffee mornings took place around the county in the Ballygar Education Centre, the Galway

People’s Resource Centre and the Ros Muc Centre, with information, advice and tips on financial support

available to interested learners.

Participants in the VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) from Ros Muc highlighted the festival

on a morning chat show, ‘Cursaí an Lae,’ on Raidió na Gaeltachta. In addition, a number of Literacy Awareness

events, information sessions and family learning mornings were held in centres such as Glenamaddy Community

School and the Airglooney VTOS Centre.

County Galway VEC also launched its Adult Education Service for North and East Galway and Minister Éamon

Ó Cuív was present to launch a booklet entitled “Adult Education 2007 – Programmes and Services in East and

North Galway”.

Mayo County Mayo VEC officially launched its Adult Learning Services for East Mayo and also helped to raise the

profile of adult education by holding an information open day for new and existing learners in the VEC’s newly

acquired Adult Learning Centre, at the former Augustinian Friary, Ballyhaunis.

Women of the North-West held an information session on education and training opportunities in Moygownagh

Community Centre and ‘Adult Education With a Difference’, one of the projects nominated for a STAR Award

in the Connaught category, held a celebration to mark the achievements of those involved in the project in

Swinford.

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RoscommonCounty Roscommon VEC marked the Adult Learners’ Festival with an evening of gospel music, poetry recitals, traditional music and a showcase of art and design. The evening also involved an exhibition featuring organisations such as FÁS, Teagasc, the Community Development Forum, the Brothers of Charity, Roscommon Partnership, the National Learners’ Network, Roscommon Childcare Committee and the READ Traveller Training Centre.

Sligo The first Sligo Adult Learners’ Festival involved a week of events such as awards ceremonies, open days, coffee mornings, taster classes, political events and lectures including an Adult Learning Fair organised by SAGE (Sligo Adult Guidance in Education – County Sligo VEC) and an open night at Sligo IT with a wide variety of organisations involved such as Sligo VEC, Sligo IT, St. Angela’s College, Lifestart, Fermanagh College, Sligo Family Resource Centre, North Connaught College, Ballinode College, Corran College, Ballymote Mercy College, National Learning Networks, Rossinver Organic Centre and FÁS.

Sligo County Library, Sligo VEC Adult Learning and Education Centre and Sligo National Learning Network also came together to arrange storyteller sessions with various groups, with a view to encouraging learners to start writing their own stories.

LeinsterCarlowCounty Carlow VEC Adult Educational Guidance Service held an Adult Learning Fair, which provided information on the financial and childcare supports available to adults who return to learning and an exhibition on courses available locally. The students of Co. Carlow Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) also held an Arts and Crafts Exhibition throughout the week of the Festival.

Dublin The Tallaght Adult Learners’ Fair, organised in collaboration with Tallaght Institute of Technology (ITT Dublin) County Dublin VEC and the Tallaght Partnership was officially opened by Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Adult Education during the Festival. The Fair provided information, advice and support and also showcased the work of existing students.

Francis Street Community Education Centre provided an opportunity for learners and the wider community to access email and internet tuition, and those taking part were encouraged to send emails to local and national representatives about the importance of community education. The email campaign resulted in a constructive meeting with Éamon Ó Cuív TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, in Leinster House.

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Meanwhile, the INVOLVE Project held an innovative creative learning workshop, using voice, movement

and fun in Mulhuddart Community Centre. Whitechurch Library hosted a very successful open evening

resulting in increased interest in course participation for autumn 2007.

The Warremount Community Education Development Centre in Blackpitts held an event entitled ‘Justice

– Not Just Us’ aimed at raising awareness of trade issues and practices. The DIT Music Conservatory

hosted two taster classes on music learning for adults and followed this with an information session on

what music courses are available at DIT.

UCD hosted a mature student information evening aimed at prospective mature students thinking of

embarking on an undergraduate programme in UCD in the coming academic year, while Trinity Access

Programme (TAP) participants distributed posters in their local communities to promote the benefits of

the course and the options open to learners under the programme.

Soilse held a ‘learning for living’ series of workshops and seminars facilitated by former participants

in their addiction recovery facility. The series focused on recovery, empowerment and transformation.

Finally, the Finglas Cabra Partnership and City of Dublin VEC (CDVEC) ran a programme of events

to celebrate the achievements of learners who participated on Partnership and Adult Basic Education

programmes during 2006.

Meanwhile, the INVOLVE Project held an innovative creative learning workshop, using voice, movement

30 31


KildareEvents such as a coffee morning and information session organised by the Mature Students’ Society in

Maynooth provided information on the personal and practical aspects of returning to third level education

and, together with talks from academic staff and past learners, it gave potential learners an insight into

what is involved in returning to third level as a mature student.

Network Kildare held enrolment sessions during the festival for two new courses: Active Citizenship and

Women Today – the Position of Women in Irish Society. Meanwhile, Co. Kildare VEC provided Training

for Trainers as part of the Voter Education Programme and an Intercultural Diversity Training for Tutors

course and NUI Maynooth held an Integrating Literacy Day.

Kilkenny Co. Kilkenny’s VEC’s VTOS group held a presentation ceremony for a short drama production the

group worked on during the past year. Co. Kilkenny VEC also held an Adult Education information

and enrolment evening, while Coláiste Mhuire held information and enrolment evenings for

upcoming classes.

LaoisThe Abbeyleix Further Education Centre and Laois Adult Guidance Service held a coffee and

information morning and provided the opportunity for prospective students to avail of the services

of guidance counsellors and to chat to past and present students.

Longford Throughout the Adult Learners’ Festival, Longford VEC concentrated on highlighting the wide

range of services available to adult learners in Longford, including 20 fulltime further education

courses offered by five centres throughout the county.

“It was a wonderful success, it was really worth doing. It gave us the opportunity to show other tutors and the wider community exactly what we do here.” (Marian O’Mahoney, co-ordinator, Adult Education Centre, Fermoy)

30 31


Louth The Community Development Agency (CDA) officially launched its cross-border training project, with Senator Mary O’Rourke, Michael O’Dowd, Mayor of Drogheda, Newtownabbey DUP Councillor Victor Robinson and Ide Lenihen, CDA Event Organiser in attendance.

Meanwhile Newtownabbey and Drogheda Inter-Community Partnership also held a coffee morning in Dundalk VEC and Drogheda Community Forum and Faughan-Coushquin Historical Societies launched “Historical Circles,” a DVD detailing the history of the two walled cities of Drogheda and Derry. The DVD was produced as an educational tool for schools and libraries in the region and was officially launched by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD.

The National Learning Network in Dundalk hosted a number of information mornings providing information for people out of work due to accident, disability or illness who wish to retrain and return to work, while the Louth Women’s Network held a Certificate Presentation Morning in Teagasc for members who had successfully completed a FETAC Level Art and Design course in spring 2006.

St. John and St. Paul SNS Drogheda held a Certificate Presentation Morning to present the current parent’s computer group with FETAC Component Certificates for successfully completing Level 3 Computer Literacy in autumn 2005. The Irish Wheelchair Association in Drogheda held an exhibition of the art and craftwork completed by members who participated in community education classes.

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Offaly OAK Partnership organised a function to celebrate the achievements of 50 learners receiving FETAC Certificates. The learners participated in the Edenderry and Rathangan First Chance Programmes, the Rathangan Computer and Office Skills Programme and the Edenderry Joblink and Job Initiative Programmes.

Meanwhile, Offaly VEC’s Adult and Further Education Service held an exhibition on the broad range of programmes available to adult learners featuring information on Youthreach, the Third Level Access Service, Community Education and the Senior Travellers’ Training Centre.

The Offaly Outreach Education Project held an Adult Learners’ Night, featuring a number of guest speakers, including people in the community who had already returned to education, Tullamore’s National Learning Network hosted a coffee morning and North Offaly Development held a ‘Returning to Education as a Mature Student’ event

“It is always a pleasure to participate in an event such as this. While the Government puts in place the structures for the delivery of education, the involvement of the whole community is essential to the successful implementation of educational policy and this is particularly evident here”

(Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern TD)

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“I found it very challenging to return to learning as an adult. But I also found it hugely rewarding and I’d encourage adults throughout Ireland to check out what’s happening in their area during the Adult Learners’ Festival and to attend the various events so they can see what’s on offer. Adult learning can be great craic – everyone should give it a go!” (Pat Shortt)

WestmeathCounty Westmeath VEC, in association with the Adult Education Centre and the Shannonbank Training and

Education Centre, Athlone, held a welcoming Information Open Day, providing details on adult learning

throughout the county for individuals and groups alike.

Killucan Area Services highlighted the festival by consulting with learners and tutors about a forthcoming

celebratory event and informing local media of the achievements of learners in the Killucan Area Services

Community Education Programme.

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Wicklow Wicklow Working Together and County Wicklow VEC organised an executive business breakfast for employers to brief them on the benefits of FETAC and NQAI qualifications and this was followed by ‘Unlock Your Potential’, an exhibition inviting new and existing members of the community to sample the range of adult education courses on offer in the region. The Parents’ Education Programme of Ballywaltrim’s School Completion Programme hosted an innovative fun and challenging ‘Mind Gym’ Workshop, which used games, challenges, quizzes, puzzles and discussions to explore how the mind works.

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Wexford Access 2000 held a coffee morning, with over 70 people in attendance, and reported a huge

level of interest in the variety of learner-centred courses available in Wexford. County Wexford

VEC also opened up their adult learning centres to the public and offered promotional material

outlining services available to those interested in pursuing further education. Wexford Town

Library held a talk by local author Mary Malone on ‘Women Mystics’ and New Ross Library held

a reading group as part of the festival.

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Munster

ClareClare Adult Learner Guidance Service hosted open days in the Clare VEC Adult Education Centre, where an Information Officer was on hand to answer queries. During the week of the festival, adult learners gave a short account of their learning experiences each morning on ‘Morning Focus’, a radio programme broadcast on Clare FM.

Radio Corca Baiscinn also featured interviews with a number of West Clare VTOS learners, speaking about their experiences of adult education on Michael O’ Connell’s morning show. Clare Adult Guidance Service also launched a DVD entitled ‘A Journey Through Education’ showing the journeys of three learners who returned to education as mature students.

Third Level Provision held an information evening on ‘Exploring Third Level Opportunities in Co. Clare’ in the Adult Education Centre in Kilrush organized by CLLN in association with Shannon Development, Clare County Council and Clare VEC. NUI Galway, GMIT (Galway Mayo Institute of Technology) and Clare Lifelong Learning Network also held an information evening for those interested in pursuing a degree.

Cork A number of agencies providing training and education for adult learners came together with the Haven Family Resource Centre to provide information and advice to prospective learners in Beara. Tutors gave taster sessions and learners’ coursework was on display, together with artwork provided by the patients of St. Joseph’s Hospital under the artist in residence scheme. An informal awards night was also held to present certificates to FETAC learners who successfully completed courses in Spanish, Communications, Computer Literacy, Irish and Caring for Children with Special Needs.

In addition, the West Cork Community Partnership (WCCP), Citizens’ Information Service, University College Cork (UCC) and the VEC Adult Guidance Service provided an information evening for adult learners; the Fermoy Adult Education Centre held an open day and the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation held an outdoor event entitled “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” as part of the festival.

UCC also held a number of lectures and workshops, including a talk by a stress management expert, featured on RTE’s How Long Will You Live on useful techniques in dealing with daily stress. Renowned Cork comedian Billa O’Connell also gave a talk in UCC on ‘The Humour of Cork City’.

The Macroom Adult Learning Centre held an exhibition and information evening, Ballincollig Family Resource Centre held an open morning, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) held an information evening for mature students, Mallow Return to Education Centre held an open evening and the Sutherland Centre in Skibbereen held an open day.

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KerryIT Tralee Mature Students’ Society celebrated the Adult Learners’ Festival with a number of successful

events including a CAO workshop, a Multimedia Workshop and a coffee morning.

KADE (Kerry Action for Development Education) delivered an information session on the Kingdom of Lesotho

and the ‘Twinning the Kingdoms’ project between Kerry and Lesotho. Irish Countrywomen’s Association

(ICA) learners were encouraged to participate in the twinning project.

The Kenmare Adult Education Centre

organised an open week for new and existing

members and the Drama Workshop Project,

based in Kerry Education Service, performed

its play ‘Standing at the Crossroads’ for

the Kerry Education Service Committee

members. This project had been nominated

for an award in the Munster category of the

STAR Awards.

The North Kerry Educational Programme

and An Tochar Adult Education Centre

in Causeway also held various open

workshops, dealing with topics such as

healthy eating and pottery.

LimerickCounty Limerick VEC’s Adult Education

Guidance Service organised a number of

events, including the official opening of the

Limerick West Lifelong Learning Network,

the launch of publications by BTEI at the

Adult Learner Resource Centre, KIFET

and the Senior Traveller Training Centre

in Rathkeale and a number of learner

workshops and activities throughout the

county.

The University of Limerick (UL) held an

Introduction to University Programme,

providing members of the public with

an opportunity to sample a number of

disciplines on offer at degree level.

The Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) launched its 2006

Annual Report as part of an overall learner’s festival event, organised in association with City of Limerick

VEC, while PAUL Partnership held a Volunteer Fair event with keynote speakers from local voluntary

groups

Tipperary One of the most innovative events of the entire Adult Learners’ Festival took place in Tipperary, where

Tipperary Institute funded a ‘Learning Bus’ to collect adult learners from 10 different towns throughout the

county and bring them on a visit to the Institute to find out information on the courses on offer there and

view the work of adult learners on display on campus.

South Tipperary VEC launched a new Adult Guidance Service, STAGES (South Tipperary Adult Guidance

in Education Service) during the festival and also held an adult education information event, providing over

250 guests with information and advice from tutors and course co-ordinators.

The Kenmare Adult Education Centre

organised an open week for new and existing

members and the Drama Workshop Project,

based in Kerry Education Service, performed

its play ‘Standing at the Crossroads’ for

the Kerry Education Service Committee

members. This project had been nominated

for an award in the Munster category of the

The North Kerry Educational Programme

and An Tochar Adult Education Centre

in Causeway also held various open

workshops, dealing with topics such as

County Limerick VEC’s Adult Education

The Limerick Community Education Network (LCEN) launched its 2006

Annual Report as part of an overall learner’s festival event, organised in association with City of Limerick

38 39


A special forum for adult learners also took place in Tipperary town, organised by Knockanrawley Resource Centre, the Local Family Resource Centre, RAPID and the Equality for Women Measure. It included speakers from the University of Limerick, Tipperary Institute, South Tipperary Vocational Education Committee and the Knockanrawley Resource Centre. Knockanrawley Centre also held an awards ceremony for its adult learners.

Waterford Waterford City Council Library Services in conjunction with the Men’s Development Network, presented a talk on “Barriers to Men and Women in Education” in the Ardkeen Library.

Waterford’s Women Centre displayed artwork in the Waterford Institute of Technology College Street Campus to show how learning and community activism and collaboration between community and mainstream education is possible.

Ulster CavanCounty Cavan VEC promoted and publicised its various adult education services in local newspapers and radio stations. The VEC also distributed its spring 2007 programme and promoted the Adult Learners’ Festival in Cavan town.

Donegal The Second Chance Education Project for Women, which promotes accessible and affordable women-centred education, marked its tenth anniversary with a celebratory dinner at Castle Grove House during the festival. The occasion provided a great opportunity for former participants, tutors and representatives from other organisations to meet and chat about their experiences.

Almost fifty educational organisations took part in a very successful adult education fair organised by County Donegal VEC Adult Education Service where organisations exhibited their courses, facilities and services.

Monaghan County Monaghan VEC celebrated lifelong learning by holding an Open Day for prospective learners, highlighting the wide range of services available in Monaghan, including an Adult Literacy and Basic Skills programme, which uses innovative speech recognition technology to help adults to improve literacy and numeracy skills.

Northern Ireland Throughout the Adult Learners’ Festival, AONTAS linked in with EGSA (the Educational Guidance Service for Adults) to ensure the festival had a true all-Ireland reach. EGSA supported the festival by promoting it throughout the six counties of Northern Ireland and distributing festival materials.

is possible.

Ulster CavanCounty Cavan VEC promoted and publicised its various adult education services in local newspapers and radio stations. The VEC also distributed its spring 2007 programme and promoted the Adult Learners’ Festival in Cavan town.

Donegal The Second Chance Education Project for Women, which promotes accessible and affordable women-centred education, marked its tenth anniversary with a celebratory dinner at Castle Grove House during the festival. The occasion provided a great opportunity for former participants, tutors and representatives from other organisations to meet and chat about their experiences.

Almost fifty educational organisations took part in a very successful adult education fair organised by County Donegal VEC Adult Education Service where organisations exhibited their courses, facilities and services.

Monaghan County Monaghan VEC celebrated lifelong learning by holding an Open Day for prospective learners, highlighting the wide range of services available in Monaghan, including an Adult Literacy and Basic Skills programme, which uses innovative speech recognition technology to help adults to improve literacy and numeracy skills.

Northern Ireland Throughout the Adult Learners’ Festival, AONTAS linked in with EGSA (the Educational Guidance Service for Adults) to ensure the festival had a true all-Ireland reach. EGSA supported the festival by promoting it throughout the six counties of Northern Ireland and distributing festival materials. Northern Ireland and distributing festival materials.

“This is the fi rst time an Adult Learners’ Festival has been held in this country and I wish to commend the AONTAS staff for organizing this very worthwhile event. I am

hugely impressed by the scope and scale of the most interesting and varied programme of events.”(Seán Haughey TD, Minister of State, Dept of Education and Science)

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40


Section 3

Demand YourRight To Learn

49


Demand Your Right To Learn

“Funding for adult education is a surprise pre-election hot potato with 300,000 adult learners at AONTAS rolling out a sizzling list of demands to the government” (Irish Examiner)

ight ight AONTAS launched its pre-election campaign for the general election at the closing event of the Adult Learners’ Festival on 26 January 2007. We strongly encouraged all of our members to support our pre-election campaign by lobbying their local politicians and putting adult education firmly on the political agenda.

At the closing event of the festival, AONTAS Director, Berni Brady presented a list of demands to government and opposition parties, on behalf of the adult education sector. These demands formed the basis of our campaign in advance of the 2007 General Election and were devised following extensive consultation with our members throughout the country. Professor Tom Collins, Head of Education at NUI Maynooth then delivered a keynote address, emphasising the need for a consensus in Ireland on the commitment to lifelong learning.

A panel of speakers made up of Seán Haughey TD, Minister for Adult Education, Olwyn Enright TD, Fine Gael, Jan O’Sullivan TD, Labour, Seán Crowe TD, Sinn Féin and Eileen McDermott from the Green Party’s Education Working Group responded accordingly and accepted comments and questions from the many AONTAS members and associates present. Brian Mooney, Irish Times columnist chaired the event.

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AONTAS made the following demands:

1. The Minister of State for Adult Education should have a cross-departmental focus and budget, incorporating the Department of Education and Science; the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

2. The government must put in place – as a matter of urgency – an overarching national structure for adult and community education. Coordinating structures at local level should also be put in place and should

be led out by the VECs.

3. Investment in adult education should increase by 1% of the overall education budget each year between now and 2013. A capital expenditure budget for adult education should also be put in place, with an initial

spend of €12m, allocated through the VECs. The government must also double investment in community education and in adult literacy, and provide at least €45m between now and 2013 to develop and expand the Adult Educational Guidance service.

4. Fees for part-time learners in higher education should be abolished.

5. Paid educational leave should be introduced for workers with Junior Certificate qualifications or less.

“Fine Gael, the Labour Party, the Green Party and Sinn Féin all pledged their commitment to reinstating the National Adult Learning Council (NALC) if in government after the next election” (Irish Independent)

42 43


6. A childcare allowance should be integrated into all adult and community education programmes. The existing childcare allowance provided by the government to participants on some adult education courses must be doubled to €127 and reviewed on an annual basis.

7. The Back To Education Initiative (BTEI) must continue to receive increased investment. People earning less than €35,000 should not have to pay any course fees to participate in the BTEI.

8. The eligibility criteria for the Back To Education Allowance (BTEA) must be revised to include low-paid workers, and BTEA payments should be for a full 12 months, rather than the existing practice of making payments for the academic year only.

9. As recommended in the White Paper on Adult Education seven years ago, the Inter-Agency Working Group on qualifications for adult education workers should be established immediately. An integrated training budget and integrated training supports for adult education workers should also be provided, under the remit of the VECs.

10. A national forum must be established for all parties involved in the education and training of adults with special educational needs.

AONTAS President John Ryan concluded the session with a plea that each party would pledge to re-instate the National Adult Learning Council (NALC) if in government after the General Election. Fine Gael, the Labour Party, the Green Party and Sinn Féin all immediately pledged their support, while Deputy Haughey said the situation was under review. Berni Brady welcomed the commitment of the opposition parties to re-establishing NALC and said it was crucial for the adult learning sector.

The launch of the ‘Demand Your Right to Learn’ campaign generated considerable media coverage and also resulted in the tabling of a number of parliamentary questions in Dáil Éireann highlighting the issue of adult education.

“Professor Tom Collins, Head of Education at NUI Maynooth, called for a commitment to lifelong learning from all those involved in the education system” (Irish Independent)

44 45


“AONTAS says funding for adult education stands at only 2 per cent of the total education budget and

this fi gure should increase by 1 per cent each year until 2013” (Irish Times)

“Seán Crowe said the coalition had failed to recognise the scale of educational disadvantage” (Irish Times)

44 45


“The reinstatement of a national structure for adult and community education is one of the main changes that Aontas, the National Association

for Adult Education, hopes to see introduced during the term of the next government” (Irish Times)

“Director Berni Brady said AONTAS would mobilise adult learners to ensure they demanded

their right to learn” (Irish Independent)

46 47


Conclusion

In planning the Adult Learners’ Festival, AONTAS never anticipated the overwhelmingly positive reaction we would receive across the country. The enthusiastic response from education and training partners to the festival, as well as from member groups around the country and the general public, completely exceeded our expectations and confirmed the fact that there is a huge thirst for adult learning in Ireland and great potential for developing and supporting it.

The development of the festival would not have been possible without the much-appreciated support of organisations such as the Department of Education and Science, FETAC and the NQAI. We are also indebted to the IVEA, NALA, Active Retirement Ireland and the National Youth Council of Ireland for their assistance. At a local level, we received huge support from our members and various organisations and groups throughout Ireland and the AONTAS Executive, who also took a lead role in promoting and developing the festival regionally.

The festival received a significant amount of media attention in 2007 and we are certain it succeeded in putting the issue of adult education firmly back on the political and public agenda. To build on this momentum, we immediately started to plan the second annual AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival, which takes place from 4-8 February 2008. Once again, the festival will be coordinated and promoted by AONTAS, with the support and participation of our members and various adult and community education groups throughout the country. The 2008 festival is sure to be even better than the first, with more organisations involved and an even greater array of activities and events open to learners.

The promotion of adult learning is a primary objective for AONTAS throughout the duration of our new Strategic Plan and the continued development of the Adult Learners’ Festival is our key priority. The level of support for this festival has given us great hope for the future and we plan to expand our networks, partnerships and resources further as we continue to move forward. In time, we hope the Adult Learners’ Festival will become an annual event that will not only help to keep adult education to the forefront of public and political consciousness but will also assist in securing the reality of lifelong learning for all adults.

Berni BradyDirector of AONTAS

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48


Section 4

Appendix

49


Appendix 1:

Nominated Projects

Connaught

STAR Award: Tuam Community Development Resource Centre, Bishop Street, Tuam, Co. Galway

Highly Commended: SAGE (Sligo Adult Guidance in Education), Sligo VEC, Quay Street, Sligo

Commended: ‘Adult Education With A Difference’, Further Education Centre, Dublin Road, Swinford, Co. Mayo

The Wizard Toolbox Learning Society Game – Women of the North West, Moygownagh Community Centre, Ballina, Co. Mayo

DublinSTAR Award: An Cosán’s Childcare Training Enterprise, Kiltalown Village Centre, Jobstown,

Tallaght, Dublin 24

Highly Commended: Clondalkin Women’s Network and CAN: Community Development and Leadership Course – c/o Clondalkin Women’s Network, Quarryvale Community and Leisure Centre, Greenfort Gardens, Quarryvale, Clondalkin, Dublin 22

The Loreto Centre, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12

Commended: The Catalyst Programme, Athrú Education and Training Institute, Unit 5A, Sunshine Industrial Estate, Crumlin, Dublin 12

Crumlin Community Development Project, Unit 1 Goldstone Court, Clogher

Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12

The Digital Community Project, Dublin Institute of Technology, 23 Mountjoy Square East, Dublin 1

The ‘Moving In’ Project, Finglas Cabra Partnership, Rosehill House, Finglas Road, Finglas, Dublin 11

‘Next Steps’, Ballyfermot Partnership, Ballyfermot Civic Centre, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

LeinsterSTAR Award: Meath Opportunities for Training, Tabor and Community Training Initiative

Ltd, Steeple Buildings, High Street, Trim, Co. Meath

Highly Commended: IPEK (Independent Parenting Engage Kildare), North West Kildare Community Development Company Ltd, Allenwood Enterprise Centre, Allenwood, Naas, Co. Kildare

Commended: ‘Behind Closed Doors’, Kilkenny VTOS, Bishop Birch Training Centre, Waterford Road, Kilkenny

50 51


Co. Carlow Women’s Network, c/o Ms. Catherine Delaney, ‘Roscooltin’, Ballinacarrig, Quinagh, Carlow

The Mobile IT Unit – BNS Rural Development Ltd, 42 Parliament Street, Kilkenny

‘Our Difference Is Our Strength’ – St. Patrick’s Day Parade project, Leixlip VTOS, Scoil Eoin Phóil, Green Lane, Leixlip, Co. Kildare

MunsterSTAR Award: Clare Lifelong Learning Network, Unit 10A, Carmody Street Business Park,

Carmody Street, Ennis, Co. Clare

Highly Commended: Kerry Adult Guidance Service, Kerry Education Service, Riverside House, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Kerry Deaf Adult Learning Programme, Kerry Deaf Resource Centre, 4 Gas Terrace, Tralee, Co. Kerry

KITE (Knockanrawley Information and Training for Employment), Knockanrawley Resource Centre, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary

The Shadow Theatre Project, South Kerry Development Partnership, The Old Barracks, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry

The Third Age Network, Cork Adult Education Council, c/o Eva O’Connell, The Elms, Underwood, Rochestown, Cork

Commended: Cork Adult Education Council’s Annual Exhibition, Cork Adult Education Council, c/o Eva O’Connell, The Elms, Underwood, Rochestown, Cork

The Drama Workshop Project, Kerry Education Service, Adult Literacy and Basic Education, Moyderwell, Tralee, Co. Kerry

‘Learn Local’, City of Limerick VEC Adult Education Service, MTI Building,

O’Connell Avenue, Limerick

Limerick Women’s Network, 5 Verdant Crescent, Kings Island, Limerick

The ‘Lunchtime Lecture Series’, Cork Adult Education Council, c/o Maire Martin, Ros Nuala, Brookfield Lawn, The Lough, Cork

‘Quality Assurance in Community Education in Limerick’, Limerick Community Education Network, c/o Our Lady of Lourdes Action Centre, Greenfields Cross, Rosbrien, LimerickThe REACH (Reaching Empowerment through Art and Creative Hands), South Tipperary VEC Adult Education Service, The Mall, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

St. Munchin’s ‘Care of the Special Child’ Project, St. Munchin’s Family Resource

Centre, Clonconnane Road, Ballynanty, Limerick

The ‘Surf To Learn’ Family Learning Programme, Limerick City Community ICT Steering Group, c/o Seán O’Dwyer, Moyross Community Enterprise Centre, Moyross, Limerick

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UlsterSTAR Award: The Video Conferencing, Application Sharing and Networking Project, c/o Dr.

Brian Hill, Head of Innovation and Development, the North East Institute of Further and Higher Education, Ballymena Campus, Trostan Avenue, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

Highly Commended: Serenity House Learning Centre Ltd, 2 Montgomery Terrace, Moville, Co. Donegal

Commended: Learning for Independent Living, Springwell House, 377-381 Springfield Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT12 7DG

Second Chance Education Project for Women, c/o VEC Offices, Ard O’Donnell, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

All-IrelandSTAR Award: The Certificate in Contemporary Living, National Institute for Intellectual

Disability, 4th Floor, Trinity College, 3 College Green, Dublin 2

Highly Commended: An tIonad Glas – The Organic College, Dromcollogher, Co. Limerick

CELT – Centre for Environmental Living and Training, c/o East Clare Community Co-op, Scariff, Co. Clare

TAP (Trinity Access Programme) for Mature Students, Goldsmith Hall, Trinity College, Dublin 2

Commended: ‘Adult Learning at An Grianán’, An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth

The Men’s Development Network, 30 O’Connell Street, Waterford

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www.aontas.com

Celebrate Learning!AONTAS Adult Learners’ Festival 2007


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