Innovations in Community-based learning?

1. Innovations in Community-based learning? Marjorie Mayo Centre for Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement, Goldsmiths, University of London

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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’

7. ‘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?)

8. 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?

9. 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

10. From the ‘I’ to the ‘we’ locally & more widely

11. 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