2007 Press Releases
Learning Partnerships for Social Inclusion: Major New UCC Study
In education in Ireland today, more diverse groups than ever are
accessing new learning routes that hither-to remained obstructed.
There is renewed focus on the non-traditional learner and,
increasingly, the issue of access to education is located centrally
within a new vision for a more inclusive society. On Wednesday
next, 28 February 2007, a major new study conducted by Dr Stephen
O'Brien and Professor Máirtín Ó Fathaigh will be unveiled at UCC.
Titled "Learning Partnerships for Social Inclusion" - the book explores
ways in which the ideal of educational inclusion manifests itself in
authentic policy and community/organisational practice.
This publication is the result of four years' work and has come to
fruition as a result of Higher Education Authority (HEA) research
sponsorship into non-traditional adult learners' experiences. The
partnership in research approach establishes this study as a major
contribution to the national debate about access, social inclusion,
interaction and participation by excluded persons in further and higher
education.
The empirical sections of Learning Partnerships for Social Inclusion
yield rich and diverse patterns and insights from the experience of
non-traditional adult learners, as well as voluntary and statutory
providers, across community, further and higher education. These
insights are derived from the complementary use of quantitative and
qualitative methods. There is "straight talking, anger,
resilience, hope and commitment in the responses of learners and
providers, of a kind that will resonate with anyone who has lived
experience in these areas" said Professor Denis O'Sullivan.
Ultimately, this text celebrates and affirms the value and the
contribution of lifelong learning in personal, social and civic life.
This book makes a very positive and challenging contribution to the
important national goal of achieving social inclusion. This is
achieved by critiquing accepted notions of 'disadvantage' and 'social'
inclusion' and further via its focus on non-traditional forms of
learning and its promotion of partnership with not for, marginalised
and excluded persons. Uniquely, the coverage of the
Community Education (CE), Further Education (FE) and Higher Education
(HE) sectors offers a first comprehensive picture of educational
disadvantage and facilitates open, honest, critical voices to be heard
from both learner and provider perspectives. The text provides
very valuable insights into on various approaches to lifelong learning
partnership development and locates 'partnership' within local,
national and international perspectives. In particular, the text
examines the 'social capital' dimension of lifelong learning and
relates this concept, for perhaps for the first time in international
research, to the perceptions and views of lifelong learners. This is a
unique contribution where research and lived experiences of lifelong
learners are presented in a co-constructed model of analysis.
The text delineates some salient further challenges for lifelong learning partnerships. These include:
- Contemporary Lifelong learning developments and their engagement with civil society
- The need for greater public understanding of education
- A critical review of state governance structures and processes
- The need for informed globalisation responses
- An emerging critique of intellectual, ideological and research dimensions to adult education.
For all the limitations of this study, the authors hope that it may contribute to an emerging mind-map for the future direction and work of Irish adult education. Perhaps not many would argue with a broad, inclusive, sustainable, partnership-based lifelong learning vision. But perhaps not many would question seriously, 'what does this entail?'
"Learning Partnerships for Social Inclusion" will be launched on Wednesday, 28 February at 6.30pm in the Aula Maxima, UCC.
388MMcS
« Back to 2007 Press Releases