Adult Learners Week, or He Tangata Matauranga in Maori language, was celebrated in
New Zealand from September 8 - 14, 2003. Once again the organisers - supported by thousands of people
both working or volunteering for adult learning - reached out for the public to show that lifelong
learning can change lives for the better, that by learning it is possible to gain new possibilities,
to get active, or just simply to have fun! The target group of the festival are all potential learners,
and especially those who might have achieved little or no formal education;
people with bad experience in education; with disabilities or learning problems;
those who have had problems with education because of ethnic background, language,
or age.
Adult Learners Week is meant to open learning possibilities everywhere, to
introduce a wide variety of different ways of learning, and to show everybody that learning can change.
The aims of ALW 2003 were to:
Celebrate all efforts, achievements and contributions of adult learners, educators and
providers;
Strengthen adult and community education and raise awareness of the rich variety of learning
opportunities;
Widen access to learning opportunities and encourage more people to seek advice and guidance about
returning to learn;
Foster networks and pathways among those who share an interest in adult learning.
As
in the previous years, the most inspiring learners. educators and providers were
awarded for their achievements. This year also a photo competition took
place with the theme lifelong learning. The best photographs were awarded
for their message rather than for professional excellence. To read
stories of the winners visit http://www.adultlearnersweek.org.nz/.
ALW was organised by Adult and Community Education (ACE) and supported by the Tertiary Education
Commission.
2002
Adult Leaners Week He Tangata Matauranga 2002
was celebrated in New Zealand on 2 - 8 September.
A number of Awards were presented to different target groups: to outstanding
learners, exceptional adult educators, and innovative providers. A story
competition among adult learners was launched, and the most beautiful contributions
published under the title "My Learning Experience"
(downloadable at
http://www.adultlearnersweek.org.nz/).
Background...
The concept of adult learners
week in New Zealand, also called He Tangata Matauranga in the Maori
language, was developed after the Fifth International Conference on Adult
Education in Hamburg and set up for the first time throughout the country
in 1998. The major aims of the festivals included the strengthening
of networks, and a heightened awareness of the social injustices that create
barriers for adults to participate in learning activities. The week is
conceived as a recognition of the unique nature of adult learners, educators
and providers, validating every step adult learners take along the way
on their learning biographies.
In 2001, Adult Learners Week/He
Tangata Matauranga took place on 2 - 8 September to highlight the central
role of adult learning in society. It was mainly organized by the University
of Waikato with a view to celebrating the efforts, achievements and contributions
of adult learners, to encouraging more adults to join learning opportunities,
and to fostering collaborative networks and pathways among those who share
an interest in adults' learning. The University offered a series of mini
lectures to provide an impression on the range of subjects that can be
studied at Waikato, including questions on e-commerce, anthropology &
human evolution, and ethical and philosophical issues.
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