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EPALE

Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe

 
 

Discussion

EPALE discussion: How can adult learning be used for social inclusion of vulnerable groups

23/09/2019
by EPALE Moderator

/mt/file/social-inclusion-vulnerable-groups-1Social inclusion of vulnerable groups

Social inclusion of vulnerable groups

 

As part of our August-September thematic focus, EPALE is organising a written discussion on how adult learning can best be used for social inclusion of vulnerable adults.

The discussion will take place on this page on 26 September between 10:00 and 16:00 CEST and will be moderated by EPALE Thematic Coordinator Gina Ebner from the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA). Don’t miss the opportunity to share your views and experiences on any of the topics below with the EPALE community!

Also, if you’ve ever worked on projects dealing with social inclusion through adult learning or developed any relevant methodologies – share your story with the other participants in the comments below!

The discussion on 26 September will include the following questions:

10:00-12:30 CEST

  • Does your organisation work with vulnerable groups? What are your target groups?
  • Do you offer tailor-made learning opportunities for vulnerable adults? Are they tailored to a particular target group or to the individual? How does this work concretely?
  • Are trainers/educators supported in working with vulnerable learners by the employer in your countries? Are there in-service training opportunities offered, for example for low-qualified employees?

Discussion left open during lunch interval

 

13:30-16:00 CEST

  • What do vulnerable learners need in order to progress in their professional and personal lives?
  • Are there any initiatives in your country to support / promote social inclusion through adult education?
  • Do you know of any innovative approaches to social inclusion?

     

    ** Comments will be open on 23 September so participants can introduce themselves or post their comments in advance.

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    Gina Ebner's picture

    Thank you also from my side, I really enjoyed the discussion and learned a lot of new approaches and examples. You have a very short summary above, and we'll provide a more detailed one soonish (7 October or so). For the time being, the discussion page will remain open, so if anyone's interested, you can still post somethign, and we'll integrate it in the summary.
    Thank you and bye for now!
    Gina

    Gina Ebner,
    26/09/2019 16:10
    Zoltán Lupták's picture

    Dear Gina, Dear Friends,

    Thank you for the information, the shared experience, the comments and suggestions. I was happy to participate the dialogue. Now I have to leave, see and hear you next time, regards, Zoltán

    Zoltán Lupták,
    26/09/2019 15:32
    Gina Ebner's picture

    Let's now move to the last part of our discussion: Can you formulate recommendation for the work with vulnerable groups? They might be targeted at policy-makers, at stakeholders (ec social partners), at adult education organisations and providers, at trainers.
    What do you think is absolutely necessary?

    Gina Ebner,
    26/09/2019 15:30
    Brian Caul's picture


    Gina, I need to leave now for another commitment. Please find below some suggested recommendations. Thank you for organising an interesting day, and summarising so succinctly. Best Regards, Brian


    1. Funding should be made available under a "good relations" budget or equivalent through central governments to local regional authorities to encourage and enable cultural awareness programmes.
    2. Accredited cultural awareness training should be made available by suitably registered community interest companies at level 4 EQF.
    3. Representatives of ethnic minority groups and disability organisations should be involved in advisory groups to inform policy-makers at government level about needs and priorities.
    4. Employers in all sectors should be actively encouraged by governments and non-government bodies to ensure that there is fair access to employment for newcomers and people with diabilities, and that support measures are provided for career development.
    5. All public bodies should be required to review annually their policies concerning diversity in staffiong and governing bodies.

    Brian Caul,
    26/09/2019 15:52
    Gina Ebner's picture

    This looks really great! We'll put it into the summary.
    Thank you also for your contributions - much appreciated! :-)

    Gina Ebner,
    26/09/2019 15:59
    Zoltán Lupták's picture

    I would add some way to the non-formal methodologies the practice of "teaching to learn...again". Not by all means, simply our experience proves that many individuals need" to learn how to learn". Thanks

    Zoltán Lupták,
    26/09/2019 15:23
    Brian Caul's picture

    Would you please include, under innovative approaches to social inclusion the Erasmus+ project, CAST4Innovation, which is currently being created by our transnational team,  and evaluated by trainers from ethnic minority backgrounds. It is envisaged that, as a result, there will be an expansion in cultural awareness workshops and activities throughout Europe, which will heighten the awareness of the importance celebration of diversity and social inclusion. Not least, we shall have many more trained and skilled trainers who themselves will have a diversity of backgrounds. 

    Brian Caul,
    26/09/2019 15:36
    Gina Ebner's picture

    We talked about a number of topics and were presented with very interesting examples.
    We touched on: tailor-made offers, social support, holistic offers, validation of prior learning, non-formal methodologies, empowerment, anti-discrimination, entrepreneurship, employability and the role of employers.
    Does anyone still have a comment on either target groups or topics?

    Gina Ebner,
    26/09/2019 15:20
    Zoltán Lupták's picture

    I agree, especially as ethnic minoriity, low-skilled or low-qualified adults are included in the list. 

    Zoltán Lupták,
    26/09/2019 15:16