Lifelong Learning Week "Teden vseživljenjskega učenja (TVU)"

In 1996, the first Lifelong Learning Week (LLW) in Slovenia was conceptualized and implemented. Since then, its highest aim has been to contribute to the growth of a culture of lifelong learning embodied in the LLW slogan: ‘Slovenia, a learning country’. Due to the enthusiasm and commitment of all people involved, the learning festival has become an annual manifestation of "learning for all". It has meanwhile developed into a traditional event for institutions, interest groups and individuals in the field of learning – either taking the role of those who enrich the knowledge of others or those who are (or would like to be) involved in learning themselves.

Through the national coordination by the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education as well as through the regional and thematic coordination by a growing number of LLW coordinators, the network of about 600 providers of LLW events has been established. This partnership covers all generations and helps to illuminate the role of learning in different fields of public as well as private life. Among the LLW friends are kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, faculties and universities, folk high schools, private providers of educational programmes, universities of the third age, study circles, information and counselling centres, but also clubs and associations, NGOs, sport and health centres, social centres, employment offices, libraries and book stores, museums, rural and regional development centres, and even municipalities. Even media (radio and TV stations, newspapers and magazines) are increasingly getting engaged in this awareness-raising process.

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 events are organized annually. They are targeted at children, students, adults and the elderly, the employed and unemployed, professionals and amateurs, teachers and learners, politicians and decision makers, inhabitants of rural areas or towns. Some events are specialised for one specific target group, others are designed to enable people of different ages or various public roles to meet, share and exchange experience, knowledge and understanding.

For many, LLW is a rare or even unique opportunity to present their activities and achievements to their local community and to move out of anonymity to the centre stage of public interest. Therefore, a traditional component of the Slovenian LLW has been the presentation of awards for outstanding learning achievements. In the years 1997 – 2006, 126 prizes have been awarded, 59 to individual learners and groups for enhancing their own knowledge, and 67 to individuals, institutions, local communities and others for professional and promotional achievements in enriching the knowledge of others (see http://llw.acs.si/awards/). Their example has been an encouragement to many other people and their self-affirmation is yet another reason for them to continue their personal development.

LLW is financially supported by:

The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs which, according to the annual work plan of the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education, provides funds for direct and staff costs of the LLW national coordination as well as the organisation of LLW events at the national level; and
The Ministry of Education and Sport which publishes an annual call for tenders regarding the regional/thematic coordination of LLW as well as the organisation of LLW events at the local level.

In addition to public funds, LLW providers and coordinators to a large extent invest their own money and energy; they also strive for the support of sponsors, donors and engage other sources.

Being part of the International Adult Learners Week/Learning Festivals movement, the Slovenian LLW has also played a major role in transferring know-how and experiences related to the setting up of learning festivals to other countries within the South-Eastern European region as well as world-wide. Examples of LLW's international involvement are also the project "Widening and Strengthening the European Dimension of the LLW Movement" (see http://www.llw5.org) as well as the IntALWinE network. By initiating the establishment of learners’ forums, the latter has significantly contributed to making the voices of learners in Slovenia heard and to have impact.

Contact:

Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik
Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (SIAE)
Smartinska 134a
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia

Tel: +386-1-5842 567
F ax: +386-1-5842 550 zvonka.pangerc@acs.si
http://siae.acs.si

Lifelong Learning Week
llw.acs.si (in English)
tvu.acs.si (in Slovenian)