CREATING OUR FUTURE Building Towns and Cities as Learning Communities Edmonton, CANADA 3-4 June, 2004 ADELAIDE Where we were, Where we are now ADELAIDE

Changing Social and Economic Nature of Communities in the 1990s Greater diversity, complexity, uncertainty Increased globalisation Rapidly changing technologies Knowledge explosion Micro-economic reform Changing nature of work Transformation of families

South Australia: Profile Third largest state of Australia – in size Fifth largest state of Australia – in population –approx $1.6m Urban population –1m people live in Adelaide 250,000 school age children (5-18 years) Multicultural community Ageing population Low population growth rate

South Australia – 1990s State in an economic crisis Collapse of State Bank High inflation rates Restructuring of the manufacturing sector Downturn in the rural economy High levels of unemployment (10-15%) Lower education participation

Global Response to Social and Economic Factors Successful communities of 21 st C will have –diverse economy –strong links with knowledge-based organisations –well educated workforce Solution: establish enterprising, innovative, learning communities Key lifelong learning initiatives –World Initiative on Lifelong Learning - Action Agenda for 21 st C (1995) –European Year of Lifelong Learning (1996) –OECD Education Ministers - Commitment to Lifelong for All (1996) –UNESCO Delors Report - Learning: The Treasure Within (1996) Foundations of Education Throughout Life Learning to KNOW - Learning to DO - Learning to LIVE TOGETHER - Learning to BE

South Australian Response SA Government placed priority on lifelong learning –to achieve lifelong employability –to support economic growth SA Government: Directions for SA: Statement –Education and Lifelong Learning Investing in the future of South Australia through quality education, training an lifelong learning –Employment and Economic Development Skilled and flexible workforce and lifelong learning opportunities –Regional Communities –Culture, Lifestyle and the Environment –Health and communities –Justice and Safety –Government Reform

SA Government Strategies Improve industry attitudes and commitment to training Provide a broad and balanced general education as a foundation for vocational education and training Support further development of a training culture through effective policies and programs Improve the flexibility of pathways to enable students to obtain education and training qualifications with seamless transition from one qualification to another

SA Centre for Lifelong Learning and Development Established by SA Government in 1999 –to provide leadership, advice and support in developing lifelong learning opportunities for SA Activities –research and development –seminars –information and publications –liaison and partnerships –consultancy services –review and evaluation services –teaching and facilitation Centre closed in 2003 –new strategy to integrated lifelong learning Outcome: placed lifelong learning on a plane which did not exist in SA several years ago

Outcomes Mawson Lakes Economic Development Project –development of a learning community –key role of Mawson Lakes School & Mawson Centre –partnerships with UniSA –regional education strategies Salisbury Learning Directions Plan (City of Salisbury) Marion Learning Festival (City of Marion) Department of Education and Children’s Services –incorporation of a stronger community building focus –0-8 integrated services focus –futures connect strategy –focus on local school management –appointment of Director, Learning Communities PALLACE Project Australian Learning Communities Network

Benefits Greater awareness of importance of lifelong learning and learning communities Willingness of all sectors of the community to come together to respond to challenges and opportunities Significant improvement in the State’s economy Evolution of a State which has: –a high standard of living –a reputation for being productive, creative and competitive Recognition that have only just begun the journey – more work needed on: –school retention rates –higher education participation rates –flexibility of learning pathways –job creation –community capacity building –joined-up, collaborative solutions