2009 adult learners festival

Details of the third annual Adult Learners' Festival takes place from 2nd to the 6th of February 2009. 

Organisers of the event Aontas, the National Adult Learning Organisation, hope to achieve the following targets:

• Celebrating adult learning and the achievements of adult learners
• Showcasing the work of adult education providers
• Promoting the work of AONTAS and the adult education sector
• Ensuring that adult education is placed firmly on the political agenda 

This year's festival will feature themed days:

Monday, 2 February 2009: 'Celebrate Learning!'
To launch the Adult Learners's Festival 2009, Aontas will host the STAR (Showcasing Teamwork, Awarding Recognition) Awards Ceremony for adult learning projects, which takes place at Dublin Castle on February 2nd. The STAR Awards initiative is about recognizing the valuable contribution adult learning initiatives make to the economy, society and community.

Tuesday, 3 February 2009: 'Learn in your Community'
AONTAS are encouraging community education groups throughout the country to hold an event to celebrate and promote the valuable work they undertake

Wednesday, 4 February 2009: 'Never too Old to Learn'
The day will bring together senior learners to take part in the Senior Learners Network. During this event, Aontas research on the learning needs of older people in Ireland will be launched and the Forever Young Choir will perform. 

Thursday, 5 February 2009: 'Learn @ Work'
Aontas in conjunction with a number of organisations including IBEC, Dublin Employment Pact, SFA, ICTU and the NCPP to name but a few are encouraging all those engaged in workplace learning to hold an event or activity to celebrate Learn @ Work Day. From a Learning Needs Noticeboard to an Information Session for staff with a little help from the Aontas information booklet, there is a way to celebrate learning in the workplace! The AONTAS Information Booklet contains everything you need to know about returning to learning.

Friday, 6 February 2009: 'Lobby for Learning'
To mark the close of the Adult Learners' Festival, Aontas will host a lively and interesting policy-focused event on Friday, 6th February. The theme of this event is 'Adult Learners are a Good Investment'. Aontas are undertaking a cost benefit analysis of three very different learners; charting their individual learning journeys as well as the economic value of their learning. Adult Learning organisations nationwide will be holding similar 'Lobby for Learning' events with local public representatives at the same time.

Aontas are asking that as many groups and individuals as possible get involved in the Adult Learners' Festival. Whether you are part of a large national organisation or a small initiatve, your participation will help to make the festival a success.  

Aontas will publicize all activities on the festival website: www.adultlearnersfestival.com, as well as helping you promote your event in the media. Aontas will also feature festival activities in their e-bulletin and in local and national press releases. In the run-up to the Adult Learners' Festival, Aontas will circulate posters, themed event ideas and much more to all organisations that want to get involved.

If your organisation would like to become involved in the 2009 festival, please contact Aontas on 01-4068220 or alternatively email mail@aontas.com