The Discussion on Community Learning Centers at the CONFINTEA VI Mid-Term Review Conference in Swan, Focusing on the DVV International Side Event

Abstract

Three features characterized the CONFINTEA VI Mid-Term Conference. First, conference proceedings were based on GRAEL 2 and 3. Second, they were also based on three international goals that were settled in 2015. Third, they were to be connected to active civil society movements through the Civil Society Forum. After confirming these features, the paper moves on to the comments and discussions regarding ‘community learning centers’ at the conference. These are mentioned once in the written report (recommendations) of the conference and similar expressions appear in sections where the focus was on how to expand the participation of people in adult learning and education programs. This is similar to what occurred at the CONFINTEA VI. Moreover, there were lively global research exchanges at this conference about ‘adult education and community learning center’ policies and practices at the side event coordinated by DVV International.

After introducing the challenges pointed out in the Asia Pacific report, the expectations that emerged from the Latin America report, and a number of research frameworks introduced by the coordinator from DVV International, this article then looks at how these global exchanges were seen by DVV International and one of its staff members, Uwe Gartenschlaeger. They took the position that it is through these exchanges that they are challenged to reconsider the way the centers in their own countries operate. This was also suggestive of how the promotion of research and on-site practical exchanges between these centers and how transnational research on Kominkan, which would be considered one such center, could bear fruit.