Post on 20-Jan-2016
description
Innovations in Community-based learning?
Marjorie MayoCentre for Lifelong Learning and
Community Engagement, Goldsmiths, University of London
Some questions for discussion
• Rediscovering the relevance of community-based learning in the current policy context?
• Building upon previous knowledge, skills and experience?
• Or not? Re-inventing the (broken) wheel?• Community-based learning – more needed than
ever: building on innovations to address social cohesion & social solidarity?
• Innovations to develop in the current context?
Rediscovering the relevance of community-based learning?
• Tackling social exclusion & public
services’ restructuring since 1997: user involvement & community participation in regeneration & development: the need for capacity-building
• Addressing the democratic deficit: (Active Learning for Active Citizenship 2004-6)
• Tackling community safety & social cohesion since 9/11 and 7/7
Building upon previous knowledge, skills and experience?
• Rediscovering the need for community development & community-based learning
• ALAC as an example of building upon previous knowledge, skills & experience
• In 7 ‘hubs’ specifically selected on the basis of existing good practice
• Based upon Freirian principles for participation & empowerment, for equalities & social justice agendas
ALAC: a CD approach
• Rooted in good practice in voluntary/community sectors• Starting from participants’ own issues & learning priorities• Moving from the ‘I’ to the ‘we’ of collective action• Negotiated & delivered in dialogue with providers,
accessibly with outreach & support• In variety of modes & forms, with accreditation
progression routes available
The Learning Framework developed by ALAC/ Take Part:
• ‘A flexible approach to personal & community development’
• ‘Through experiential learning in group settings’
• ‘Shaped by values of participation, co-operation, social justice & equality with diversity’
‘These values require the work to be’
• ‘Community-based, learner-centred & developed through active and reflective learning’
• Enabling people ‘to gain understanding of how power works and how they can learn to influence decisions and policies’
( Innovatory?)
Or not? Re-inventing the (broken) wheel?
• What next? Parachuting in project after project? What about sustainability?
• But will Government pay for community-based learning in the context of Leitch?
• What about local/ regional government funding?
• What about LSC funding?
• What about HE funding?
More needed than ever?
Examples of ALAC innovations that are more than ever needed include:
• Community-based learning to address issues of conflict resolution within and between communities
• Community-based learning to promote understanding of newcomers including refugees and asylum seekers
• And to challenge racism & xenophobia• Promoting social solidarity
From the ‘I’ to the ‘we’ locally & more widely
Innovations to develop in the current context?
• Promoting social cohesion in UK through engaging in global social advocacy/ social movements: the example of the Global Campaign for Education: sharing understanding of what needs to be done
• Employment, health, the environment…which issues might need wider critical understanding in the context of globalisation?
• Active learning for active global citizenship