Adult Learners’ Week He Tangata Mātauranga 2017 was celebrated from the 4th to the 10th of September. This year the launch was in Wellington, at a Parliamentary Breakfast.

ACE Aotearoa kaumatua, Peter Jackson opened the proceedings with a mihi. He was followed by Tracey Shepherd, the ACE Aotearoa Tangata Tiriti co-chair who told those gathered that the Week is a UNESCO sponsored event, which is held in more than 40 countries world-wide. It is a celebration which reminds us that we are global citizens, part of a huge global movement working to empower adults and ensure they realise their potential and are able to take their rightful place in their communities, countries and in the world. In Aotearoa Adult Learners’ Week He Tangata Mātauranga is supported by the TEC and used as an opportunity to celebrate the successes and achievements of everyone participating in adult and community education, whether it’s improving literacy and numeracy, taking up more formal courses or learning for fun.

Grant Robertson MP for Wellington Central hosted the event. In his address he acknowledged the work that ACE Aotearoa has been doing on setting standards for quality adult and community education. Everyone in New Zealand, he said, has a right to quality education. This will be especially  important given the impact of technology on the future of work. If accessible and high quality lifelong learning opportunities are available we will have a resilient and adaptable population.

Tracey Shepherd then introduced five adult learners, each of whom told their story.

• April Green and Ara’s Next Steps Centre for Women
• Manjula Patel and Wellington High School’s Community Education Centre - and Literacy Wellington
• Rakky Alexander and ĀKAU
• Majed Burhan and English Language Partners
• Leah Olsen and the Porirua Whānau Centre