2012 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival

The 2012 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival is an extraordinary expression of positive social inclusion through learning. With more than 400 events, and well promoted by a professional 60 page program the festival is substantial, well embedded in the community and fully embraced by the City. An innovation this year was to include a seminar on day 1, which was attended by Irish Government Minister Sean Sherlock, TD Minister of State (who commented that he had been motivated by the brain food at the seminar for government discussion), Martin Power from University of Limerick,( who shared research insights on community reactions to adult learning) and George Osborne from Hume City Council in Australia( who discussed the lessons learned from the Hume Global Learning Village). The seminar received a positive response from the audience and is set to become an annual inclusion. Festival organisers, Tina Neylon, Willie McAuliffe and Dennis Barret are already planning for the 10th anniversary festival in 2013, and I strongly commend this to you as an opportunity to observe at first hand a world class learning event!  Perhaps an opportunity for more direct involvement by PACAL and all Learning Cities?

In addition to participating in the festival, at the request of Peter Kearns, Intellectual Director PASCAL PIE, I guided a discussion with Cork City council staff regarding to concept of EcCoWell cities.

In a meeting with several council staff representing the Learning Festival, Healthy City Plans and Cork Environmental Forum and a representative from Cork University, we considered a draft paper authored by Professor Michael Osborne from Glasgow University and Peter Kearns  for nearly 2 hours, and carefully reviewed the idea of a joined up approach to these issues. Comments were made such as "this is music to my ears", and "this needs to be considered by the City Development Board". There was consensus that a more formal presentation on EcCoWell be made to the Cork Development Board (CDB), which consists of Heads of Agencies and develops the city strategic plan. Cork University may get involved through their ISS 21 unit (Institute of Social Services 21st Century). Jim Donovan a senior manager at Cork City was keen to get this on tho the CDB agenda as they are about to develop their new plan and this could be a great framework to guide their thinking. As they were so enthusiastic I took the liberty of suggesting the Michael Osborne may be well placed to visit Cork to present to the CDB, and perhaps also deliver a HGLV Forum like presentation to the Learning Community. There was great enthusiasm for this possibility and Michael has since indicated interest in following through on this possibility.

I feel there is enormous potential in Cork for further development of the Learning City, consideration of EcCoWell and planning for a significant 10th Anniversary of their most wonderful festival. I leave you with some questions to be considered -

• In a period of economic downturn and associated challenges with social inclusion, could this indeed be a "Learning Led Recovery" of community spirit for the City of Cork?!
• Does this lend strength to the proposal that the key to success in the 21st Century is the ability to learn, unlearn and relearn in a continuous cycle?
• Will you be there in 2013?

George Osborne attended the 2012 Cork Lifelong Learning Festival as a guest of the City of Cork, seeking closer relations with Hume City and the Hume Global Learning Village and sharing learnings between both.

George Osborne, Manager Economic Development          

Hume City Council, Victoria, Australia