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AONTAS Update...
20th April 2010 Issue Number 30 Welcome Welcome to the AONTAS Update! The AONTAS Update is a weekly resource designed to keep members informed about current lifelong learning issues as well as what’s happening in AONTAS. Are you a committed AONTAS member and do you want to shape the organisation into the future? Any paidup member of AONTAS can be nominated for election to the Executive Committee, and hence to the Officer Board. Elections take place at the Annual General Meetings of AONTAS. To nominate an AONTAS member for the board, please complete the nomination form (downloadable from website) and return it to the AONTAS office by Wednesday 21st April at 5pm. If you have any questions in this regard please contact Niamh O’Reilly noreilly@aontas.com or phone 01 4068220. The Update will be e-mailed to members every Tuesday afternoon. If you have difficulty viewing the Update in your e-mail window, download as a PDF by clicking here. Members are very welcome to contribute and if you have anything for inclusion, please e-mail it to Eleonora Peruffo (eperuffo@aontas.com) by 5pm on Monday afternoon.
POLICY Adult Education News
PROMOTION
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
Events Publications & Websites
AONTAS News Membership News AONTAS Membership
Education & Training Opportunities Information referral service
POLICY ADULT EDUCATION NEWS
Meet the mature students blazing a trail through the recession. . . 14th April, Irish Independent There has been an unprecedented surge in the number of mature students seeking college places, because of the economic downturn. Faced with other choices, such as the dole queue or emigration, thousands of unemployed people are choosing to go to college, where they can continue to draw benefits. There were 71,843 online applications this year for higher education places, with an increase this year of 26pc in the number of mature student applicants (defined as those aged 23 and over). 'Family support is crucial in being a student' 14th April, Irish Independent Story of a mature student. “Talkback” The Minister must transform education and training, says BRIAN MOONEY 13th April 2010 Irish Times Bryan Mooney’s opinion on the education system. Now that The Minister has arrived in Marlborough Street, she can set about reshaping how education and training is delivered to people who are unemployed. She can also respond to those who lack the skills required to secure employment in the competitive international labour market.
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To keep up to date with AONTAS Policy News, please visit www.aontas.com/policy Back to Contents
PROMOTION Events Intergenerational Learning Project The conference will showcase past and current work from the perspective of older learners, DCU student volunteers and the academic community, and will include workshops on three themes central to the project: well being for older and younger learners, integrating senior learners in thirdlevel education, and uses and benefits of ICT and social media for older learners. These workshops will be led by experts in the field, and participants will be drawn from current and prospective learners, DCU students, academics and interested stakeholders.Click here to view their Google, Blog and Twitter sites. There are a limited number of places available. The Closing date is Friday 30th April. Click here for registration.
PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES Action plan on adult learning: from policy to practice This paper is a final report on the regional meetings on the Action Plan on adult learning It is always a good time to learn organised by the European Commission in October and November
****** Irish Aid audience research Irish Aid is currently conducting audience research on its website, www.irishaid.gov.ie. Irish Aid are hoping to get feedback on how they can improve the design and navigation of the website and the services they offer to their website users. They have organised an online survey which has been posted on the Irish Aid homepage (direct link http://irishaid.questionpro.com) and would appreciate any feedback you can give them. The results of the survey will inform the structure of our website and hopefully give them a better idea of user needs. ******
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2009. The aim of the meetings was to enable adult education and training stakeholders in each region to engage in discussions, knowledgetransfer and other exchanges about topics and developments of importance to participating countries in the context of the Action Plan. ******
MEMBERSHIP AONTAS NEWS Community Education Network-Change of Date Date: Wednesday 5th May 2010 (instead of April 21st) Time: 9.45am – 2.00pm Venue: The Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick St, Dublin 7 Due to the high level of interest for a Dublin meeting it will be held here again. In response to the other locations suggested meetings/seminars will be planned at a regional level over the course of the year. A full agenda will be available closer to the event. This event will be the main consultative space for the Position Paper on the Funding Mechanisms for Community Education. We would encourage you to attend this event. Please confirm your attendance by Friday 30th April confirming if you are staying for lunch and if you have dietary requirements. Email: dlarkin@aontas.com or phone 01 4068220. Website: http://www.aontas.com/commed/networkcen.html Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the change of date. ****** AONTAS AGM The AONTAS AGM will take place on 19th May 2010 in The Clarion Hotel, IFSC, Dublin 1. This meeting will serve as the initial consultation process for the next strategic plan therefore we would encourage our members to attend. Furthermore, we will be holding elections for the AONTAS Executive Committee. All members will have received nomination forms and we welcome committed members to stand for election. All nominations must be received by Wednesday, 21 April 2010 at 5pm. If you require any further information please contact Niamh O’Reilly noreilly@aontas.com
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AONTAS MEMBERSHIP Over 550 learners, tutors, adult education coordinators, managers, policy makers and many other interested organisations and individuals avail of the many benefits of AONTAS Any organisation, group or individual that is involved, or interested, in adult and community education may apply for membership. If you feel that you would benefit both in your practice and personally from AONTAS join our vibrant organisation today!
MEMBERSHIP NEWS Longford Women’s Link Fundraiser – Saturday April 24th Longford Women’s Link, in conjunction with Abbott Diagnostics Longford and the Longford Leader are holding a major fund-raising event, a Gala Mothers & Daughters Lunch on April 24th next, see attached promotional material. LWL would very much appreciate your support for this event which is to raise funds to aid their work with local Longford women. Primarily they ask that you consider purchasing a number of tickets but there are many ways that you can support this fundraiser: Purchasing Tickets – (sets of two @ €100 or Tables of 10 @ €500 – tickets can be purchased separately @ €50) Sponsoring a ‘generous’ prize for the raffle to be held on the day Making a donation Publicising the event and circulating the information amongst your peers and networks and encouraging a large attendance All sponsorship/donations for the event will be publicly acknowledged. If you require any additional information or just want to chat about the event, please give Louise Lovett (043 3328653) a call. Email: LouiseLovett@longfordwomenslink.org
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INFORMATION EDUCATION & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
Information Booklet
If you are interested in CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) Weekend in the Woods, Bealkelly Oak Woods, Tuamgraney, Co Clare returning to education why 8th/9th May 2010 . not contact our Information 19 Traditional Skills & Heritage Crafts including youngsters courses (8yrs +). Referral Service on 01 Courses include: Needle Felting / Longbow Making / Pole-lathe Construction 4068220. Alternatively, / Herblore / Sugan Chair / Greenwood Furniture / Leatherwork / Fishing for Beginners / Dry Stone Walling / Woodcarving / Silversmithing / Felting / download a copy of the Natural Building / Basketry / Blacksmithing / Spinning & Weaving / Information Booklet by Coppersmithing / Stonecarving / Woodcrafts & Felting & Rustic Art for 8clicking here 14yrs. ****** Rustic Restaurant, Cafe-in-the-Woods, free camping and car park, sheltered workshop spaces, evening music and song around the campfire. INFORMATION Cost: €120 (€100 euro for youngsters) + €15 annual membership REFERRAL SERVICE See www.celtnet.org for detailed info & online booking Due to the sudden passing Email:info@celtnet.org Tel : 061 640765 away of Jennifer Gunning, ***** AONTAS Information and
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Research Officer, the service is suspended until further notice. ******
AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. It is a non-governmental organisation that exists to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society. For further information visit www.aontas.com or www.adultlearnersfestival.com. Apologies for any cross posting. If you no longer wish to receive information from AONTAS, please e-mail mail@aontas.com. AONTAS – The National Adult Learning Organisation 83 – 87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6W Ph 01 4068220«Fax 014068227«E-mail mail@aontas.com Company Registration: 80958 Charity Registration: 6719