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