Eur-Alpha

European network for adult literacy and numeracy

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#6 - April 2012

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Hello!

The current European programme for Lifelong Learning will end in 2013. The proposal for 2014-2020 has been entitled ’Erasmus for all’.

This new programme will greatly affect the adult education sector. Keep yourselves updated and act!

The newsletter #6 is also available in a pdf version.

Enjoy!

 ‘Erasmus for all’... but not for us?

In November 2011, the European Commission proposed to merge the different programmes for education, youth and sport under the name of ‘Erasmus for all’.

Grundtvig, the adult education programme belongs to the 7 programmes affected by this reorganization.

If we welcome the increased number of beneficiaries and the will to rationalize and improve efficiency that underlies this proposition, we can not avoid to be concerned. Indeed, ‘Erasmus for all’ does not seem to take into account the needs of education for adults, specially not the less advantaged population we work with.

The European Parliament, a few lobbies and the European Civil Society are currently trying to equilibrate the proposition of the Commission. As European citizens and representatives of adult education associations, you have the opportunity to make your voice heard. We invite you to contact your MEPs (members of the European Parliament) to defend the place of Adult Education in the new programme ‘Erasmus for All’.

The European Association for the Education of adults (EAEA) has highlighted a few necessary changes in a very well-documented advocacy. Feel free to download it in French and in English to disseminate it as largely as possible.

 Eur-Alpha News

 “Literacy Learning- its place in Europe” - Bonn (Germany)

On the 4th September 2012, the Eur-Alpha Network will present its findings from three years work. Representatives of the Eur-Alpha learners ’committee will present recommendations from The European Manifesto of literacy learners which they developed themselves. The tutors will also present a Charter for tutors’ training and the good practices that result from it.

Join us in Bonn to hear and make heard the needs and demands of the adult literacy sector! Download the invitation in French or in English

 Final preparations in June – Brussels

In June, the network will meet to finalize the conference on September 4, 2012. The trainers will agree on how to present their Charter and the consortium will complete the work on the publications.The meeting is combined with the last learners’ workshop. They will receive advices from a professional to put their Manifesto in images and movement.

 New face in Eur-Alpha coordination

Since the beginning of March, we have the chance welcome a new trainee in Lire et Ecrire. Nerea has come to help us under the Leonardo da Vinci programme. The Leonardo programme is a subdivision of the Lifelong Learning Programme (2007-2013) and funds practical projects in the field of vocational education and training. Nerea has a degree in Translation and Interpreting in Spanish-English-French. Her linguistic skills will be of great use during her 5 months stay.

 News from the partners

 The Scottish spread the word around – Education Scotland

To do a quality work in the Eur-Alpha framework, the members of the scientific committee should be the link between the fieldwork and the European level. The Scottish learners have understood it well. Between March and May, they ‘ve done a tour in different places of Scotland to explain the Eur-Alpha project. They will also find out if learners in Scotland would like to start a national literacies learners network.

 Global LIFE Mid-term Evaluation report (2006-2015) – UIL

The Literacy Initiative for Empowerment of UNESCO (LIFE) is a key operational mechanism for the implementation of the United Nations Literacy Decade.

The institute of UNESCO for lifelong learning (UIL) has recently published the mid-term evaluation report of this initiative. The report shows mixed results with regard to progress in literacy but confirms the relevance and added value brought by LIFE to literacy development.

 Free plain English training for the health sector – NALA

During March and April, NALA organized 4 free plain English and literacy awareness training for employees in the health sector. Healthcare professionals and advocacy groups face particular challenges in ensuring that patients or service users can understand basic health information whether they receive it in writing, in person or over the phone.

The training was preceded by a presentation of the first ever results from the Ireland EU Health Literacy Survey.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.

This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Education and Culture DG