ACE Forum Chch
Connecting Adult and Community Education and Learning Across Otautahi / Christchurch
April 2015 Newsletter #2 aceforumchch.wordpress.com
[email protected]
ACE Hui Fono 2015 - Otautahi resets the Bar!!
by Sam U’tai
ACE hosted this years 2015 Hui/Fono in Christchurch at the CPIT, with the help
of the local Otautahi Pasefika ACE Network.
3 days of networking, workshops and a collective think tank of Maori and Pacific
Community, Educators and Business leaders met to inspire and be inspired.
This years theme Scaffolding the Future was an opportunity to for an amazing
range of speakers, presenters and participants to meet, learn, grow, develop, be
challenged, be amazed and have lots of fun!
The theme explores the importance of intergenerational lifelong learning for
Māori and Pasifika in ACE and the role of elders and youth in the transmission
of knowledge. The theme encourages reflection on how this knowledge builds
a bridge between the generations and impacts positively on whānau and
communities through leadership development, authentic Māori and Pasifika
storytelling and narrative, and the emergence of a unique Pacific identity which
draws on the ‘nesian’ experience.
To get a feel of what happened go to this link…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX_YqbSl_kU&feature=youtu.be
Keynote speakers included our very own locals;
Dr Catherine Savage (Ngāi Tahu) (Ed.D), Director, Ihi Research & Development.
Riki Welsh & Josiah Tualamalii - Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation
(PYLAT) – Who will be presenting a workshop at Conference later this year and
our youngest Keynote speakers to date.
Hana O’Regan is the Kaiārahi – Director Māori & Pasifika and Director Student
Services at CPIT
We really enjoyed the collaboration, challenges and connection of being part of
the organising crew and have had feedback that suggests everyone had a great
time!
Vinaka vaka levu, Malo aupito, Fakaaue lahi, Meitaki maata, Fa’afetai tele lava,
Kia ora koutou katoa!
First ACE Forum- a Succes
It was great to hear from the Neighbourhood Trust at the Forum in February about the excellent work they are doing.
There was good discussion as a Forum about pathways and how the ACE Forum could work more effectively locally
for those that they connect with to make progression and transition easier. This could be a real area of collaboration for
the forum in the future. John Gates spoke to us from Wales about the importance of learner participation at a local college and programme / course level and from an international perspective. Feedback was positive and we look forward
to seeing you all at our next forum in May.
ACE Dates
21st May 2015 - ACE Forum Christchurch
7.30 - 9.00am at Waipuna Youth and Child
services. 349 Woodham Road Avonside
Christchurch 8061.
16-18th June - Adult and Community Education
Conference Wellington.
For more information visit
http://www.aceaotearoa.org.nz/events/conference
27th August 2015 - Ace Forum Christchurch
7.30 - 9.00am Venue TBC.
Canterbury WEA celebrates 100 years - Margaret Lovell-Smith tells us more..
WEA launches centenary year with four days of celebrations Four days of colourful and memorable celebrations marked the centenary of
the Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) in March. Starting with the launch of the association’s centennial history The
People’s University, on 4 March and finishing with a dinner, the celebrations involved many of WEA’s current participants and reflected
the diverse range of the WEA’s reach into the community.
The involvement of mana whenua in a powhiri to launch the centenary celebrations was particularly valued by the WEA Council and
members. Irihapeti Bullmore (Ngai Tuahuriri, Ngai Tahu) opened the ceremony with the karanga. Bill Karaitiana (Ngai Tuahuriri, Ngai
Tahu) followed with introductory words in Maori and English, and then the Multicultural Advisor of the Christchurch City Council
George Patena (Tuwharetoa) replied on behalf of the Mayor Lianne Dalziel. The mayor was then invited to launch The People’s University, which had been written by Dunedin historian Ian Dougherty, commissioned by the WEA, and published by Canterbury University
Press. The publication of the history – an attractively produced, and comprehensive book, with numerous illustrations - was the culmination of ten years of planning and preparation. The day after the launch about 20 people gathered for a two-hour seminar when Ian Dougherty used illustrations from the book to speak about some of the highlights of the WEA’s history. ‘Community Night’ on 5 March gave
a glimpse into the diverse activities of the many groups
that use the WEA rooms for their gatherings. Those who
ACE Forum May 21st 2015
attended learned about the activities of philosophical,
environmental, political, and musical groups who all meet
Join us for Breakfast 7.30 - 9.00am
at the WEA on a regular basis. A shared lunch on 6 March
was an opportunity for the WEA Outdoor Painting and
at Waipuna Youth and Child service
349 Woodham Road Avonside Christchurch 8061
Field clubs to talk about their activities; the North West
Branch which meets weekly at Bishopdale was also repre(Please bring gold coin donation for light breakfast)
sented and the WEA singing class provided some musical
entertainment. A centenary cake was cut by the WEA’s
Update on ACE forum Christchurch and plans for 2015
most senior tutor, Helen Hogan. The WEA also took the
Update on Community Based Learning Initiatives awards
opportunity to unveil a plaque and dedicate one of its
teaching rooms to Allen Dingwall, a former WEA student
Rosie Levi and April Green - Will give us an update and review of the
who later served as President and made a major contribuNational ACE Hui Fono that took place in March in Chch
tion to the ongoing success of the organisation.
Hagley Community College was the venue for the CenteMarion Bowl - Marion will join us via a video interview talking
nary Dinner on 7 March. The after dinner speaker and a
about her new book - Adult education in changing times - Policies,
philosophies and professionalism.
former active member of the WEA, Garry Moore, delved
into the WEA’s history to provide some challenging pointPaddy Pawson - Paddy is the lead of community development at
ers for the future of the organisation. Other speakers who
Waipuna with a long background in working with young people and
proposed toasts to the pioneers and the future of the WEA,
their development. Paddy will share what Waipuna are doing in the
provided some alternative perspectives. Historical photos
ACE space.
and displays brought back memories for many of those
Please RSVP to [email protected] for catering
purposes.
who attended.