United Nations Week for Adult Learners - He Tangata Matauranga

The importance of life-long education is being celebrated in New Zealand and around the world this week during the United Nations Week for Adult Learners (2-8 September).

The UN Week for Adult Learners is an UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) initiative designed to celebrate the efforts and achievements of adult learners, educators and providers and to promote the importance of adult learning. It is hoped the week will encourage more adults to access the many learning opportunities available in their communities and that it will foster communication among those involved in adult learning.

Associate Minister of Education, Hon Marian Hobbs will launch UN Week for Adult Learners on Monday 3 September at the National Resource centre for Adult and Community Learning, 192 Tinakori Road, Wellington at 4.30pm Ms Hobbs will release the report from the Working Group on Adult Education and Community Learning and announce the Government's next steps in response to their findings. She will also present two national awards for services to adult learning.

Over the following five days there will be celebrations throughout the country with over 20 regional and national networks co-ordinating a wide variety of events.

Highlights will be the presentation of a range of local awards in towns and cities around the country to recognise outstanding adult learners and educators.

At one of the Auckland awards ceremonies on Thursday September 6, a national literacy organisation will be presented with a prestigious UNESCO international literacy prize. It will receive a cheque for US $15,000.00, a silver medal and a diploma.

Adult Learners' Week He Tangata Matauranga is co-ordinated and supported nationally by the New Zealand Commission for UNESCO, the National Resource Centre for Adult Education and Community Learning, Skill New Zealand and the Adult and Community Education Association. The week's major corporate sponsor is The Warehouse.

Media representatives are invited to attend the launch function and to cover the many activities being held during UN Week for Adult Learning.

For more information please contact any of the following spokespeople:

Dorothy McGray,
Waitakere WEA,
tel 09 837 1471;
fax 09 837 1475

Mary Klaver or Elizabeth Rose,
New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO,
tel 04 475 8462; fax 04 499 1004