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THE COMMISSION OF ADULT LEARNERS’ MOVEMENT AND
MOBILISATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ADULT EDUCATION
Call for papers/abstracts and invitation Introduction The Kenya Adult Learners' Association and the Pan–African Association for Literacy and Adult Education are facilitating the commission on Adult Learner’s Movement and Mobilisation during the International Council for Adult Education, 7th World Assembly which takes place between 17th and 19th January 2007 in Nairobi. The World Assembly’s theme is Adults’ Right to Learn: Convergence, Solidarity and Action has been adapted into the objective of the commission under the sub-theme ‘Adult Learners’ Inclusion: Agents for Cultural Diversity’ reflecting on the need to include adult learners in the promotion of cultural integration through poverty reduction, human rights and gender education as a major aspects for mobilisation framework because for shaping development economically, socially, politically and culturally. Guiding Principles: The commission will adapt the following ideals as guiding principles in addressing the theme: i.Learners’ Needs
Learners
are best placed to know their needs thus can be better placed to seek
solution to their problems. The process of participation in literacy is an integral part in the promotion of adult education hence enhances process of learning.
iii.Learners’ Involvement In order to promote adult education, direct learners involvement as the major target group validates programmes, and increases efficiency and effectiveness in the initiation, methodology and promotion of education. Learners’ involvement encourages self-reliance, self-determination, self-dignity and self-confidence. It also creates possibilities for self-help, advocacy and movement for social change. The commission of Adult Learners’ Movement and Mobilisation will address these principles based on the following topics: i. Gender education in the promotion of literacy programmes. ii. Effects of literacy programmes specifically through mobilisation and involving of learners in adult education iii. Approaches in functional literacy to the needs of learners through recognised methods of pedagogy provision such as Regenerated Freirean Literacy and Community Empowering Technique (REFLECT) etc and the effect of adapting such programmes to meet the local needs of the people. iv. The linkage between adult education, human rights and peace through popular education v. Expansion of learners participation through mobilisation vi. Adapting information, communication and technology as tools for involving learners in the achievement of EFA and MDGs vii. Cultural/linguistics issues and values that promote the empowerment of learners
The objectives of the Commission are: a) To sensitise learners worldwide on the ICAE World Assembly (WA) and the World Social Forum (WSF) b) To mobilise the participation of learners throughout the world to participation in the ICAE World Assembly and the World Social Forum c) To prepare presentations and diverse contributions to highlight the on the ‘Another World is Possible’ d) To steer the commission on Adult Literacy and Mobilisation e) To participate actively in World Social Forum The Kenya Adult Learners' Association is the first adult learners’ movement to bring together learners based on her experience in mobilisation and motivation of learners. This has been achieved through sensitisation meetings with the local administrators, and the community in general in defining their needs through strategic planning and follow-up meetings and workshops. The same ideals will be shared during the World Assembly in shaping the needs of adult learners, which vary according to the environment, that they live in. Adult education goes beyond reading and writing but also involves other programmes, which enhance and develop their quality of life and self-esteem through taking part in functional literacy (earning and learning) among others. Most importantly, genders are greatly affected in disproportion rates. Women being the most affected gender, face a myriad of shortcomings leading to high drop out rates and poor results especially in the rural areas. Major factors, which militate against women participation, include: · Lack of time: Women are overburdened with domestic tasks, child rearing, food preparation, etc. Women generally work longer hours than men do. · Attitudes of men: Some husbands and guardians forbid women to attend literacy classes and to participate in development programme. · Attitudinal barriers at the level of policy makers and planners: lack of awareness of the economic and social benefits of educating women. · Lack of special provisions to help women participate in literacy, such as childcare, facilities and opportunities for receiving of intensive instruction. · Long distances to literacy classes especially in rural areas render women’s active participation to literacy centres impossible. · Lack of Skills: Women normally lack training market/management skills, technical expertise, etc in income generating projects. Achieving literacy is the first step in enabling women to take control of their lives, participate in development activities, and free themselves from economic and patriarchal exploitation. Literacy is not a panacea for all ills since it is adversely affected by hindrances of poverty and religious and cultural traditions. Literacy empowers women for ‘unlocking’ closed doors and facilitates their empowerment by creating access to paid employment. It is vital to development and the basic building block for involvement. Although adult literacy varies in different countries, it is imperative that there is some uniformity in the promotion of the pedagogy to achieve the Education for All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This commission lays emphasis on reflection of the improvement of the social welfare of adult and youths with regards to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) especially Goals 1, 2 and 3 which outlines the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty, promote the achievement of universal education and promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women respectively, and strengthening of the empowerment of the youths and adult are met in the Education for All (EFA) framework specifically Goals 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. In most of the developing world, adult education is still in the infancy, revolving around the basic stage where learners are still at the basic literacy level, the developed world has adapted the use of ICT in the promotion of adult education. This imbalance is strategically directed in the lowering of the educational standards for the benefit of the majority in the developing world. The commission will use World Assembly as an advocating tool to urge governments and development partners to promote the adult education with the same energy as the basic education including the legislation and financial consideration for the programmes. This is because in some countries there is no clear policy defining adult education or recognizing it as a right. Literacy programmes receive only 1% of the national budget in many countries thus progressing in the high illiteracy rate due to poor investment. Your involvement in the Commission The Commission would like to invite participants to take part through presentations of papers/documents, experiences and best practices for the promotion of adult literacy. If you are interested in participating in activities leading up to, during and after the World Assembly, contact the undersigned before 15th November 2006.
Magdalene Gathoni Motsi
new 24/11/06 COMMISSION OF ADULT LEARNERS’ MOVEMENT AND MOBILISATION Abstract Guidelines A. INTRODUCTION The Commission on Adult Learners’ Movement and Mobilization of the International Council for Adult Education World Assembly calls for abstracts for thesis/papers to be presented in January 2007. The objectives of the Commission are: a) To sensitise learners worldwide on the ICAE World Assembly (WA) and the World Social Forum (WSF) b) To mobilise the participation of learners throughout the world to participation in the ICAE World Assembly and the World Social Forum c) To prepare presentations and diverse contributions to highlight the on the theme of ‘Another World is Possible’ d) To steer the commission on Adult Literacy and Mobilisation e) To participate actively in World Social Forum
The topics prepared by the commission for presentation will evolve around the following: i. Gender education in the promotion of literacy programmes. ii. Effects of literacy programmes specifically through mobilisation and involving of learners in adult education iii. Approaches in functional literacy to the needs of learners through recognised methods of pedagogy provision such as Regenerated Freirean Literacy and Community Empowering Technique (REFLECT) etc and the effect of adapting such programmes to meet the local needs of the people. iv. The linkage between adult education, human rights and peace through popular education v. Expansion of learners participation through mobilisation vi. Adapting information, communication and technology as tools for involving learners in the achievement of EFA and MDGs
vii.
Cultural/linguistics issues and values that promote the empowerment
of learners
a. The abstracts should reflect on one of the topics of the commission b. They should clearly describe the intended presentation ( e.g. paper, case study, course ware etc) c. They should be factual without tables, charts, graphs or illustrations d. They should not be less than 300 words or exceed 500 words e. Abstracts should be typed using Times New Roman font 12, 1.5 lines with one inch top/bottom and single blank line between paragraphs f. If sent by email, the abstract should be sent as an MS word attachment g. Do not use footnotes, headers or footers in the abstracts h. Due to time constraints, the deadline for submitting the abstracts should be 25th November 2006 i. The authors should submit their CVs together with their abstracts
The Abstract´s should contain the following details: Title of the Abstract: Nature of the Abstract (a research document, study paper, etc): Name of the Author: (surname first, followed by other names): Title: Prof. Dr. Mr. Ms. Others Gender: Organisation/agency/institution affiliation: Nationality: Position: Contact Address: Country: Telephone number (include country and area codes) Facsimile number (include country and area codes) E-mail(s): Website(s) (if applicable): The selected presenters will be informed via e-mail. The abstract should be reach the address below by 30th November 2006
Kenya
Adult Learners' Association
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