FINLAND. Unlikely as it seemed for a long time, the adult education will get its own campaign, this time with the financing of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Preparations for the Adult Learners' Week in October are in full swing, which will feature leading vocational adult education.

The tradition that has continued in Finland since 1998 was about to end when the Adult Learners' Week was left without financing in the spring. The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy withdraw their support of around 150,000 euros in the spring. At the same time, the campaign team disbanded.

Now the themed week is being brought to life by a team that strongly emphasises vocational adult education. Clarity is being sought, especially for student and education guidance.

The conditions of professional studies

The purpose is to illustrate the whole, vast field of lifelong learning.

— Non-formal adult education still has a significant role in elevating citizens' general level of education, but also in developing work life skills. In addition to general civic skills, many language and manuals skills that further directly citizens’ employment and entrepreneurship opportunities are obtained within the general scope of this educational work, says Anni Sinnemäki, who is also known as a poet.

Non-formal adult education has not yet reached the brisk pace of the campaign. The information also reached the adult education centres and non-formal adult education organisations slowly, if at all.

“Despite inquiries, we received information about the realisation of the campaign, so we decided to do our own campaign in the beginning of October at the European Dyslexia Week. No contact has been made at any stage”, frets Airi Valkama, the Executive Director of the Finnish diverse learners’ association.

The association has been one of the main organisers of the Adult Learners' Week before.

Activity is beneficial

The project manager of the campaign, Helena Miettinen, defends herself by appealing to the schedule.

— The local events are organised by volunteers. We can’t force anyone; we can only encourage them to cooperate and bring up the issue, she states.

The continuation of the Adult Learners' Week is due to be discussed during the autumn in the Council of Lifelong Learning, which is convened by experts from the Ministry of Education and Culture

The Adult Learners' Week is organised in Finland between 18 and 24 October. The main event, Market of Possibilities, will be held in the Old Student House in Helsinki on 19 October.