Adult Learners’ Week Policy Conference: "Enriching lives, Inspiring learners"

[Background] [Aims] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

This year’s NIACE Annual Policy Conference is called Enriching lives, inspiring learners and will look at themes of culture, community and inspiration in informal adult learning.
 
Adult Learners’ Week is supported by the European Social Fund and is now in its 20th year.  It is the UK’s largest festival of learning and the campaign enjoys unprecedented levels of support.  As well as co-ordinating awards for outstanding adult learners and thousands of local and regional activities during the Week, NIACE organises a number of high-profile national events.  This Annual Policy Conference is one highlight of this programme.
 
This conference will consider how informal learning shapes and is shaped by wider cultural forces and how it can strengthen and enrich communities not just economically but socially too. It will also look at how ideas, skills and values are transmitted through traditional and new media as well as face-to-face teaching and learning.  In addition to this it will explore how new learning communities and forms of association can develop to offer high-quality learning opportunities to adults.
 
The conference will be delivered using keynote speeches; presentations and discussions in the learning zones; and questions and answer sessions.  There will also be a ‘text wall’ that encourages delegates to send feedback and questions to speakers and panellists throughout the conference via their mobile phones.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Aims

This conference will:

• explore how the concepts of culture and community can inspire and motivate adults to become active learners
• consider how informal and non-formal learning help adults to enrich their own lives and the lives of those around them
• highlight ways in which providers of learning opportunities are innovating in respect of curriculum design and delivery by focussing on four themes:
• digital technologies
• inclusive communities
• an open knowledge economy
• health and wellbeing
• consider how better to recognise, quantify and value the wider public and private benefits of informal and non-formal learning.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Audience

It will be of interest to:

• educational and community leaders at local and national level
• anyone wanting to explore the role of learning communities in the Big Society
• anyone wanting to better understand the positive impact that informal learning can have on individuals and communities

Top of Page

_______________________________

Programme

Text wall open to all delegates to text their questions throughout the conference
 
09:30    Arrival and registration (tea/coffee available)
 
Visits to exhibition stands hosted by the British Library, NIACE & Adult Learners’ Week
 
10:00    Welcome to the Adult Learners’ Week policy conference
Baroness Blackstone, Chair of the British Library
 
10:15    Keynote address: Enriching and strengthening communities through learning
 
10:35    Keynote address: Learning and culture: exploring the relationship
 
11:00    Question and answer session chaired by the text wall facilitator
 
11:30    Visits to Learning Zones
 
This session offers delegates the opportunity to learn more about creative informal learning initiatives offered by a range of organisations. The session will start with a five minute presentation from each of the zone sponsors about their programmes. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss practice in greater detail during visits to the learning zones.
 
Open Knowledge Economy: featuring Reed in Partnership, Unionlearn and ESF works
Digital Technologies: featuring British Library and The Open University
Health and Wellbeing: hosted by Bupa; also featuring Voluntary Arts England and Age UK
Community Inclusion: featuring ECORYS and Hackney Community Learning Champions
 
Additional zones will be confirmed in due course.
 
13:00    Lunch
 
14:00    Panel discussion
 
Bupa: James Clegg, Bupa Head of Development and Talent
The Open University: Rajay Naik, Director of Government Relations
Reed: Sharon White, Programme Director for Skills
Microsoft: Stephen Uden, Head of Skills & Economic Affairs
Voluntary Arts England: Robin Simpson, Chief Executive Officer
 
14:30    Question and answer session
 
15:00    Concluding remarks - Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive, NIACE
 
15:30    Close of conference (tea/coffee available)
 
15:45    Optional curator tour of the “Census and society: why everyone counts” exhibition and "Sir John Ritblat's Treasures Permanent Collection" at the British Library until 16.30pm.

Top of Page

_______________________________

Event Information

• Arrival and registration is at 09:30am for a 10:00am start. The event will end at 3:45pm
• Event fee per person:
  £95 (Non NIACE member rate)
  £69 (NIACE member rate)
  The fee includes lunch, tea/coffee and an optional curator tour of the “Census and society: why everyone counts” exhibition and "Sir John Ritblat's Treasures Permanent Collection" at the British Library from 3.45pm until 4.30pm.
  NB: NIACE does not charge VAT on conference and course fees
• If you wish us to invoice your employer we require a copy of the Purchase Order
• Please note that the absence of a Purchase Order / Order Number will delay the processing of your application form
• Only application forms with the payments section completed will be processed
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed application forms (one form per person)
• Video cameras will be in use at this conference. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Learners can opt out of displaying their names on the list of participants. Please indicate this on the application form
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts. If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact:
  NIACE Events Team
  Tel: 0116 204 2833
  Fax: 0116 254 8368
  E-mail: events@niace.org.uk

Top of Page

_______________________________

Application Conditions

Event: Tuesday 17 May 2011
Closing Date: Thursday 5 May 2011

• Cancellations will only be accepted if received in writing before the closing date and will be subject to an administration fee of £50
• The full fee is payable prior to the event
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 10 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Completed and signed application forms must be faxed or posted to NIACE by the closing date.
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event.

The programme is correct at the time of going to press. The organisers reserve the right to make changes to the published programme in the event of one or more of the advertised speakers being unable to attend. Participants have no claim against NIACE in respect of such changes.

Top of Page

_______________________________