Chapter 7
Australia and the fifth international conference on adult
education
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO) is holding its fifth International Conference on Adult Education
in Hamburg, Germany, 1418 July, 1997. Entitled Adult learning: a
key for the twenty-first century the conference will be the culmination
of a series of regional conferences held during 1996.
The general objective of the conference is to highlight the importance
of adult learning and to forge a worldwide commitment to adult and continuing
education in the perspective of lifelong learning aimed at:
- facilitating the participation of all in sustainable and equitable
development
- promoting a culture of peace based on freedom justice and mutual
respect
- empowering women and men
- building a synergy between formal and non-formal education. [1]
The objectives of the conference are consistent with the key concerns
which the Senate Committee has raised in this report. The achievement
of a `commitment to adult education and training in a perspective of
lifelong learning' and a learning society, and the development of a
`synergy between formal and non-formal education' are entirely commensurate
with the main recommendations of the Committee's report.
Throughout the history of its international conferences, UNESCO has
consistently acknowledged the vital importance of adult education:
Adult learning is a tool for personal as well as social, economic
and cultural development. It is equally a right which has obtained universal
legitimacy. But to participate and to learn are also a manifestation
of quality of life, an experience of conviviality as well as shared
responsibility. [2]
Previous conferences have been held in Denmark (1949), Montreal (1960),
Tokyo (1972) and Paris (1985). The core themes that have run throughout
these conferences are
- achieving universal literacy
- establishing peace and international cooperation
- creating a spirit of democracy
- increasing learning opportunities for all age groups
- promoting gender equality
- contributing to sustainable development. [3]
As well as the above themes, each individual conference has also reflected
the significant challenges of economic and social progress over the
preceeding decade. For example, in the 1960s, internationalisation and
the increasing emphasis upon the development of science and technology
dominated the agenda. In the 1970s, the quality and accessibility of
adult education and the concept of lifelong learning was embraced. However,
it was during the 1985 conference in Paris that many key ideas were
adopted which have remained significant for the conference in 1997.
The key issues underlined at the 1985 conference were
- the intensification of the struggle against illiteracy under a renewed
alliance between governmental and non-governmental institutions
- the high priority that should be accorded to women's education
- the linking of formal and non-formal education in the perspective
of lifelong learning
- the decisive impact of the modern media on learning
- the need for creativity and innovation in adult learning
- the concern for functional illiteracy in the industrialised countries.
[4]
UNESCO believes the 1997 conference should be expanded to accommodate
`various partners in its preparation and organisation, and in the implementation
of the conclusions'. By `various partners', UNESCO means the involvement
of many United Nations specialised agencies, multi-lateral and regional
intergovernmental organisations and the involvement of non-governmental
organisations. Emphasis will be placed on international commitment to
adult and continuing education through a strong push towards lifelong
education.
The involvement of Australia in the Fifth UNESCO Conference is important
to the further development of adult and community education within this
country, and will provide an opportunity for Australia to receive the
kind of international recognition worthy of its efforts in adult education
and training. The conference will provide an opportunity for Australian
representatives from both government and non-government agencies to
contribute to, and learn from, the experience of dozens of countries.
The Australian Association of Adult and Community Education (AAACE)
pointed out in its submission to the Committee that the
deepening economic interdependence through market globalisation,
and globalisation of the convergent technologies of computers and telecommunications
are causing all industrialised nations to rethink their strategies for
building a skilled and adaptable workforce. ...The Association is keen
that Australia should maximise the opportunity both to contribute to
and to learn from these major international gatherings. [5]
The South Australian Minister for Employment, Training and Education,
the Hon Bob Such stated that participation by Australian delegates would
provide an opportunity for
- information exchange on an international level
- widening networks to increase the ability for Australia to
attract additional international participation in Australian education
- exploring issues facing education on a global scale
- providing an opportunity to market educational products. [6]
The Committee is of the view that Australia has much to offer the international
adult education community. It is vital that Australia establish its
credibility among other nations as a provider of quality adult education,
as a country experienced in policy development to support adult education,
and as home to training institutions capable of providing high level
professional development for adult educators. Not only will this promote
Australia as a potential exporter of adult education and training services,
but it will help to strengthen broader cultural and commercial links.
| The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Commonwealth government
send a ministerial level delegation to the Fifth International Conference
on Adult Education in Hamburg comprising relevant officers of Commonwealth
agencies, State education authorities and representatives of Australia's
ACE sector. |
Footnotes
[1] Information from UNESCO conference brochure
entitled Adult learning: a key for the twenty-first century,
Hamburg, 1418 July 1997, p 2
[2] Adult learning: a key for the twenty-first
century , p 2
[3] Adult learning: a key for the twenty-first
century, p 3
[4] Adult learning: a key for the twenty-first
century, p 1
[5] Submission no 34, vol 3, pp 92, 104 (AAACE)
[6] Submission no 86, vol 6, p 84 (Minister
for Employment, Training and Education, SA)