February 2023

Supporting the Community Learning Sector

All island adult learning organisation AONTAS and representatives of more than 20 local community learning groups based around the Northwest met in Derry~Londonderry at the end of January. This was a great example of two of the Charter’s principles in practice: ‘Advocating for the improvement of the value given to and the quality of vocational and non-university paths to careers’; and ‘exploiting mutually beneficial links in education, including adult and community education’. The event, ‘Supporting the Sector, Supporting the Learner’, provided a space for community learning groups and activists from across Northern Ireland to discuss common challenges and ways of working. AONTAS, which is a strong supporter of the New Common Charter, will shortly launch an “NI Community Education Census” to capture these kinds of experience.

Improving Women’s Representation

Common Charter supporter Longford Women’s Link along with 50/50 North West recently collaborated with Westmeath County Council to host a seminar in Mullingar entitled ‘More Inclusive Politics for Westmeath’. In a welcome example of the Charter’s principle of ‘improving women’s representation in decision-making structures’, the meeting discussed the need for gender quotas at local level, family friendly working hours, hybrid meetings, hot desks and the vital need for more diversity and people from migrant backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ and Traveller women to ensure balanced decision making in Local Government. You can find out more about the collaboration’s Free Online Election Workshops at www.seeherelected.ie.

If you are a supporter organisation that wishes to have your relevant projects and cooperation efforts highlighted as part of the New Common Charter, please email ccbs@qub.ac.uk