Annual Review 2011-12

Foreword

Two words encapsulate what drives our work at NIACE - equality and empowerment. They are the backbone of what we do and why we do it and they are, at the very least, implicit in all of the projects and activities set out in this Annual Review.

Empowerment is important because ultimately that is why learning is so important – participating and achieving in learning empowers each of us to take control of our lives, to have the confidence and sef-esteem to play an active part in society, to be successful in work, to support our families and communities, to be active citizens.

Equality is important because we want all adults, of all ages and abilities, from all places and backgrounds and throughout their lives, to have learning opportunities which meet their needs and ambitions. We know from our own research that there is neither equality of opportunity nor equality of outcome in learning. Viewing adult participation and achievement by socio-economic class, disability and age, for instance, shows long-term and stark inequalities. The circumstances people are born into are the major determinant of their educational chances. The work we carry out strives to highlight and address these inequalities.

NIACE has been here for a long time and will remain here long into the future. Two years before NIACE was founded, the 1919 report of the Ministry of Reconstruction’s Adult Education Committee emphasised the social purpose of adult education, presenting its rationale as to create a ‘well-ordered welfare state or Great Society’ organised in support of the ‘common good’. The economic purpose of learning for adults was also a key part of the reconstruction effort after the First World War (for more on this, see the paper by Peter Clyne, ‘Learning from the Past’, which was part of the NIACE-sponsored Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning).

Of course every generation has to rediscover the benefits of adult learning and apply them to the current context. I retain some optimism that amongst the many challenges of economic austerity, people will increasingly expect and demand more investment in learning for all adults. They will do this because they know that the wider benefits of learning make an enormous difference to the world we live in. More than anything else, the social benefits of learning with others bring a connectivity and sense of belonging which too many people feel they have lost.

Our job at NIACE is to influence policy, support better practice and promote lifelong learning so that more adults can be lifelong learners. I hope that reading this report inspires you to support us and work with us to have the greatest impact possible.

David Hughes

NIACE Chief Executive