Remaking Adult Learning event Monday, March 14, 2011 - 10:40

The event focussed on the many key themes facing adult learning and society, which authors addressed in the 26 chapters of Remaking Adult Learning, a joint NIACE & Institute of Education (IOE) publication launched this January. The publication is also a tribute to Alan Tuckett's - Chief Executive of NIACE - commitment to the lifelong learning field since the 1970s. Professor Tuckett is to retire in August 2011, after 23 years of leading NIACE.

The event was chaired by Dr. Ursula Howard, one of the editor's of Remaking Adult Learning, and Visiting Professorial Fellow, IOE. Participants which included learning and training providers, policy makers and lifelong learning enthusiasts, had the chance to listen to and participate in the following debates:

• Participation and equality: Does adult learning make any difference? - Argument made by Dr. John Bynner, Emeritus Professor of Social Sciences in Education, IOE with a response by Dr Fiona Aldridge, Programme Director, NIACE.

• Adult learning and social movements: Why and how adult learning and social movements connect? - Argument made by Professor Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive, NIACE with a response by Peter Templeton, Director of Education and Strategy, Workers' Educational Association.

• Adult learning and public policy: What place has adult learning in future public policy? - Argument made by Professor Bob Fryer, Chair, Campaign for Learning with a response by Professor Ken Spours, Head of the Department of Continuing and Professional Education, IOE.

• Adults learning, adults teaching: exploring craft as a metaphor for teaching - Argument made by Jay Derrick, Tutor/ Consultant Researcher, IOE with a response by Toni Fazaeli, Chief Executive, Institute of Learning.

• Where do we go from here? Taking the debate forward - Professor Tom Schuller, Director, Longview.

Peter Lavender, NIACE Deputy Chief Executive, said:

"A brave new approach to adult learning is needed. Now is the time for making the most of adult learning and for learning from the past. Remaking Adult Learning raises questions about participation, social movements, public policy and the power of teaching and learning to change lives. Our event will explore some of these questions. Now is the time for imagination too."