UNESCO Irish Network of Learning Cities
Learning Together, Learning Communities, Learning Neighbourhoods
Learning Limerick took part in an engaging seminar on Tuesday 12th May in Croke Park Conference Centre, an event hosted by the Irish Network of Learning Cities. The seminar brought together different learning communities and neighbourhoods from the various cities in the network. Three representatives travelled from Limerick, Lifelong Learning Facilitator Yvonne Lane, Mary Hughes of Limerick City Partnership (Empowering Communities) who also sits on the Festival Organising Committee and our former Learning Limerick Chairperson Eimear Brophy, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. We had the opportunity to share inspiring stories of how local initiatives have been developed to promote lifelong learning and stronger, more connected communities.
Our MC for the afternoon was Denis Barrett, Cork Learning City Coordinator. There was an opening address by Blake Hodkinson, Director of Further Education and Training with City of Dublin ETB.
There were two fireside chats. The first panel included the Dublin Gateway Project, Cork Dillon’s Cross Project, Eastside Learning in Belfast, Larchville-Lisduggan Learning Neighbourhood in Waterford and the Waterside Project from the Northwestern Learning Region. Their discussions explored how lifelong learning is being embedded at community level across different cities and contexts. The contributors shared different models and approaches. This really highlighted that there is no single blueprint and a value in learning from diversity of practice. Two learners also shared their powerful impact stories, reminding us of all of the importance of this work.
The second fireside chat had representatives from Dublin 10 Learning Neighbourhood, Limerick City Partnership – Empowering Communities, Belfast Learning City and Cork Learning Neighbourhoods. It was moderated by Mary Maher from North Inner City Learning Neighbourhood in Dublin. Insightful reflections were shared during this discussion. Mary Hughes spoke about working in partnership with communities to build place-based lifelong learning approaches and reminded us of key community principles and supporting people to do it themselves. Indeed, we are fortunate in Limerick to have very strong networks.
Some of the challenges encountered by the panel members were shared and advice for growing and sustaining lifelong learning in communities. The contributions also touched on what has been critical to their long-term success; mentioning the need to work with the assets that are already there and a recommendation to be as inclusive as possible.
There were two presentations of heartfelt appreciation toward the close of the afternoon, the first to Eimear Brophy, as she has stepped down from her Chair of Learning Limerick position and will not be in a position to attend as many Irish Network events going forward. Fortunately for us, Eimear still remains on Learning Limerick as a core member of the Steering Group. The second presentation was for Mary Maher, of Dublin Adult Learning Centre who is retiring and will be handing over the reins for supporting the North Inner-City Learning Neighbourhood in Dublin.
The Dillon’s Cross Choir sang us out, and we all joined in a powerful rendition of ‘Lean on Me’. The entire programme for the afternoon was a wonderful sharing and celebration of learning in our communities. There were lots of connections made and ideas for collaborative projects begun.
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