Opening Higher Education to Traditionally Marginalised Groups

Arising from European Commission (FP6) funded research LLL2010, Towards a Lifelong Learning Society: The Contribution of the Education System (2005-2011), undertaken through the Educational Disadvantage Centre, St. Patrick’s College,  Dr Catherine Maunsell, Education Department, St Patrick's College was invited by the EU Commission to present on ‘Access to Higher Education for Traditionally Marginalised Groups in Europe’, at the Final Conference on the Adult Learning Action Plan (2008-2010) in Budapest 7th-9th March, 2011, hosted by the EU Commission Directorate General Education and Culture (DGEAC) and in collaboration with the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The session was chaired by David Hughes, Head of Eurydice Unit, The Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency with Veronika Remišová, DGEAC, European Commission as Rapporteur of session proceedings.

The presentation drew, in the main, on findings of research across 12 countries – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, England, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Russia, Scotland, and Slovenia - on access to education for traditionally marginalized groups. This research highlighted a range of key policy recommendations for the European Commission in relation to access to education for those traditionally excluded from the education system, recommendations detailed in the Subproject 5 Comparative Report, authored by Dr. Paul Downes, Director of the Educational Disadvantage Centre who has responsibility for overall leadership of Subproject 5.

The conference brought together some 250 key stakeholders in the adult learning field – senior officials responsible for adult learning and leading European experts, practitioners involved in high quality projects, networks and partnerships, social partners, and important national and European organisations. It is anticipated that the strategic priorities developed during the conference will shape both the upcoming EU Commission Communication on Lifelong Learning and the second Adult Learning Action Plan to be launched later this year as part of the framework of the Education and Training 2020 strategy to support the development of a strong and responsive adult learning sector in Europe.

 

Last Updated: Tuesday April 05 2011