About Us

Scotland’s Learning Partnership (SLP)

SLP is a national partnership of adult learners and providers in Scotland. Our members are adult learners and learning providers. The purpose of SLP is to:

• Advocate the common interests of learners and providers to key policy makers and politicians
• Promote non-formal adult and family learning
• Develop innovative projects that reach out to excluded groups
• Equip and motivate learners with the skills to voice their views and actively shape their learning
• Increase opportunities for learners to shape and develop the national campaigns programme
• Advocate and lobby on behalf of both learners and providers

Advocate Common Interests

We have been working with partners across the world to develop a global advocacy network that enables and empowers adults and providers to participate in global and European policy development, identify problems and find solutions that encourage people to participate in lifelong learning.

Promote Non-formal Adult and Family Learning

SLP co-ordinates three learning campaigns annually that aim to raise the profile of learning and reach groups of people who would otherwise be excluded from the learning community.  The campaigns are organised by learners for learners, supported by a significant group of providers and organisations with an interest in learning.  During campaign times we work with over 7,600 organisers and providers to co-ordinate local and national activities reaching out to communities who might otherwise not take up learning opportunities. We also support a network of over 3200 learners who co-ordinate and support local campaign activities. Our 2009 campaigns programme is already proving to be a huge success.

1. Adult Learners' Week

Throughout the country, all of our partners create opportunities for adults to participate in Adult Learning by getting them to try something new. From Hawick to Wick, Lerwick to Lanark local organisations run fun days, hold tasters sessions, open days and events that aim to attract adults back into learning.

Since 1992 we have been developing opportunities to celebrate, support and create new opportunities for learning by demonstrating the wide range of activities available to adults in their own communities.

In 2005 we began working with other adult learning organisations’ across the world to develop the adult learners’ voice and to work on the creation of a charter that protects adult learners rights.

Adult Learners' Week is recognised as the most significant lifelong learning campaign in Scotland.

2. Family Learning Week

Across Scotland schools, community groups and others help us promote and develop family learning week.  We recognise the importance of formal education in society but use family learning week to develop a wider range of activities that encourage families to learn together. From book festival events, to painting and drawing and outdoor pursuits to competitions we look at the very different ways we can encourage parents and children to value and develop their learning potential.

3. One Hour a Day for Learning

Join us in learning about your passion in just one hour a day-that is the message for this key campaign.  Aimed at both adults and children this campaign promotes the message that learning needn’t be off putting and that one hour a day is all it takes to make a difference.
Develop Innovative Projects

We organise projects with partners where they want to develop new ideas in more than one area.  See more about our projects in the project pages of this site.

Equip and Motivate Learners to Develop their Voice

SLP has developed a programme of learners’ voices events and training to encourage learners to meet politicians and create an ongoing dialogue about adult learning in Scotland and across the world.  That's why we are the leading partner in founding the Global Adult Learners' Network.

GLOBAL ADULT LEARNERS’ NETWORK

All over the world-from the Americas to Europe, the Middle East to Africa and Asia-learners are coming together to have their say about the development of global policies in adult learning.

Following the international learners event held in Scotland earlier this year the conference delegates resolved to set up a global adult learners' network. Plans are underway and we hope to launch a new website in the Autumn to keep people updated.

Over 50 countries have already signed up to join, so if you haven't then give us a call.

The network aims to:

• Empower learners to influence changes in policy on lifelong learning at a local, national and international level
• Work towards direct learner involvement in decision making at the world Lifelong Learning Conference, to be  held in Brazil, 2009
• Raise awareness of the value of learner led advocacy groups such as the global adult learners’ network and other learners’ forums
• Consider the impact of different cultures on participation in learning and learner involvement in decision-making
• Establish a sustainable learners' voice at a Global level.

If you're interested in becoming part of it then call us on 0131 220 5567 or e-mail galn@btconnect.com

CONFINTEA VI

Living and Learning for a Viable Future: The Power of Adult Learning

The rescheduled date for the Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI), hosted by the Government of Brazil in Belém is 1 to 4 December 2009.  The conference will provide an important platform for policy dialogue and advocacy on adult learning and non-formal education at global level. Bringing together UNESCO Member States, United Nations agencies, multi- and bi-lateral cooperation agencies, organisations from civil society, the private sector and learners from all world regions to discuss the critical issues facing adult learning today.

The International Adult Learners' Charter developed in Edinburgh earlier this year will be presented by learners for consideration by delegates.  If you'd like a copy of the draft charter then please contact Deborah Bowie on 0131 220 5567 or e-mail deborah.bowie@scotlandslearning.org.uk

At SLP we believe that lifelong, life-wide learning for all is a right not a privilege and that we have a critical role to play in ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or ability, is offered the chance to participate in lifelong learning opportunities.