Galway Projects makes the shortlist for prestigious Adult Education Awards
Issued : Monday 8 February, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Galway Projects makes the shortlist for prestigious Adult Education Awards
Three adult education projects based in Galway have been shortlisted for AONTAS STAR awards, which highlight outstanding examples of adult education each year.
The Ballybane Gals and the Barreltop Wagon , and were both shortlisted in the Connaught category. The Women Together Community Education Calendar is shortlisted in the Once off Initiatives Category. Each category has shortlisted a total of three projects.
Speaking on behalf of FETAC, Ann Devlin, one of the sixteen judges adjudicating on the projects nominated, said. 'The standard of nominations was extremely high this year. It is real testament to the quality of these projects that they have been singled out by the judging panel for their achievements.'
Berni Brady, Director of AONTAS explained the importance of the awards. 'The demand for adult education has increased dramatically in line with unemployment. Last year, AONTAS dealt with over 5,000 queries, up significantly from previous years. The initiatives shortlisted are making a real difference to people who want to develop their skills, or who want to contribute to their own communities. It's important to acknowledge and recognise the achievements of those involved in these difficult times.'
The awards will be presented at a special ceremony at No. 6 Kildare Street on February 22nd, with the names of the winners kept strictly under wraps until then. The Awards Ceremony itself marks the official opening of the AONTAS Adult Learners' Festival 2010 - a weeklong series of events around the country all on the theme of adult learning. Go to www.adultlearnersfestival.com to find an event happening in your area.
AONTAS is also operating a text line from February 1st to March 31st, for adults looking to return to education. Text the word INFO with your name and address to 53377 and for the price of a text message you will receive a copy of the AONTAS Information Booklet free of charge.
If your organisation wants to get involved and organise an activity or hold an event, it's not too late. Contact AONTAS and we will send you a copy of our Event in a Bag which is packed with promotional materials. AONTAS has also put together the A-Z of adult learning activities with lots of ideas for simple things that your group can do to mark the occasion.
More information is available at www.adultlearnersfestival.com.
For more information/contact with shortlisted projects, contact
Niamh Farren, Communications Officer 01 406 8220/087 911 0569
Notes to Editor
1. A total of 39 projects from around the country have been shortlisted, in 13 different categories. For a full breakdown by category, visit www.adultlearnersfestival.com or contact AONTAS. AONTAS received a total of 110 nominations this year.
2. The STAR Awards Ceremony takes place on Monday February 22nd at 2.30pm at No. 6 Kildare Street. The names of the winning projects in each category will be announced at the ceremony. This is the fourth year that AONTAS has co-ordinated the awards initiative.
3. About the Ballybane Gals:The aim of the programme was to enable the parents to become involved in developing a programme to address educational and social issues, to further the goals of combating poverty and social exclusion by giving the group members a voice and empowering them to tell their story and celebrate their lives in the wider community.
4. The Barrel Top Wagon Project aims to construct to a high standard a traditional Traveller Barrel Top Wagon. It is run as part of the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) under the County Galway VEC in partnership with The Western Traveller and Intercultural Development Association (WTIDA) based in the Bru Bhride Centre in Tuam.
5. The Community Education calendar project involves eleven women's community education groups from around Galway City who have each taken a photograph for the calendar that represents their identity as a group. Following a series of workshops with a VEC digital photography tutor, the groups went about their task in capturing an image that they felt gave a sense of what their group was about. Each one has submitted a photograph and information about their particular group which will be included in the calendar. All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go to COPE Waterside House.
6. The Adult Learners' Festival is a nationwide week long series of events which promote different aspects of adult learning. The Festival is supported by the Department of Education and Science, FETAC, ASTI, the TUI and Bluebrick.ie. Participating organisations include local VECs and adult education centres, community groups, as well as The Library Council, GIY Ireland, and the Small Firms Association.
