What an interesting time to be CEO of Adult Learning Australia! Although I have been in the job less than six weeks, I have had a number of opportunities to see firsthand how lifelong and lifewide learning can make a difference to people’s lives.

Learning helps people fulfill their potential. It can also bring community connections alive through relationship building and strengthen our collective spirit. Don’t we need more of that in times like these?

For many years I have worked within a community development and social justice framework in local government and the not for profit sector, but I am still amazed at the things people can achieve when they cooperate and share with one another.

Anne and I crossed paths when I was working in mental health and later in cultural development. In her book, Resilience, she wrote, 'Resilience is about facing adversity with hope. We inhabit one world in which we are all deeply connected. I hope for the wisdom and justice which will bring us peace.'

Anne worked tirelessly for social change through her books and documentaries. Her first book, Tell Me I’m Here, about her son’s struggle with schizophrenia, won the 1992 Human Rights Award for nonfiction. Check out this podcast for more.

In October, ALA held a special forum in Canberra to explore the role of the ACE sector in supporting equitable and effective mental health reform and to encourage debate among ACE providers and our community mental health peers. A range of presenters summarised their research findings and presented a diverse range of case studies to approximately 50 attendees on the day. We were pleased to launch ALA's mental health policy on the day too. Links to papers presented at the forum can be found here.

Our research report ‘The role of ACE in supporting equitable mental health reform’ is now available.

ALA also took the opportunity to provide a submission to the National Mental Health Plan, which is now up for review. The Fifth Plan will seek to establish a national approach for collaborative government effort over the next five years, with a focus on achieving a better-integrated service system for consumers and carers.

While in Canberra, ALA President Chris McCall, Vice President Dr Tracey Ollis, and I met with James Mathias, Junior Advisor to Simon Birmingham (Minister for Education and Training) and Kate Ellis (Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Development & Shadow Minister for TAFE and Vocational Education) and her advisor Tim Watts.

We spoke about the role of ACE and emphasised the need for a renewed Ministerial Declaration on ACE. We will follow this up again in the New Year.

The Lowitja Institute held its first International Indigenous Conference on Health and Wellbeing in Melbourne 8–10 November.
The Conference asserts that Indigenous peoples across the world have the right to self-determination, as expressed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and that the right to self-determination underpins the right to health.

The conference was based on three themes – Identity, Knowledge and Strength. Recommended keynote presentations: Moanna Jackson (NZ), Chief Liitlechild (Canada), Professor Karina Walker (USA), Ms Gunn Health (Norway), and also Professor Jack Beetson (Aboriginal Adult Literacy Campaign). A conference commitment statement was adopted with a call to action.

The meeting minutes from the October ASQA/ALA consultation are available on the ALA website. Members can check them out here. The next ASQA/ALA consultation meeting has not yet been scheduled but will be finalised in late January. Please contact us to register your interest in attending.

This conference was held between 28–30 November at Victoria University in Melbourne and engaged people who participate with learning and teaching that takes place outside formal institutions. It included examples of research and achievements and best practice: http://www.publicpedagogies.org/about/ and the launch of an online journal http://www.publicpedagogies.org/journal/

ALA was invited, along with other peaks, to attend a meeting with representatives of State Library Victoria and members of the Public Libraries Victoria network for a round table discussion on adult literacy and opportunities for partnerships with the ACE sector. Also discussed was the Adult Literacy Innovation Funding Program. Find out more ...

Learning for Life? Neighbourhood Houses, Adult Learning and Transitions to Higher Education’ – a mini book on learning in ACE and Neighbourhood Houses by Dr Tracey Ollis, Professor Karen Starr, Cheryl Ryan, Dr Jennifer Angwin, Ursula Harrison, Deakin University. The book tells the stories of active participants in Neighbourhood Houses, of the formal and informal learning with which they engage. The research was conducted by Deakin University in partnership with the Barwon Network of Neighbourhood Centres, and the South West Neighbourhood House Network.

The Community Council for Australia (CCA) released ‘The Australia We Want’, report in October. It asks us to imagine a different kind of Australia than the one we have now. One based on creativity, sustainability, kindness and generosity, where innovation and achievement comes from the ground up, in our schools, communities, and within local groups.

Read more ...

ALA is currently working with LINC Tasmania with a view to hosting a two day forum in Hobart that will bring together ideas and opportunities on ACE and adult learning. Details to follow.

The Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Human Services is aiming for 'innovative ways to improve outcomes through introducing the principles of competition and informed user choice'. The Commission invites interested people and organisations to make a written submission.

The Commission has released a paper which outlines a range of issues it is seeking information about to assist participants in preparing a submission to the public inquiry. Read the issues paper.

A key consideration for the ACE sector is the level of adult literacy (including digital, health and financial) that will likely be required to enable people to benefit from any increased opportunities for user choice, particularly older people and people disadvantaged in our community. Submissions are due by Friday 10 February 2017. 

We encourage you to visit our membership portal to ensure that your membership details are current. We have lots of great opportunities coming up in 2017. So check our portal regularly to keep up to date with the latest announcements, research and policy papers, and professional development events. Please feel free to contact our member services at [email protected], or 03 9689 8623 for further advice and support.

I will be making my way around Australia next year, so please contact me by email or phone if you would like to meet to discuss opportunities or the potential for partnerships.

On behalf of the ALA team I wish you all the very best for the season. Thank you for sharing the gift of learning. Good tidings for your health hope and happiness in 2017. Stay safe and well. See you in the New Year!

Jenny Macaffer
CEO