Who can join AONTAS? Any organisation, group or individual involved or interested in adult and community education may apply for membership. If you would like to become a member of AONTAS, please contact our Membership Development Officer or view our website, www.aontas.com As an AONTAS member you will have the opportunity to: • Make your voice heard and influence policy at local and national level • Lobby for improved conditions in the sector • Nominate and elect representatives to the AONTAS Executive Committee • Profile and promote your activities and research through our website and other media • Join us in our mission to increase awareness and understanding about the value and benefits of adult and community education • Meet others involved in adult education: learners, tutors and providers • Become part of a community of people working, learning and interested in adult and community education • Become involved in sharing best practice • Avail of, and contribute to, up-to-date information on research and practice in adult and community education
What is the role of the AONTAS Executive? The AONTAS Executive Committee comprises ten organisational members, four Officers and two individual members. The Executive Committee constitutes the Board of Directors of the Association. Any fully paid-up organisational or individual member can be nominated for election to the Executive Committee.
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Members of the Executive Committee are elected at the Annual General Meeting. They: • Are responsible for the overall maintenance and well-being of the Organisation • Are responsible for Human Resources, Financial Policy and Accountability • Take a lead role in the development of the Strategic Plan • Support the staff team in their implementation of the Strategic Plan • Represent the views and issues of members • Contribute knowledge and experience on local issues • Initiate working groups to deal with issues, as appropriate • Meet six times a year
AONTAS Staff The role of the AONTAS staff team is to carry out the work agreed by membership through the Strategic Plan. The staff team works closely with the AONTAS Executive Committee and reviews the work on a regular basis. The Director of AONTAS is Ms. Berni Brady.
Aontas National Adult Learning Organisation 2nd Floor, 83 – 87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 t (01) 406 8220/1 f (01) 406 8227 e mail@aontas.com w www.aontas.com
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General Information
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rganis O g n i n lt Lear u d A l iona
Nat
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AONTAS National Adult Learning Organisation AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. It is a non-government membership organisation, established in 1969. AONTAS is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee. The name AONTAS is an acronym in the Irish language, Aos Oideachas Náisiúnta Trí Aontú Saorálach, meaning ‘national adult education through voluntary unification’. The word AONTAS itself is also the Irish word for ‘unity’ or ‘union’, so the intention of the original group of interested individuals was that the organisation would be identified by its inclusiveness.
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of AONTAS 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.
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What is adult learning all about? AONTAS understands adult learning to be all forms of learning undertaken by adults after having left initial education and training.1 Adult learning takes place in four key sites: • The home • The workplace • The community • Education and training institutions Much of this learning could be classed as formal e.g. the pursuit of a course which has recognised credentials and which is done either within, or in collaboration with, an educational institution. Other learning could be classed as non-formal, for example learning gained from experience or practice such as that learned on the job or being active in one’s community; or informal, for example the learning we gain from everyday life such as managing home and family.
Why is adult learning important? To learn is to be human and we are constantly learning throughout our lives. Adult learning plays a key role in the development of the person, the community, the economy and society as a whole. Not only does it equip us to participate fully and actively in the development of an inclusive society, it also gives us the tools to think critically and challenge injustice and inequality. It is an essential element in the building of a healthy democracy, a sustainable economy and civil society. 1 C ommunication from the European Commission “Adult learning: It is never too late to learn”, COM (2006) 614 final, 23.10.2006.
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Key Strategic Objectives 2007-2010 Policy AONTAS will play a lead role in influencing and participating in the development and implementation of policy for adult and community education. Promotion AONTAS will promote locally and nationally the importance, value and role of adult and community education as a key part of lifelong learning. Practice AONTAS will contribute to, and support the growth and development of high standards of excellence in adult and community education practice. Partnership AONTAS will build and strengthen links with agencies at local, national and international levels. Organisational Development AONTAS will continue to develop its capacity as a learning organisation and a model of best practice for the adult and community education sector.
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