ADULT LEARNING FORUM WESTERN CAPE
ADULT LEARNING FORUM WESTERN CAPE
Promoting Lifelong and Lifewide Learning
Promoting Lifelong and Lifewide Learning
Embedded Files
The struggle for a viable and relevant adult learning sector has always been the raison d’etre for the Adult Learning Forum (ALF). ALF originated as the ABET Forum Western Cape but it was realised that this did not cover the spectrum of work we needed to do.
In those early days the main focus of adult learning was literacy; many of the civil society organisations had been working to link literacy with development and the political struggles of South Africa. In the early 1990s we were all fired up to change the status quo and bring about meaningful learning opportunities for communities. The required passion that drove members to work for a new society was vital, as it still is, in order to maintain the momentum for change.
ALF ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS ON A LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL
ALF ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATORS AND LEARNERS ON A LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL
https://www.dhet.gov.za/Community/national%20policy%20on%20community%20colleges.pdf
The Adult Learning Forum (ALF) provided invaluable input and feedback on the latest CETC'S Policy. ALF also hosted the first national conference for the newly formed Community Education and Training College National Forum from 10 July 2023 to 13 July 2023 in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. The result was a draft declaration for the Department of Higher Education and Training and a more unified and focused voice for CETCs across the provinces.
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
CTV Stakeholders Workshop in 2021 where the Adult Learning Forum were invited to be part of the organisations and members representing the many aspects of education: school, tertiary, adult basic education, health and children/ECD. ALF's educators and learners look forward to creating on the ground videos and interviews and unpacking relevant policies and important comments made on the sector. There is an exciting opportunity to share experiences and information in interesting formats. Partnering with media provides opportunities to promote and advocate for adult learning.
ALF MENTAL WELLNESS
ALF MENTAL WELLNESS
PROGRAMME FOR YOUTH AND EDUCATORS WORKING WITH SADAG NPOwer
PROGRAMME FOR YOUTH AND EDUCATORS WORKING WITH SADAG NPOwer
The Adult Learning Forum partnered with SADAG NPOwer and held blended workshops and activities with youth in 2024. This is part of a broader ongoing programme in addressing the challenges facing youth and adults in and around Community Learning Centres in the Western Cape. ALF Covid Youth Learners Discussion 2020 - YouTube
http://www.sadag.org/
ALF YOUTH COUNCIL
ALF YOUTH COUNCIL
As part of the Adult Learning Forum's succession plan youth have been identified to work with the current members and we look forward to learning from and working with the next generation of Adult Education Activists. They form the Adult Learning Forum Youth Council.
ADULT LEARNER'S WEEK
ADULT LEARNER'S WEEK
ALF organises events during Adult Learner’s Week and invites learners, educators, organisations and other interested stakeholders to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements.
Adult Learning Week 2023 under the UNESCO Theme: "Promoting Literacy for a Changing World - Building a Strong Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Societies" The Adult Learning Forum collaborated with the Public Education Office of Parliament and the Canon Collins Trust and Adult Learning Week (ALW) was launched on 8 September 2023.
ADVOCACY
ADVOCACY
Democracy cannot exist without a strong and vocal civil society. The Forum engages with a range of debates at local, provincial and national level. The Forum also raises issues of concern to the sector, supports educators and learners from Community Learning Centres and society in general, particularly linking into under- resourced communities, via the various bodies on which it has representation.
NON-FORMAL EDUCATION
NON-FORMAL EDUCATION
Whilst many learners want formalised classes there are just as many who need a non-formal, more participatory environment.
ONGOING DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERSHIPS
ALF members successfully completed the ALESBA Training Course.
What is the ALESBA?
The ALESBA is a tool which can guide governments, civil society organisations, universities and other stakeholders (e.g., donors, the private sector, etc.) in the complex task of building sustainable adult education systems that can deliver ALE services to youth and adults in Africa.
MOJA
MOJA
MOJA is an online resource for adult learning and education professionals and practitioners in the public sector, private sector, civil society and academia in Africa.
On 25 May 2023, UNESCO with support of DVV International, brought development partners, international and national NGOs and civil society for a follow up action on effective adult learning and education (ALE) policies and practices from the seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII), which took place in Marrakech, Morocco, in June 2022. Marrakech Framework for Action | Institute for Lifelong Learning
www.uil.unesco.org/en/marrakech-framework-action
Vision: A strong provincial adult and youth learning organization that promotes lifelong and life wide learning in all sectors and spheres of life.
Mission: To promote and advance adult and youth learning through our work with individuals, organisations and sectors as we endeavor to foster a culture of learning in the province.
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
Strategic Activities
Lobbying: Government & SETAs, for strong representation of civil society
Sharing: Experiences, skills & practices
Encouraging: adult learning practices that contribute to a democratic society
Providing: relevant mechanisms for meaningful networking
Agitating: for adult learning as a vehicle for development
Fostering: reflection for informed research on policies and practices
There are a number of national issues with which the Forum engages.
Non–Formal Learning - the participatory Popular Education approach is strongly supported and advocated. Whilst many learners want formalised ABET classes there are just as many who need a non-formal, more participatory environment.
Social Justice - as an organ of civil society the Forum speaks out for the rights of education across all sectors, subscribing to the Education for All campaign, the Global Campaign for Education, early childhood development, gender rights, family literacy, CIVICUS and others.
Lifelong Learning - to promote and strengthen democratic practices, social inclusion and critical citizenship, as well as retooling skills for employment.
Poverty Alleviation - it is known that poverty and a lack of literacy and education are inextricably intertwined. The Forum seeks to raise awareness of these links and find ways to engage with relevant role-players.
DHET and other stakeholders
ALF has a good working relationship with the Department of Higher Education and Training, MOJA Moja (mojaafrica.net) ,
a platform launched in 2020 to unite institutions, individuals and organisations across Africa with youth and adult learning as a strong link, We also connect with SETAs, and other relevant and interested stakeholders.
Popular Education
ALF has an active interest in Popular Education. Popular Education is non-formal, and the process of learning and teaching is participatory drawing on popular culture and using dialogue extensively.
Contact: Adult Learning Forum Western Cape
Merle FRED: Administrator
Cell: 0824023293
Email:alforum@mweb.co.za
NPO Registration 105-525-NPO
36 Ontong Way
Grassy Park, 7941
Western Cape
https://www.mojaafrica.net/en/
We are grateful to our funders DVV International and partner organisations for their support and partnership, which enables our vital work to continue These partners include The Popular Education Programme (PEP); The Women Circle (TWC); the Initiative for Participatory Development (IPD); Hands on Collective (HOC); Centre for Education Rights and Transformation(CERT) Centre for Integrated Post School Education (CIPSET); ALF is a proud member of Cape Town TV.
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