The Adult Learning Network

Mission

To provide a national networking structure for organisations working in the field of adult learning, basic education and development.

To promote redress and transformation in our society, with the key focus on improving the status, quality and provision of adult education.

Advocacy

The ALN lobbies government, business, potential funders and international donors to generate support for our sector.

Leading advocacy campaigns such as - Adult Learners’ Week (ALW), International Literacy Day (ILD) and the Global Campaign for Education - help promote a culture of adult learning.

Communication

The national ALN conference provides a vital opportunity to network, reflect on recent developments and respond to the challenges facing our sector.

Our national newsletter Talking Adult Learning facilitates information sharing by promoting innovation and critical debate and keeping members in touch with current developments.

Research

Research into adult education policy and implementation strategies facilitates the delivery of quality adult education and training programmes.

Critical issues

At our first national conference held in Kimberley in September 2002, more than 400 delegates from across the country acknowledged the need for a national movement that would represent the interests of the broad adult education sector.

The ALN was mandated to:

• Collaborate with civil society organisations, trade unions and all other stakeholders to strengthen the adult education sector.
  
  
• Engage government and the National Department of Education in an ongoing process of dialogue and debate around the planning and implementation of adult education policy, programmes and initiatives.
  
  
• Build partnerships with the Department of Labour, business and all Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to ensure that skills development programmes benefit previously disadvantaged communities including learners who are unemployed, disabled or living in rural areas.

Our second national conference was held in Bloemfontein in September 2003 and reflected on the ALN's progress in meeting these objectives. Conference delegates also developed a set of further resolutions that will guide and inform future activities of the Network.

Our third national conference was jointly hosted by the ALN and Department of Education at the International Convention Centre in Cape Town and addresses current challenges facing both formal and non-formal learning programmes.

Building effective partnerships

The Adult Learning Network was established in 2001 and has grown to become an effective voice that advocates and lobbies for the adult education sector. Today, the ALN has:

• developed strong links with the Education Training and Development Practitioners SETA with representation on the Board, Levy Chamber and ABET Reference Group
  
  
• been registered as an accredited training provider with the Health and Welfare SETA through its ALN-AIDS programme
  
  
• become an active partner in the South African REFLECT Network
  
  
• developed a strong relationship with provincial government through the Adult Basic Education and Training Councils in various provinces
  
  
• played a leading role in a range of advocacy campaigns including Adult Learners' Week, the Global Campaign for Education and the Learning Cape Festival
  
  
• been registered as a Section 21 Non-Profit Organisation (No. 032-529)

Let's work together to build a strong
adult education, training and development sector

We call on all educators, trainers, learners, project managers and development workers to join the ALN and become active members of the Network in the provinces.

We need to work together to address the challenges facing our sector and ensure that adult education and development is placed at the forefront of the national agenda.

Become an active member of the Adult Learning Network!

Provincial Co-ordinators

ALN National Office

P. O. Box 107
Observatory
7935

Phone: (021) 447 4828/4898

Fax: (021) 447 4878

E-mail: aln-national@iafrica.com