FALNI celebrate adult learning and plan for action
As part of its role in championing adult learning and keeping it high on the agenda, FALNI held an event in the Long Gallery in Stormont on 16 June to kick start Adult Learners’ Week.
This event organised by FALNI for Adult Learners' Week was part of its role in championing adult learning and providing an opportunity for those with a passion for adult learning to contribute to the debate. Over 30 people participated in the discussion around how adult learning contributes to the economy, social cohesion and health and well-being in Northern Ireland.
This event was hosted in Stormont by the Employment and learning committee but unfortunately Northern Ireland is lagging behind in its support of adult learning and adult learning is in much need of support and funding in order to grow and be effective. Over the past few years there have been several casualties of adult learning in the voluntary and community sector, such as Ulster People’s College and EGSA and sadly in more recent days WEA has closed its doors after over 100 years.
The call to action is more important now than ever. We need to recognise and respond to the needs of learners and find better ways of working with government and other agencies. We need to continue to engage with government demonstrate the value of adult learning in helping people to make the best of their lives, their family and their prosperity. John Darcy from the Open University urged the sector to “Send a strong message to MLAs who have adult learners in all of their constituencies and share stories of the impact of learning of people’s lives”.
The attendees at the event helped to identify the key issues in adult learning and actions needed in the coming years and how investment in adult learning is essential to build a better economy and stronger communities across NI. Robin Swan, chair of the Employment and Learning Committee invited FALNI to present their developed manifesto to the committee in January 2015, which will provide a focus for the work over the coming months. Colin Neilands from FALNI welcomed the invitation the DEL committee and encouraged others with an interest in adult learning to get involved. He said “There is a need to galvanise those who work in adult learning and develop a new manifesto with the learner at the heart of it.”
