AONTAS STARS on the rise
Issued : Saturday 3 November, 2007
This year the number of nominated projects rose to three times the number of those received last year. An independent panel o f judges is now reviewing the nominations. There are eleven categories in total and the judges decision will be announced on Friday December 7th. The awards will then be presented at a special ceremony at the Mansion House early next year as part of the AONTAS Adult Learner's Festival 2008. This will be the second year of the festival, which runs from February 4th to February 8th and which will showcase adult education all around the country. The theme of the festival this year is 'Learning Matters'.
According to AONTAS Director, Berni Brady, the increased level of nominations this year is proof of the level of diversity and activity in this often overlooked sector of Irish education. 'Adult learning goes beyond the formal university setting; all of these initiatives see adults learning in their homes, in their communities and in their workplaces. Although there is now some recognition of the importance of lifelong learning in the workplace, it is also timely to consider the value of adult education in the current dialogue on active citizenship. Many of these initiatives have been developed by local groups around the needs of individual adult learners, and they play a vital role in enabling those involved to play a more active role in their communities'.
Adult education brings people together. For some people, getting involved in adult education has resulted in the establishment of locally organised interest groups such as historical societies, and has helped others become more technically and media literate. Adult education has increased the number of active voters and helped new immigrants to integrate in their communities. AONTAS estimates that over 300,000 adults participate in formal and non formal education each year in Ireland.
As one adult learner who took part in one of the nominated projects described the experience 'I was never very interested in school, I never finished it and I haven't written a page in eleven years only to fill out my children's birth certificates, and it is now after these 10 weeks that I actually enjoy writing.'
ENDS
NOTE to Editors
- AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. AONTAS is a non-government membership organisation, established in 1969. Its mission is to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to contribute to and participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society.
- The STAR awards aim to Showcase Teamwork and Award Recognition. The STAR awards ceremony takes place on February 4th 2008 and marks the beginning of the 2008 Adult Learner's festival which runs until February 8th 2008.
- For a full breakdown of projects nominated, see the attached appendix.
For further information please contact:
Niamh Farren : nfarren@aontas.com
