Adult Learning Wales and the Welsh Centre for International Affairs have announced an exciting new partnership that seeks to extend adult learning opportunities across Wales and to promote global learning. The partnership will be officially announced with an online launch event this Friday, September 27, 12-1pm.

Both ALW and WCIA have committed to both develop and create learning opportunities, and provide resources around Peace Education and Global Citizenship Education. The three main focus areas of the partnership are based on:

Curriculum and Resource Development: to co-develop and produce post-16 Peace Education resources and learning activities, and for ALW to encourage its delivery staff to embed Peace Education resources into delivery programmes.

Learner Involvement: to engage ALW learners and WCIA stakeholders in the co-production of Global Learning resources and learning activities as well as promoting WCIA voluntary opportunities to ALW learners. There will also be further work on developing advocacy opportunities for learners to campaign and act as Peace Education advocates.

Staff Development: to explore opportunities for ALW to support WCIA staff and volunteers with professional learning, and for ALW to develop and deliver a Peace Education awareness raising programme for its delivery and curriculum staff.

Peace education encompasses a broad range of concepts aimed at fostering understanding, tolerance and the skills required to resolve conflicts. It encourages individuals to engage in critical thinking, empathetic communication, and collaborative problem-solving. While it is often introduced in schools, its incorporation into adult learning is equally vital. Adult learners bring a diverse range of experiences, beliefs, and values to the learning environment. Peace education provides a platform for these individuals to confront biases, pre-conceived notions, and stereotypes they might hold. Through reflective exercises and open dialogue, learners can explore their personal prejudices and challenge them in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

The Peace Education pilot programme was launched in September 2023 at the Quaker House in Llandrindod Wells.

Leading this for ALW is Tamara Garnault, who is looking forward to developing the partnership with WCIA:

“Working in partnership with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, the programme aims to develop the personal skills and explore the values and behaviours which contribute to building inner peace, interpersonal peace and building peaceful communities. This pilot will also explore peace equality, climate justice, peace heritage and Wales as a peaceful nation. Supporting the four purposes of Curriculum for Wales and many of the themes of the Well-being of Future Generations Act, this pilot also provides a launchpad for the development of Peace Education across the adult learning sector.”

The WCIA is a charity that inspires people in Wales to learn about and act on global issues. Their vision is a Wales where everyone contributes to creating a fairer and more peaceful world. At the foundation of their work is global learning – supporting people of all ages in Wales to develop as active global citizens through peace and global citizenship education.

WCIA trustee Sara Whittam said:

“We recognise that our organisations have many synergies and shared values. By working more closely together, we have the potential to extend our respective reach to adult learners in Wales and provide further quality learning opportunities for adult learners.”

“We’ve been delivering this work in schools for decades, helping to build the next generation of peacebuilders, changemakers and internationalists. The partnership with Adult Learning Wales came at a fantastic time as we sought to expand our global citizenship and peace education work to include adults as well as young people. Our first major project together, to develop and pilot a peace education programme for adults, has been incredibly exciting and had very promising results.”

“We ultimately want every person in Wales to have a global learning opportunity, so they can share their views and take action on the issues they care the most about. The partnership with Adult Learning Wales gives us a great opportunity to drive this forward together.”

The online launch event will be a fantastic opportunity to hear more about the partnership between ALW and WCIA, and their forthcoming plans. A number of guest speakers from both organisations have already been confirmed including ALW’s Chief Executive Kathryn Robson, WCIA Peace Education Manager Jane Harries and WCIA Co-Chair Sara Whittam, with more guest speakers to be announced soon. The event will be streamed for free and is open to anyone interested in discovering more. To book your place for the event, follow the link here.