Local Democracy Week Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 09:00

A key priority is to ensure that learners in local communities, along with other residents and stakeholders, are heard in local decision-making processes. Adult learning supports this aim in developing vibrant and informed local democracies.

To mark Local Democracy Week and as part of the new Leicester Speaks initiative - bringing an interesting series of events for local people to have their say and express their views about many current issues - NIACE held a free seminar on Adult Learning and Local Democracy, on Thursday 14 October.

Those attending the seminar explored the current context of democracy and social capital and heard about active citizenship and perspectives from the Workers Education Association, Leicester City Council and Kirklees Council. The seminar also launched October's special themed issue of Adults Learning, exploring the new context for adult learning and localism.

Penny Lamb, Programme Director at NIACE, said:

"We are in a rapidly changing policy environment with many uncertainties as we approach the Comprehensive Spending Review, but one thing is clear - the new approach to localism is here to stay. We are delighted to host a discussion on the new context of the role of adult learning for local democracy and support the Leicester Speaks initiative."

Later this month, NIACE is publishing a related book on citizenship, available to pre-order online now:

• Promises of Freedom: Citizenship, Belonging and Lifelong Learning