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ALCN Helps to Grow Learning Communities
The Australian Learning Communities Network Inc (ALCN) is a national network of leading-edge practitioners building sustainable communities using learning as the key element.
Upcoming News and Events
ALCN Webinar and AGM – Australian Learning Cities Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Date for Diary: 11 May 2021, 2pm
Keynote speaker Peter Kearns, AO, will speak about Learning Cities in Australia and how this movement has evolved over the years, ranging from the initial development in the past, to how we can look to tomorrow for true change and impact. Peter has written a background paper where he suggests 12 steps towards a sustainable future for learning cities. The Webinar will include discussion on how cities can adapt these steps to their local context.
Jac Torres-Gomez from Wyndham City Council will then reflect on Peter’s paper and will speak about Empathy Partnerships and the role this plays in supporting strong, sustainable learning cities.
Dr Leone Wheeler, Hon. CEO, ALCN, will facilitate the discussion.
Note: Members of the ALCN are invited to stay on for the AGM occurring after the webinar, at 3.15 pm.
Register here
For further information, please email Dr. Leone Wheeler alcn@bigpond.com and for information about the speakers download the invitation document.
Ripples April Newsletter
Read the latest ALCN newsletter which provides more detailed information about the AGM and Webinar, a visit to Gwydir Learning Region, and the dynamic work of our learning practitioners
Link to the April Newsletter here: https://mailchi.mp/e663f7c536b7/alcn-ripples-april-newsletter?e=2b191ec4b9&fbclid=IwAR2cGwMzZ-WgPFvqKM8JrgdpMQSVoeFfg3T__Pjs9h3yREz-HuFj49_TnbE
2020 Global Learning Festival Report
A report produced by Melton City Council and Wyndham City Council on the outcomes of the 2020 Global Learning Festival.
Feature Story – Enable Social Enterprises – Renew Tech for Good Initiative
Hume Learning Community
Written by Julie Mckay, Founder and Director, Enable Australia
Since 2015, Enable have supported hundreds of people from disadvantaged backgrounds to connect with community, environment, and improve their prospects of employment through innovative work and learning programs.
Enable operate commercially in the Computer decommissioning and recycling, warehousing, fulfilment and storage and Online Retailing sectors with 100% of the profits from trade re-invested to operate and support a total of nine (9) work and learning stations to support participants with skill-building, confidence, and career decision-making.
Feature Paper – Learning Cities in Australia – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Written by Peter Kearns, AO
It is salutary to reflect on the things we do from time to time, especially when this involves worthwhile ideas such as learning cities. Even the most worthy of ideals date with the passage of time so we need to reflect, and discuss, how we revitalise our ideals in this turbulent world of disruptive changes.
I have been involved in the development of learning cities in Australia from the early days. This included ten years on the Board of the Hume Global Learning Village, so I observed the impact of this vision of the Hume community over some time. I have then been involved in the development of learning cities and neighbourhoods in various parts of the world – especially East Asia and Western Europe – through my work for the PASCAL International Observatory. This included founding the PASCAL PIE program of Exchanges between Learning Cities, and EcCoWell as an approach to integrated and holistic development. This experience guides my thinking on the future, and my reflections on the Australian story of learning cities.
What is a Learning Community?
A learning community is one that address its own learning needs through partnership. It uses the strengths of individual, social and institutional relationships across sectors to bring about cultural shifts in the perceptions of the value of learning. Learning communities explicitly use learning to enhance social, economic, cultural and environmental conditions on a sustainable, inclusive basis.
Image: Ballarat Work and Learning Centre receiving certificates for a cooking class.