Adult and Community Education (ACE) Aotearoa is the lead body for adult and community educators and a voice for adult learners.

It is a dynamic, Treaty- based network of adult and community educators which actively promotes and supports the diversity of lifelong learning in Aotearoa New Zealand and fosters collaboration, co-operation and capacity building. This network of educators and providers aims to advance a learning society that is democratic, nurturing, effective, and sustainable.

ACE Aotearoa is a membership organisation which represents both its members and the wider ACE sector. It provides advocacy and direction for policy development and its implementation.

Objectives

ACE is increasingly embedded into the tertiary education landscape.

ACE Aotearoa's Strategic Objectives for 2006-2009 are:

• to Increase the advocacy role of ACE at local and national level with special focus on media and funding
• to Increase the profile and visibility of ACE
• to provide effective support for ACE Sector development through evaluation, inquiry and research
• to improve communication and collaboration within ACE Aotearoa and across the ACE sector
• to strengthen local and national collectivity and ownership of ACE Aotearoa
• to enhance the leadership role of ACE Aotearoa in the area of professional development
• to Increase the capability, sustainability and viability of ACE Aotearoa
• to cement Treaty processes into our way of working
• to manage effectively relevant projects on behalf of the sector
• to manage the day to day operations of ACE Aotearoa.

Activities

Current ACE Aotearoa activities include:

• Consulting the sector about policy issues and making submissions to government on behalf of the sector
• Organisation of an annual ACE sector conference with a focus on the sector's professional development
• Regular national strategic meetings with ACE key stakeholders
• Fostering research which supports the development of the sector
• Production of a monthly E newsletter and quarterly newsletter
• Development and maintenance of a website that is a portal for the ACE sector
• Actively supporting local capacity (branches and networks)
• On-going development of a consultation database
• National coordination of the annual Adult Learners' Week/He Tangata Mātauranga event