Equalities and empowerment

We believe that all adults should have the opportunity to benefit fom learning throughout their lives, particularly those who have missed out on previous opportunities and/or are under-represented in learning. Equalities and empowerment are the driving force behind all our work.

Through a wide range of activity, including policy and advocacy work, support of networks, research and development, and the production of resources to share best practice, we aim to make a positive  impact on:

• national policy on equality issues;
• effective practice in support of equality challenges;
• the attitudes of key policy makers and stakeholders on equality issues; and
• the opportunities for learners and NIACE members to influence poliy, research and developments around participation and achievement.

Our achievements in 2011-12

Through a wide range of activity, including policy and advocacy work, support of networks, research and development, and the production of resources to share best practice, we aim to make a positive  impact on:

• national policy on equality issues;
• effective practice in support of equality challenges;
• the attitudes of key policy makers and stakeholders on equality issues; and
• the opportunities for learners and NIACE members to influence policy, research and developments around participation and achievement.

Our key objectives for 2012-13

• Use our role as the UK National Coordinator for the EU’s Agenda for Adult Learning to support and assist the development of national policy and practice on equality and social justice issues.
• Share effective practice between practitioners, providers, funders, employers and other stakeholders through a range of events and publications including our ‘making sense’ seminars, conferences, our website, learner voice publications, and training activities including mental health, dyslexia, learning support and specialist initial teacher training.
• Ensure that the findings of the NIACE adult participation in learning survey are effectively disseminated to policy-makers and practitioners and built upon to improve the understanding of the range of difficulties facing individuals wishing to participate in learning.
• Disseminate the views and opinions of learners, potential learners and NIACE membership in a range of events, publications and advocacy activity including learner voice publications, Adult Learners’ Week and World Skills campaigns activities, consultation processes and independent inquiries.