Dear Colleagues,

This month I report on the AGM, introduce you to the ALCN Executive; and the ALCN Webinar – with a keynote by Peter Kearns, AO, on the topic of Australian Learning Cities: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Peter noted that we should start sharing ideas about a possible Learning Community Renaissance project for 2021/2022. Jac Gomez-Torres, Wyndham Learning City, also shared her ideas about ensuring empathy partnerships are part of the learning community strategy mix, especially in these challenging times.

Our feature article is an introduction to Wollongong City Council. Wollongong became a member of the ALCN in 2020 and with the recent appointment of Lara Pugh, Project Leader Learning City, the city is embarking on its journey to become a learning city. Lara is also keen to connect with other interested learning communities and learning cities, particularly in New South Wales, so please contact Lara.

Please keep those stories and ideas coming and feedback on this newsletter is very welcome.

 
Dr Leone Wheeler
Hon. CEO
Australian Learning Communities Network
Website: www.alcn.com.au
fb: @aus.alcn
+61 (0) 456 038 236     Email: [email protected]

I take this opportunity to thank the following people who were duly appointed to the ALCN Executive for a two year period (2021-2023):
 

Leone Wheeler, Hon. CEO
Diane Tabbagh, Chair	Wyndham City Council, Victoria
Jim Saleeba, Treasurer	Albury Wodonga, NSW
Max Eastcott, regional NSW	Gwydir Learning Region, NSW
Adam Josifovski (Acting)	Melton City Council, Victoria
Lara Pugh, coordinator of NSW ALCN Network	Wollongong City Council, NSW
Jan Simmons, regional Victoria	Ballarat, Victoria
Ken Thompson	Hume Learning Community, Victoria

 
For a summary of the activities of the ALCN for the 2020-2021 financial year please read our Annual Report.
Read more:

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ALCN Webinar Review - 11 May 2021
Australian Learning Communities: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
 

We started the Webinar with a Menti-Metre exercise asking the question ‘what does a successful learning city look like?’ Of course, from the responses below, our audience already had good ideas about key elements of a learning city.



Peter Kearns, AO, briefly focussed on the history of learning cities, saying that initial excitement and new ideas developed; for example, he talked about new language such as the Hume Global Learning Village in Melbourne. Also, Government funding at the time enabled a number of pilots around the country and in Victoria, but the long-term funding was not there.

Access is an especially important objective. We need to harness all the resources of a city or community to ensure lifelong learning opportunities for all. Another is the use of learning strategies to build community and social cohesion within the community.

Peter believes that the situation has now changed, which make the learning city/learning community idea imperative. As a society, we are faced with great challenges. Not only responding to such things as the pandemic, but we are an ageing society, and people are living longer. We need to think about a multi-stage life—also, the impact of the 4^th industrial revolution, particularly Artificial Intelligence and continued urbanisation.

What should we do? We need to rethink learning cities. Peter referred us to UNESCO Commission on Education Futures and a forthcoming paper rethinking lifelong learning. Also, UNESCO UIL paper Embracing a Culture of Lifelong Learning.

We need to think about how we can build lifelong learning into our culture so that it is endemic to everything we do. How can we innovate and creative in building a learning culture?

Suggestions for the way forward:

• Think of learning cities as creative learning ecosystems.
• Connecting biological/planetary, social systems.
• Use systems thinking – a discipline for seeing relationships and wholes.
• Strengthen networks and sharing ideas, for example, becoming a member of UNESCO UIL and PASCAL International Observatory.

What can the ALCN do?
Peter suggests sharing ideas over the coming year about a new generation of learning communities. Also, building sub-networks within the ALCN in areas of interest, for example, the environment, ageing population. Our members should build their international links. We could integrate this in a one-year project called the Learning Community Renaissance project.

Thank you, Peter – this is certainly something the ALCN needs to consider and will discuss at our next Executive meeting!!

An Empathy Partnership Lens in Australian Learning Cities: Increasing our Impact
by Jac Torres-Gomez, Learning Community Officer, Wyndham Learning City

The second half of the seminar involved Jac taking us through Empathy Partnerships. Jac noted that having a formal learning community strategy with partnerships at its core progresses actions more so than if learning projects are ‘ad-hoc’. However, in these times of increased uncertainty Jac argues that applying a lens of targeted and purposeful empathy in a shared learning project:

• Supports learning cities as creative learning ecosystems,
• Is empowering as it focuses on human compassion and connection,
• Breaks through and down bureaucracy,
• Invites creativity and imagination.

Jac then applied the Empathy Partnership Lens to implementing a successful virtual Global Learning Festival in partnerships with the City of Melton. Jac took an action learning approach – research, plan, implement, evaluate, replan. It is not just about the project plan, but it is also about what is going on for the partners particularly in the middle of the pandemic. The festival was held in the middle of a lockdown for partners based in Melbourne, so it means being flexible, and having empathy for the personal situation of partners. Who was in lockdown? What was going on for people? What could we achieve given the short planning timeline?

Jac concluded by talking about the evaluation of the Global Learning Festival using techniques such as the Most Significant Change technique for stories and the qualitative Collective Impact Assessment Tool for measuring the strength and output of partners. This method will be used again for the second Global Learning Festival 2021 to be held in November 2021.

Jac believes that applying a Partnership Empathy lens to learning communities will contribute to global goals such as UN Sustainability goals – especially SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships). We need to add heart to our projects.

One key takeaway:
Non-traditional partnerships are vital for sustainable change and transformation for achieving UN SDGs.

To listen to the full webinar, go to https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/learning-community/learning-resources

Further References:

• Hannon, V., et al., Local Learning Esosystems: Emerging Models. 2019, WISE: Qatar Foundation: Doha. Retrieved from wise-qatar.org/app/uploads/2019/05/wise_report-rr.1.2019-web.pdf
• UNESCO UIL., Embracing a Culture of Lifelong Learning: Contributions to the Future of Education Initiative 2020. Retrieved from https://uil.unesco.org/lifelong-learning/embracing-culture-lifelong-lear...

Feature Story:
Laying the Foundation of a Learning City - Wollongong 
by Lara Pugh

The City of Wollongong is a local government area in the Illawarra region about 80km south of Sydney. Wollongong was originally inhabited by the Dharawal people and today is home to nearly a quarter of a million people of whom approximately 20% were born overseas.

Wollongong City Libraries (WCL) plays a core role in delivering on Wollongong City Council’s commitment to creating a community that is informed, engaged, creative and connected. WCL is now driving an innovative project to establish Wollongong as a Learning City; as such, it is currently addressing the three fundamental conditions for building a learning city, as per the Framework of the Key Features of Learning Cities (Figure 1) in the UNESCO Guiding Documents. At present, this involves establishing governance with lifelong learning stakeholders across the organisation to map existing resources, identify gaps and develop a draft action plan. It is understood that Wollongong City Council needs to lay the groundwork internally before going out to the community.


 

1. Strong political will and commitment
The Wollongong City Council Library and Community Services Division is fostering the political will and commitment of the Council through numerous means:

1. The Wollongong City Libraries Strategy 2017-2022 – Your library, your place sets out a clear vision to inspire reading, lifelong learning, creativity and inclusion in the community, deliverables of which include “develop and deliver training and educational programs to meet diverse community needs” (p.15).
2. The submission of a Wollongong Learning City Project Business Proposal to Wollongong City Councillors for consideration in 2020 to endorse the investigation into Wollongong becoming a Learning City.
3. The appointment of a Project Leader to develop the systems, processes and connections for establishing a Learning City.

2. Governance and participation of all stakeholders
Engagement with internal stakeholders and the establishment of a governance model is a priority for the Learning City Project in 2020-21:

1. A Learning City Internal Engagement Report was developed in 2020 in consultation with 30+ staff members across several business units. The purpose of this engagement was to establish where and how the Learning City Project fits into current and prospective scopes of work within Wollongong Council. Key findings include:

• Overall, participants were supportive of the concept of the Learning City Project; it is understood that learning (and the ability to learn) is central to achieving and maintaining social, economic and environmental sustainability within a community.
• Wollongong City Council supports lifelong learning in the community either directly through the delivery of programs through the library, Botanic Gardens and Art Gallery, to name a few, or indirectly through a variety of partnerships with community associations and non-government organisations.
• There are some obvious synergies between the Learning City Project and the Creative Wollongong 2019-2024 Plan, the Sustainable Wollongong 2030 Strategy and the Ageing Plan 2018-2022 that can be harnessed if managed well.

ii.Internal systems will be in established by June 2021 to drive the development of a Learning City Plan at both strategic and operational levels:

• A  Project Steering Committee (PSC) made up of relevant leaders within Wollongong City Council to set the strategic direction of the learning City Project.
• A  Project Control Group (PCG) comprised of internal stakeholders involved in the management or delivery of a variety of educational programs or resources.

3. Mobilisation and utilisation of resources
The Learning City PSC and PCG will utilise the Australian Learning Community Framework, the UNESCO video tutorials, the UNESCO Guiding Documents and the Collective Impact collaboration framework to scaffold the development of a Wollongong’s Learning City Plan:

1. Take stock of existing Council resources that support lifelong learning in the community, reflect on the unique challenges that remain and establish priorities for the project.
2. Identify key stakeholders in the community and develop a community engagement plan.
3. Align the goals of the Learning City Plan with other city planning goals and targets.
4. Reflect on Wollongong City Council as a learning organisation.

Develop an action plan and set clear short, medium and long-term goals for the project.

In laying a solid foundation of a learning city, Wollongong City Council is taking stock of what its already doing to support lifelong learning in the community both formally and informally; it is identifying the synergies between its emerging Learning City goals and existing strategic plans; and it is reflecting on itself as a learning organisation.

The road to becoming a learning city will be long and winding, but Wollongong is committed to driving innovation and creating a community that is informed, engaged, creative and connected. Lao Zhu said it best: the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Watch this space.
Read more about the demographic profile and learning assets of Wollongong.

Contact Lara [email protected] if you want to be part of the New South Wales ALCN network or have any feedback about this article.

Lara Pugh, Project Leader Learning City for Wollongong City Council, has been very busy learning as much as possible about developing a Learning City. To this end, Lara recently interviewed members of the LearnWest Learning Network about how they went about organising their recent Learning for Earning Festival.

Lara noted that the LearnWest Network is a community of practice for both experienced and emerging Learning Community practitioners in the Western Metropolitan Region of Melbourne, Australia.

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy, the LearnWest network came together to host a learning festival that would inspire and empower individuals across six local government areas: Melton, Wyndham, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong.

LearnWest2021: Learning for Earning Festival comprised 30 online events from 27-29 May 2021 on Learning, Employment, Career Planning and Pathways, Industries, Business and Entrepreneurship and Skills. Here are some of the events that were hosted by LearnWest partners in government agencies, small businesses, non-government organisations and education:

• Online resume help for people aged 15-25
• Women of the West – turn your side hustle or big idea into a business
• Tips and tricks for navigating your career in changing times
• Victoria police – you are more suited than you think
• Career planning and pathways in early childhood

You can download the Tips and Tricks document here.

Lara is happy to be contacted about this article and the work she is doing in implementing the learning city concept in Wollongong (email: Lara Pugh [email protected])

 

1. Brimbank City Council: Brimbank Readers and Writers Festival is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. This year it is held from 17-26 June 2021.

Cassandra Connelly, Learning Officer, Brimbank City Council reports that she is so proud to have Uncle Jack Charles join us to share his amazing story, in conversation with Paul Bateman on the opening night of the Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival. With a great line-up over ten days, there is something for everyone.
Read more about the festival and enrol here:

2. Melton City’s Learning Directory is now open for bookings for Term 3 commencing 12 July 2021. A variety of programmes is on offer – yoga, children’s art and cooking, seniors dance and exercise, walking groups as well and online learning opportunities.Read more:

3. Wyndham City Council is hosting an annual learning festival and the theme for 2021 is Re-emerge, Connect & Thrive (1-5 September 2021) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Source from Australia Policy Online:
Graham, A. and P. Sahlberg, Growing up digital Australia: phase 2 technical report. 2021: Gonski Institute for Education (UNSW). Retrieved from https://apo.org.au/node/311990

This research explores the perceptions of parents, carers and grandparents about the effects of digital media and technologies on children and youth over time.
 
Cortis, N. and M. Blaxland, Meeting community needs in difficult times: experiences of Australia’s community sector. 2021: Australian Council of Social Service. Retrieved from https://apo.org.au/node/311980
 
Articles about Work and Adult Learning

Shiohira, K., Understanding the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Skills Development. 2021, UNESCO-UNEVOC: Bonn, Germany. Retrieved from https://unevoc.unesco.org/pub/understanding_the_impact_of_ai_on_skills_development.pdf

Tasmanian Government, Adult Learning Strategy - skills for life and work 2020-2023. Department of State Growth. Retrieved here.

Articles about Healthy Cities
Morrison, N., et al., Planning shake-up needed to help those whose job it is to make NSW a healthy place. 29 April 2021, The Conversation. Retrieve here.

Research has shown where you live shapes how easy it is to make social connections, keep physically active, enjoy green spaces, and buy healthy food. This article states that a planning shake-up is needed to help those whose job it is to make NSW a healthy place.
 
Wise – Qatar Foundation - Bringing Learning Ecosystems to Life – What does it take?

Because of my previous work as Research Fellow in the UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre, the College of North Atlantic – Qatar, I was asked by Qatar Foundation: WISE to review a paper about Learning Ecosystems in Qatar. A learning ecosystem in Qatar is defined as:

Purposeful connections between diverse partners (such as schools, cultural organisations, businesses, community organizations as well as government agencies) to create new learning opportunities and equitable pathways to success for Qatar’s young people.

Local learning ecosystems is an emerging international movement, and I will keep you informed about research coming out of Qatar. In the meantime Read more here.

For further information contact:

Dr. Leone Wheeler
Hon. CEO, Australian Learning Communities

Mobile: 0456 038 236.  Email: [email protected]
ALCN website www.alcn.com.au
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