During the process of implementing the European Agenda for Adult Learning in Slovenia (EAAL Project), we planned six forums in the period 2020–2021. We aligned them with the socio-economic challenges first presented at a prominent event of the European Commission – Forum on the Future of Learning (2019, Brussels).

At the EAAL forums, we intended to examine the role of adult education and lifelong learning in each of the listed trends and processes. Due to COVID-19, we were forced to postpone all events to 2021, which meant a considerable organisational issue. On the other hand, some advantages have emerged. We were establishing partnerships to a greater extent, shared burdens and thus broadened content and perspectives. We have hosted many high-profile speakers and learned about many examples of good practice. We invited an expert, usually a social scientist, to each forum, to reflect on the concrete challenge and, within it, on learning and education, from a humanistic perspective in the concluding part.

We set up a website for each event and published videos of the entire event and individual performances. The forums also feature graphic harvests, transcripts from the chat room testifying to the lively engagement of the participants, and other sources. From the second forum onwards, we included Slovenian sign language interpreting, and in the case of forums with an international cast (all except the first and the fifth) also translation into Slovenian and English, respectively. COVID-19 has enabled greater participation due to the event being held online, while at the same time permanent availability of recordings and other materials.

The relatively tighttly scheduled of EAAL forums have made it very clear that these are not six separate socio-economic challenges, but that they are intertwined. Consequently, comprehensive approaches are necessary when dealing with them. Lifelong learning is essential in this process!

This article presents the first three forums, and you can read about the other three here.

Learning for an inclusive multicultural society should be based on tolerance and mutual respect!

The first EAAL forum was organised together with the SLOGA platform (NGO Platform for Development, Global Learning and Humanitarian Aid) and Slovenian Philanthropy on 20 January 2021 to address the issue of migrations. The first part of the programme introduced two projects – #MigratED (Migrations and human rights enhanced through technology in education) and MINT (Mentoring for integration of third country national children affected by migration), which are concerned with the inclusion of immigrant or refugee children into the Slovenian education system. “Learning is also a matter of the heart and soul,” warned Anica Mikuš Kos, MD, president of the Slovenian Philanthropy and a recipient of the 2006 SIAE Award for the Promotion of Learning and Knowledge.

In the second part, we initially revived the supportive messages from the video, which had already been prepared in 2017 on the topic of immigrants in the EAAL project. Then the lecture was held by Anita Jug Došler, PhD from the SIAE, entitled From the education of immigrants to their social inclusion in society and the environment, followed by numerous presentations of activities and projects of three Adult Education Centres (AEC). The Cene Štupar Public Institution illustrated its inclusive role through the story of the successful integration of Hevidar, former applicant for international protection. It is thanks to his positive attitude towards learning that he is now employed, independent and close to acquiring Slovenian citizenship. Representatives of Velenje AEC and immigrant Rifet answered the question: “Can we be proud that migrants have built a multicultural place in Slovenia with the help of lifelong learning, and where is there room for improvement?” The mission of AEC in strengthening supporting environment for immigrants was highlighted also by a representative of Maribor Adult Education Centre with the stories of two immigrants.

Simona Zavratnik, PhD from the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, commented on individual topics and formed the concluding messages at the forum. We agreed that the mutual learning, respect, growth – all this gave rise to a new culture of coexistence that is inclusive, multicultural and multi-generational. The stories presented also demonstrated the relevance of the principle of “nothing for immigrants without them, but together with them” – for their own and the wider good.  

The digital transformation of society can no longer be avoided – it includes all generations and affects all fields of our lives. 

At the second EAAL forum – on the digital transformation of society, its ethical aspects and the link with lifelong learning – on 17 June 2021, we spoke to prominent experts and practitioners. The forum was organised in collaboration with CMEPIUS, since it was followed by the first national EPALE “live” online discussion.

We learn also to be digitally proficient. This has been particularly evident during the restriction to (mainly) virtual communication imposed on us by COVID-19. After the initial shock, we all raised our digital literacy level, but this is only the beginning. Modern technology can support our learning (and other aspects of our lives) to unprecedented potential. Artificial intelligence has a special role to play here. Such learning is/will be much more tailored to the individual's abilities and preferences. This individual strengthens not only their digital, but many other skills: communication, language, intercultural, civic, teamwork, etc. We therefore rightly ask ourselves, what is the future and what are the opportunities for synergy between man and technology?

The answers to these questions were provided by Altheo Valentini, EPALE thematic coordinator from the Central Support Service, Mitja Jermol, MSc, holder of UNESCO Chair on Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Learning at the Jožef Stefan Institute, and Matej Veber, MSc, a teacher of professional subjects in the field of robotics and mechatronics at the Celje School Centre. Views and experiences were also shared by Gašper Hrastelj, Secretary General of the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and IRCAI representative, Brigita Kropušek Ranzinger, Director of Velenje AEC, and Luka Omladič, PhD from the Institute for Applied Ethics, Ljubljana; former member of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST).

Interesting exchange of theoretical views and purely practical experiences – both suggesting great potentials – indicated that this issue is also lifelong and multi-generational and that it carries with it the issue of the equal inclusion of all. Unfortunately, the disadvantages of vulnerable target groups, especially those with low levels of education or inadequate skills, has only increased recently, so accessibility deserves special attention.

Luka Omladič, PhD, responded to concerns about whether technology will guide (and constrain) us or we it by saying that he sees the right way forward as empowerment through education and the democratic influence of society, where legislation plays an important role.  

Green transformation requires a broad outreach, new knowledge and skills, as well as different way of thinking and acting.

The third EAAL forum, held on 12 October 2021 and again in cooperation with SLOGA platform, has addressed the issue of sustainability. The event was also the 25th Adult Education Colloquium, a national professional event of the LLW 2021, named The Green Transformation of Society. Again, we wanted to emphasise that (adult) education must be an equal, indispensable stakeholder in this all-encompassing process.

These topics were discussed by Rilli Lappalainen, the founder and leader of the Bridge 47 network (among others), committed to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals, and Chris Millora, also a member of the network. He prepared a research report for the network, titled Unlocking the transformative potential of education: the alliance between Lifelong Learning and SDG Target 4.7, advocating the importance of environmental literacy, which can only be achieved with an open mind, with respect for primordial and local wisdom, dialogue and intergenerational integration as well as corresponding intertwining of social and natural sciences.

The round table on an active response to environmental challenges, which will be coordinated and supported by learning, consisted of representatives of four ministries: Janez Berdavs (Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning), MSc Nataša Bucik (Ministry of Culture), Aleš Ojsteršek (Ministry of Education, Science and Sport), and Tadeja Kvas Majer (Ministry of Agriculture, Economy and Food). The first three were skillfuly moderated in the video by Nevenka Bogataj, PhD from SIAE, and the last speaker joined via Internet. The purpose of this conference was to shed a light on the cross-sectoral response to environmental (especially climate) challenges. The discussion focused on current activities in the sectors mentioned, proposals for (even) faster response and the role of learning in development according to the principles of sustainability.

Examples and invitations from the practice of (adult) education were an excellent complement. “We, the practitioners are here, ready with all our enthusiasm to take action!” said Patricija Rejec from the Soča Valley Development Centre. Testimonials from Ajdovščina AEC and Postojna AEC only supported her views. These examples were later presented at the Annual Adult Education Conference – LPoIO 2021. The case of the City Municipality of Ljubljana was not lagging behind, and the pan-European Climate of Change project, presented by Mateja Skrt from SLOGA, was also unusual and interesting.

Boštjan Videmšek, journalist, author of the book Plan B and ambassador of the European Climate Pact, proved with his engaged performance that he not only talks and writes about environmental challenges, but lives them. “And what can you do as a person? Educate yourself, follow, act!” says Videmšek, who does not like to answer this frequently asked question as he finds the answer obvious. Unfortunately, it is not! 

Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik, MSc works at the Slovenian Institute for Adult Education (SIAE) in the field of promotional and information activities. She is the national coordinator for the implementation of the European Agenda on Adult Learning. She is interested in effective promotional approaches and promotion of cooperation and connecting of stakeholders in adult education.