World Assembly of Adult Education

by Joan Brown-Hicks

ASSEMBLÉE MONDIALE D'ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES

Cette assemblée a été organisée par le Conseil international d'éducation des adultes, avec la coopération du Conseil latino-américain d'éducation des adultes, le ministère de l'Éducation et de la Justice de l'Argentine et le Conseil pour l'éducation populaire de ce même pays. L'assemblée s'est tenue du 24 au 30 novembre 1985 à Buenos Aires en Argentine.

Dans son rapport sur l'assemblée, la présidente du CCPEF, Joan Brown-Hicks, nous dit les faits marquants de cet événement d'une importance mondiale, qui a duré toute une semaine. Elle nous parle notamment de l'ouverture de l'assemblée par le président de l'Argentine, des discussions de groupes sur la contribution de l'éducation populaire au développement et à la paix, et du mouvement d'éducation des adultes.

La représentante du CCPEF a participé au groupe de travail sur l'éducation des adultes et des femmes, où elle a découvert que les problèmes des femmes dans les autres pays font écho à ceux des femmes canadiennes: alphabétisation, éducation des travailleurs, projets générateurs de revenus et rôle de la femme dans les mouvements politiques. En conclusion, elle explique que lors de réunions comme celles-ci, le CCPEF a beaucoup à contribuer en tant qu'organisation, et qu'il a beaucoup à apprendre de l'expérience des femmes dans les pays en voie de développement.

This assembly was organized by the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) in cooperation with the Latin American Council for Adult Education (CEAAL), the Ministry of Education and Justice in Argentina and the Argentina Council for Popular Education. It was held November 24-30, 1985, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
	President Alfonsin of Argentina & Dame Nita Barrow

THE COUNCIL

The International Council (ICAE), headquartered in Toronto, was created some years ago in response to an expressed concern by adult educators (especially the late Roby Kidd) from different parts of the world, to share information and strengthen cooperation. It was established in 1979 and since that time this international adult education network has been strengthened as a social movement by linking with the women's movement, labour and the cooperative movement.

The aims of the Council include the following:

"To promote the education of adults in all its variety of forms and dimensions and in relationship to the need for healthy growth and development of individuals, communities and societies:

• as a means of enhancing international understanding and world peace
• as a means of achieving economic, cultural and social development
• as a means of advancing the knowledge, skills and competencies of individuals and groups throughout the world.
• as a means of achieving fuller participation by such individuals and groups in the determination of their economic, social and cultural development."

The Council also strives to cooperate with national associations and institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, concerned with the education of adults. The membership of ICAF includes national associations, organizations, boards or institutions primarily concerned with the education of adults. Each member must be national in perspective. New members were welcomed into the assembly this year, including the Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women (CCLOW), which as President, I had the honour of representing. The affairs and activities of the Council are controlled by the General Assembly, the Executive Committee and the Bureau. The General Assembly is the whole membership of the Council which meets every four or five years in a forum such as the one in Buenos Aires. Budd Hall currently holds the position of Secretary General, Dame Nita Barrow is the President. The finances to operate come from many sources, including the membership. I am proud to note that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is a major source of financial support.