The Ōtautahi ACE Network ran events during the Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga 2023.
It was a warm spring night in Ōtautahi when a group of adult learners from across the city came together to celebrate and share their ‘Why’. As part of Festival of Adult Learning Ahurei Ākonga, the Canterbury Workers Educational Association (WEA) hosted a festival event, coordinated by Canterbury WEA Director Lottie Vinson, Group Service Lead with SkillWise Frank Manzano and Jennifer Leahy of Ako Aotearoa.
My Learning Why – Tōku Akoranga, he aha āi? – enabled the sharing of why adult education holds such importance to so many in the community. The event was a celebration of learner success, providing the opportunity to raise the profile of community education and share the benefits among a diverse group.
“Every learner has a unique ‘why’ behind their learning journeys. Whether it's a personal passion, a career aspiration, or a desire for personal growth. Understanding each learner’s ‘why’ is key to unlocking their full potential,” says Frank.
As part of the programme, the ACE in Ōtautahi network invited learners to share their ‘why’ in a series of short videos that were shared on Facebook. The video reels featured learners from Cuba to the Ukraine, Bhutan to Khalistan providing an insightful look into why learners learn.
Keri from the Christchurch City Mission Education programme said that “learning teaches me how to be unstuck, from being stuck, and my kids can see that”.
The ‘why’ for Atsuko from Japan, who is studying at the Hagley Adult Literacy Centre, is all about learning English. After finishing her role in a souvenir shop, she was looking for an opportunity that enabled her to continue with her journey and she enjoys the conversations she now has with fellow learners.
Helen is learning pottery at Risingholme Learning and says her ‘why’ is about finding a social outlet, learning new skills, slowing down and meeting new people.
MP for Christchurch East, Poto Williams, says her ‘why’ is about keeping up with new ideas and continuing to grow, and Maatakiwi Wakefield, Kaitakawaenga Māori from Christchurch City Libraries says her ‘why’ is about broadening her mind.
“No matter how old I get, there’s always something new to learn.”
The Facebook videos were collated into a highlights’ reel, shown at the launch event and learners received Festival of Adult Learning Outstanding Adult Learner certificates.
The celebration also enabled guests to share kai and network. It was a memorable event with MC Tai Samaeli summing up the universal why – because it creates, in the words of a learner, “a happy life”.