Live&learn video protagonists and production team members
06.07.2016

Let stories speak

From Portugal to Finland, from Great Britain to Denmark: what do adult educators and learners from these countries have in common? They all share inspiring stories about their personal and professional pathways in adult education – and they all feature in eight videos that were produced in the framework of the Live&Learn project. The videos were launched at the final project event on 29 June in Brussels, Belgium.

Lee grew up in a Northern English community, in a family of miners, hard hit by the recession of the 80s. With precious little opportunity to fuel any ambition beyond mining or construction, Lee drifted, and got into drugs. Lee’s manager at his call centre job recognised his potential and suggested getting back to learning. This was a decisive moment in his life.

Hailing from a family of teachers, Sigrid vowed never to become one herself. Which of course she did. She educates youngsters at Krogerup Folk High School, a typical Danish residential institution of non-formal learning. Her subject: how to change the world! Sigrid teaches active citizenship through a variety of methods including trade simulations and actual campaigning.

Enough of reading about Lee and Sigrid. Go watch their stories!

A new theme issue of Elm is built around the eight short documentaries from Denmark, Finland, the UK and Portugal. Among them you will find Lee and Sigrid. You could also watch how Veli-Antti, a Finnish music educator builds a learning team out of him amateur symphony orchestra. Or how Portuguese Idalina fulfilled her ambition to become a solicitor after 30 years of working in a textile factory.

Each country features two videos, one of a learner, one of an educator. This reflects the two main target groups for the videos: The learner stories are intended to be testimonies of the power of learning, aimed at the general public. The educator stories are more geared towards sharing good practices among European adult educators. In this issue each educator video is complemented by an article elaborating on the practices and methods seen on the screen.

The videos were produced within an Erasmus+ project, coordinated by Elm’s publisher, the Finnish Lifelong Learning Foundation. They are a free resource for anyone to use and spread, also available on our Vimeo channel.

A most heartfelt thanks to all the learners and educators who shared their stories with our production team – a true privilege, and a learning experience for all touched by these stories.

 

Text: Markus Palmén, Raffaela KihrerPhotos: Helka Repo

20.09.2023 green transition

Transformative learning is at the heart of a sustainable future

We are facing the pressing need to transition towards a more sustainable and climate-friendly society. Through partnerships with grassroots initiatives and social movements, the Tale project explores how transformative learning can be a catalyst for the green transition.

20.09.2023 advocacy

How about some learning? Join new EAEA courses in 2023-24

The month of September brings out a “back to school” mood among many of us. Perhaps you’re walking back into a classroom to teach a class. Maybe you’re dropping off your kids at school in the morning. There’s also a chance that you’re feeling inspired to get a pencil case yourself and start a new course as a learner. Find out more about EAEA’s training offer and the six new courses taking place in the upcoming months!

15.09.2023 advocacy

European Education Area: More recognition and structural funding for ALE can make it a success

Three years into the European Education Area (EEA), it is time to take stock of what the EEA means for adult learning and education. EAEA has prepared a response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the interim evaluation of the European Education Area.