WEA's Conference 2011: 'Equality Inclusion and Action in Adult Education' was a chance for adult education practitioners, students, funders, local government and community organisations to join together to consider the role of adult education and how it can play a positive role in the creation of a 'big' or good society.
Held at the East Midlands Conference Centre at the University of Nottingham, hosted by WEA East Midlands Region and supported by the Co-operative College, the day saw almost 300 people from across the sector hear from leading academics and join sixteen workshops to learn about, and discuss, current practice and future developments. You can take a look at the workshop speeches and presentations below.
The day opened with a keynote address from Richard Wilkinson, co-author of ‘The Spirit Level’ and Professor Emeritus of Social Epidemiology at Nottingham University. Professor Wilkinson's address highlighted his research in the area of inequalities, and the impacts of these on societies across the world. Audience members, including those attending previous WEA biennial conferences, described Professor Wilkinsons session as one of the best they had attended at an adult education conference.
The workshops for the day invited delegates to consider subjects related to the core themes of conference including: the role of volunteers in closing the 'digital divide'; how social media can be used in community campaigning; gender equality campaigning, the idea of democracy using a model of local 'Speakers' Corners across the country, and developing adult education projects that tackle racial, and other, inequalities in society.
Another conference highlight, was an afternoon session 'Reciprocity Lost' from Professor Henry Tam who explained his theories in relation to reciprocity (treating others as one would have them treat oneself). His session, too short many suggested, raced through aspects of evolution, the role of moral values in contemporary society, reasons why individuals fail to act with reciprocity from childhood through to adulthood and how this leads to unequal societies. Delegates left with an optimistic message from Professor Tam who suggested that positive change is achievable through personal action and communties organising together. He also outlined ways in which adult education has a specific role to play in developing people's 'reciprocal' understanding, and behaviours, to reinforce greater mutual cooperation in society. Professor Tam's workshop was based on his book Against Power Inequalities which is available as a free download.
The afternoon concluded with a keynote speech from David Hughes, Chief Executive of NIACE and a video address from John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, pictured above.
John Hayes stated that the role of the WEA remains as important today as in its year of formation in 1903. He went on to say that the WEA leads the way in ensuring socially disadvantaged groups have access to adult education and in working with volunteers to provide adult education in urban and rural communities across the country.
Conference workshop presentations and speeches
WEA East Midlands website also contains links and blogs from the conference. Further questions to mchica@wea.org.uk.
Photos of the conference can be seen on our facebook page.