This week, from March 1 through March 7, 2010, organizations across Canada and the world celebrate adult learners and the joy of learning throughout life.

International Adult Learners’ Week (IALW) was officially launched by UNESCO on September 8, 2000.

The pioneers of Adult Learners’ Week understood that the most effective way to underscore the importance of lifelong learning was to give adult learners themselves the chance to express their views, describe their challenges, and document their success stories.

In Canada, IALW has been celebrated since 2002. During the week organizations host adult learning and literacy festivals and events advocating for raising the profile of adult learners and lifelong learning.

This week, many literacy organizations encourage learners to take the Learning Challenge, organized by ABC Canada, where they are asked to find new ways to use technology to bring more learning into their life. They can:

• Sign up for a computer course.
• Learn to operate a new machine at work.
• Add to a blog, Facebook, Twitter or other social media.
• Read the instructions for your camera or cell phone.
• Take the time to teach someone a new technical skill.

When done, learners are encouraged to share their experiences with others. Many can post their feedback and ideas on IALW in Canada Facebook.

Congratulations to all organizations involved in hosting IALW events this week.

Here is more information about IELW:

Canadian Commission for UNESCO

The Development and State of the Art of Adult Learning and Education (ALE) report.

The 2010 IALW Opening up the possibilities magazine.

To find out what is happening in your area this week, visit National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) events calendar at http://events.nald.ca/browse/week.

© AlphaPlus Centre 2008