Explore your local Options - the Adult Learners' Festival
Issued : Friday 23 January, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Explore your local Options - the Adult Learners' Festival
Are you thinking about changing jobs? Would you like to brush up on your skills? Or, learn something you've always wanted and meet new people at the same time? The Adult Learners' Festival gives you the opportunity to explore what learning options are available in your local area. The Festival will run nationwide from February 2nd to February 6th, with hundreds of events due to take place.
According to AONTAS Director Berni Brady, 'The Festival is about celebrating the achievements of thousands of people around the country who decide to go back to education and learning, but also the organisations that support them. Investment in adult learning is a building block in the future success of our economy. Investment in adult learning now will mean a better future for people and their children.'
Information about what is happening during the Festival is updated daily on a special festival website www.adultlearnersfestival.com. Each day of the Festival will promote a different aspect of learning. Monday 2nd February is the launch of the Festival with the STAR Awards Ceremony at Dublin Castle. 300 representatives of adult learning projects around the country will take part in the event which will be formally launched by Sean Haughey TD and Minister for Lifelong Learning. Speaking in advance of the Festival, Minister Haughey said "In today's ever changing and challenging economic environment learners everywhere are embracing and engaging in adult and further education in ever increasing numbers. This is borne out by the numbers of learners we have seen returning to education in recent years. Lifelong learning brings huge benefits not only to individuals but also to wider societyin many different ways, not least in terms of the benefits it brings to our economy.
The STAR Awards and the Adult Learner's Festival will also celebrate the participation and achievements of learners who have already returned to education. It will enable people to investigate their options and will hopefully encourage those who want or need to improve their educational levels to return to education."
Mary Kennedy, RTE personality will present fourteen winning projects with their awards at the ceremony. 'As a former teacher, I'm a strong advocate of the value of education and learning,' Mary says. 'It's not just about what you learn, but also the confidence, growth and self esteem that learning brings. I'm delighted to be associated with this event, and the diverse adult learning projects which were nominated for the STAR awards,' she added.
Tuesday's theme promotes community learning. In Dublin, join Focus Ireland at a marquee in Temple Bar Square and add your own brick to a house which will illustrate the link between learning and education. Drop into your local community centre and find out what courses are on offer.
If you are a budding silver surfer, or would like to learn how to use your mobile phone more efficiently then are a number of learning activities happening on Wednesday specially organised for older learners. Thursday 5th of February is 'Learn @ Work' Day, where AONTAS has joined forces with ICTU (the Irish Congress of Trade Unions) and IBEC (the Irish Business and Employers Confederation) to promote the issue of workplace learning and upskilling.
On Friday, AONTAS will host an event at the National Library in Dublin to communicate a clear message to government about the importance of investment in adult learning. 'We would also like to encourage organisations around the country to use that day to highlight their work and achievements to their local politicians', said Ms Brady.
For the whole month of February, AONTAS will be running a special text line for people thinking of returning to learn. Just text the word INFO, plus your name and address, to 53377, and for the price of a text message (15 cent) you'll receive a copy of the AONTAS information booklet on adult learning.
For more information or local contacts in your area, contact
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer, AONTAS, 01 406 8220/ 087 911 0569
Notes to Editor
1. AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. The organisation's 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. AONTAS currently has over 550 members across the country, including, Vocational Education Committees (V.E.C.s), Third Level Providers, community groups, women's and men's groups, family support agencies, second level schools, training organisations, tutors, learners and interested individuals.
2. This year's Adult Learners' Festival is kindly sponsored by the FETAC, ICTU, the TUI, the ESB, and the Department of Education and Science.
3. The STAR Awards Ceremony - Winning Projects represent a diverse range of adult learning activities and are based in the following areas: Dublin, Galway, Sligo, Laois, Limerick, Clare and Northern Ireland. To arrange media interviews with projects in your area, contact Niamh Farren- nfarren@aontas.com. Photos of the winning projects will be available after the event.
4. For more information about the festival, events, themes and support materials for organisations, please visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com.
For further information please contact:
Niamh Farren : nfarren@aontas.com
