| | | Bulletin no. 30 - May 9th, 2001
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ACC has become a chapter of the AWE (Association for World Education)
Seminar on "Adult Learning, citizenship and democracy"
& Conference on "Citizenship, Adult Education and Lifelong Learning"
CBSS NGO Forum
ACC postcard
ACC articles
East West Exchange
Calendar
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AWE and ACC
As was decided at the General Assembly 2000 in Latvia, the ACC applied to the AWE International Council for becoming a chapter of the AWE (Association for World Education). On April 7th the AWE International Council convened in Copenhagen and the Council approved ACC as a new associate.
The AWE has bylaws and aims similar to the ACC, so it is a natural move, when ACC and AWE cooperate in the future. As is obvious the focus of the AWE is the world, while ACC is operating mainly in a European context.
AWE has consultative status in the UN-system, so the ACC is now included in the sphere of recognized NGO´s. The AWE gives us as well a network of contacts all over the world. The AWE is issuing a journal, so as an eventual member you will hear more on a regular basis.
Each Chapter of the AWE is electing one delegate to the Council. The chapter-delegates to the Council can together decide to elect a number of individuals to be members of the International Council. It was decided that ACC should be represented in the International Council by Mjellma Mehmeti (Skopje) and John Petersen (Aabenraa). The Council convenes on a triannual basis. Furthermore the presidency asked John Petersen to be international coordinator of the AWE.
At the ACC General Assembly in Latvia 2000, two sets of statutes were adopted of which one of them would be valid, if and when we were approved as an AWE chapter. The valid statutes are sent in a separate mail in a minute just as the AWE bylaws.
We can only look forward to cooperate with very qualified and interesting AWE-actives from all over the world.
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Seminar on "Adult Learning, citizenship and democracy" (March 28th) &
Conference on "Citizenship, Adult Education and Lifelong Learning" (April 4th-6th).
A seminar on "Adult Learning, citizenship and democracy" took place from March 28th - April 3rd (9th). The seminar included a one week stay at the Helnæs Højskole on Fuenen, DK. Participants including Laszlo Dani, Linda Jakobsone, Mjellma Mehmeti and John Petersen were introduced to the ways of dealing with the headline-issues in a Danish Democratic context, and since participants were mainly AWE-members, our ACC-folks had the opportunity to meet and become familiar with the AWE and its members from Africa, South-America, Europe and Asia. The Seminar was arranged by the Danish chapter of the AWE.
Attached to the seminar was the conference "Citizenship, Adult Education and Lifelong Learning" from April 4th-6th in Vartov, Copenhagen. The conference was organized by the Danish University of Education cooperating with the University of Western Cape, the UNESCO institute for Education, the AWE and the Danish Folk High School Association (FFD).
Among more than 100 participants from all over the world were again Mjellma, Linda, Laszlo and John just as Jesper Nielsen (Aabenraa) and Rex Schade (Ryslinge) were taking part.
During the conference giving thorough introduction to the context of debating the issues at stake, more workshops framed the progress of the debate. Workshops dealt with (1) "Pluralism and democratic citizenship", (2) "Rethinking Citizenship in Light of Globalization", (3) Lifelong Learning for Citizenship", and (4) Affiliation and Participation -Narrative Identity".
To give a brief introduction to the kind of work done in the workshops, here is a quotation from the report from the workshop (2). The report is done by Professor Dani W. Nabudere (Africa Study Center, Uganda):
"It is becoming increasingly clear that the on-going processes of economic globalisation are creating pressures on individuals, groups, communities and societies which make it necessary to rethink the place and role of citizenship in the contemporary world. Formerly, the role of the citizen was defined by the individuals' social responsibilities and juridical rights in the framework of nation-states. In conditions of globalisation however economic development and rapid technological transformation have increased the flow of information and commodities, which have made the human contact ever closer. These developments have also led to the weakening of the nation-states and, along with it, the role of the citizen has been transformed. For this reason individuals must develop appropriate responses to the global and local changes that are occurring in conformity with these transformations and challenges. This implies the ability of the citizens and communities to become ever more active as they take increased responsibility and accountability in shaping their own future."
"...Modernisation has been modified and democratised to some extent by the activities and mobilisations of civil society and communities throughout the world. Through these activities across the globe, ordinary people have built a reservoir of common human values based on their diverse cultures through education, cultural exchanges and common struggles for freedom."
"Rethinking a new role for the citizen in society enables us to respond to the new situation by acquiring new skills, knowledge and attitudes through new forms of learning which include Life Long Learning and education for life. This widening role for the citizen has been growing with the struggle for civil and human rights..."
"Globalisation has therefore highlighted the need for all individuals and communities to become ever involved in the affairs that affect the globe as a common home which is indivisible; and for all human beings to develop a sense and duty of tolerance towards other peoples and their cultures."
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CBSS NGO Forum
Jeppe Linnet (Copenhagen), Sanda Serafinovica (Riga), Niels Bendix and Lis Nielsen (Copenhagen) took part in the Council of Baltic Sea States NGO Forum Conference in Copenhagen, March 24th, 2001. The aim of this initiative is to secure the civil society and Baltic Sea-based NGOs a stronger role in the development of the Baltic Sea Region generally, and in relation to CBSS specifically. It is a response to the concern of a broad range of Baltic Sea-based NGOs about the current development-path of the Region. Jeppe was even leading the workshop on cultural issues, where the idea of common community colleges was presented. The conference was only the first step in a larger ambition concerning the role of the NGO's in the Baltic Sea region. We are looking forward to follow this process in the future and to see the next steps.
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An ACC postcard...
The board or whomever it was has been talking about creating an ACC-postcard. Since we could probably find the finances for such an idea within short time, we would like to ask members to give proposals for one or more designs. How should the ACC present itself on a postcard? Come on, lets make it a competition. Who has the best fantasy in Europe? Explain it in words, draw it, send it, mail it, paint it, tell it, do whatever you like, but do it. Maybe just the logo, maybe some smiling beautiful people, maybe the leaning tower of Pisa, maybe the queen of England.... see what I mean, we need your fantasy, not mine.
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Articles about the ACC-ideas
At the board meeting 6/4 in Copenhagen, we have talked about encouraging members to drawing attention to our ideas. That is why we would like to announce, that we are willing to pay a salary, if your articles about our ideas are printed. Please call and lets talk about it. (+45 2425 3068) Another paid job, which needs to be done is the creation of a power-point presentation. Would you be interested in creating a basic introduction to the ACC and its ideas in Power Point or a similar programme? Please call! (+45 2425 3068)
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East West Exchange
On monday May 7th 10 Danish citizens arrived to Latvia, where they are going to follow a one-week programme prepared by the Klubs Maja/Club The House (JEF-LV), Riga, in co-operation with the ACC. Participants will take part in the so-called "Europe Week", which includes a thoroughly guided and prepared tour through the landscape of Latvian Europe-related institutions and associations. The programme includes introduction to the history of Latvia and Riga, visits to the high schools and gymnasiums of Latvia and different activities carried through by the JEF-LV local sections.
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Calendar
24/3 Council of Baltic Sea States NGO Forum Conference in Copenhagen Sanda Serafinovica, Jeppe Linnet, Lis Nielsen and Niels Bendix
28/3 -6/4 AWE-seminar and conference (Mjellma Mehmeti, Laszlo Dani, Linda Jakobsone, John Petersen, Jesper Nielsen, Rex Schade).
2/4 Presentation by John Petersen at Helnæs Højskole, "Emancipatory pedagogy, when is it universal and when is it culture specific".
3/4 Meeting at The House of Folk High Schools (Copenhagen), concerning the constitution-initiative, John.
7/4 World Council, AWE, John, Mjellma, Linda, Laszlo, Rex
8/4 World Council, AWE, John, Mjellma, Linda, Laszlo
13/4- 16/4 Eva Valvo taking part in the GA of the FGEI at Villaggio della Gioventù (near Rome).
28/4- 29/4 Preparatory meetings of the East-West project at "Klubs Maja/Club The House", Riga. John, Sanda, Sandra
4/5 Meeting at The House of Folk High Schools, Copenhagen, John.
4/5 Meeting at AOF, Copenhagen, John + John Steen Johansen, consultant
7/5 The East West project is beginning.
7/5 Sandra Salmina presenting the ACC for the East-West participants, Riga, Latvia
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Many lives are disturbed by exams in these times.
May your Gods be with you!
Best regards
ACC International programme office
Flensborgvej 48, A6
DK-6200 Aabenraa
office@acc.eu.org
www.acc.eu.org
+45 2425 3068 /John
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