The Nordic way – Interview with Sturla Bjerkaker

Sturla Bjerkaker is Secretary General of the Norwegian Association for Adult Learning (VOFO in Norwegian), the national NGO umbrella for adult learning and education in Norway. He is also a Board Member of the ICAE Executive Council and a Member of the ICAE Finance Committee.

By Enrique Buchichio – ICAE

During the next ICAE VIII World Assembly to be held in Malmö, Sweden from 14 to 17 June, Sturla will act as Convenor on Theme 4: “Nordic folkeoplysning/folkbildning and worldwide challenges” (for more information on this, see the box below).
We took some time to interview Sturla Bjerkaker about his expectations towards the World Assembly and the work of ICAE but also about the state of adult education in Europe and in his country in particular.

Could you give us a glance on the state of adult education in Europe and in Norway in particular?

The European Union is about to finish its work on a program and action plan for adult learning, called “It is always a good time to learn”. A European conference for adult educators and politicians are organized in Budapest, Hungary, from 7 – 9 March to discuss the plan. The process towards this event has been going on for nearly five years. The programs supporting adult learning and education (ALE) on European level were at the same time discussed, and the programs e.g. for vocational training (Leonardo da Vinci) and adult learning and education (Grundtvig) were then – together with the programs for basic education and higher education – amalgamated into a Lifelong Learning Program. The program parts Leonardo and Grundtvig remains though as independent parts. We could say that adult learning and education in the last years has come a bit higher on the political agenda in Europe. But on the other hand we in many European countries are facing financial crises, and spending for adult learning is not the last thing to be stopped…

The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) is working systematically promoting and lobbying for adult learning throughout Europe, and has recently launched a new web service with updated information about the field in almost every European country
(see: http://eaea.hosted.phplist.com/lists/lt.php?id=ZklXAgBIAQdPCg%3D%3D)

Norway adopted in 2009 a new law for adult education and learning, coming into action from 2010. The new law replaced the “first adult education act in the world” from 1976, and is first and foremost a law for the NGO-based study associations (some of them member of ICAE) and the distance education institutions. The law set up rules and regulations for adult education activities in the non-formal sector and has rules for the public spending to study circles, etc. The new rules are satisfactory in itself, but the public spending has stagnated. The participation in this form of adult education has decreased in Norway in the last years, but has now begun to rice a little bit again. The main discussion on ALE in Norway – as in many other countries – is dominated by instrumental thinking.
What are the goals for the Norwegian Association for Adult Learning in 2011?

Our goals are to promote ALE in the non-formal sector and to promote and advocate for better conditions, rules and public spending for the field. We also wish to emphasize international cooperation with a few international projects and remain to be an active member of ICAE. Basic skills are a big issue in Norway, and also for the Association, and we wish to support our members in their work for basic skills, teacher training and quality work. We are still running annually an Adult Learner’s Week.
How is your perspective on the follow-up process after CONFINTEA VI?

We have a dialogue with the Norwegian UNESCO commission and the Ministry of Education and the Nordic Network for Adult Education about this, but we have not come far enough with the follow up work.

As a member of the ICAE Executive Committee (EC), how is your evaluation on the work of ICAE in the last few years?

My opinion is that ICAE is doing more work than the financial situation “allows” us to do. The Secretariat is very competent, doing more that we could expect. Some of the members of the EC are active, but I should really hope that more members could be active. I regret that it has not been possible to come up – so far – with an agreed proposal for a new constitution, as the old one is really “old” and out of fashion.

What are your expectations regarding the next ICAE World Assembly in June?

The World Assembly will be great! I am looking very much forward to it, and I am very exited about how many will come and how many will join “my” themes about the Nordic methods and traditions in ALE and their possible impact on the global challenges. For the General Assembly I hope for good discussions, good plans, securing of the economy and the election of a good new EC which is able to work together in a balanced way.

BOX:

An introduction to Nordic folkbildning

The Nordic term “folkeopplysning”

(Danish/Norwegian) or the Swedish synonym “folkbildning” is close to “liberal education and learning”, “popular learning”, “popular education” and “community learning” but has also its special characteristics.

Scandinavia has a more than 150 years tradition of folkeoplysning/folkbildning. From the start of the folk high school movement in Denmark in the 1840th through the “invention” of the Study Circle in Swedish labour and temperance movements in the very beginning of the 20th century (1902) it is possible to follow a line up to our days where the development of democracy goes hand in hand with learning and enlightenment.

Because of this connection, many parts of the world have through the years showed interest in “Nordic folkeopysning/folkbildning”. That is why, when ICAE comes to Scandinavia in June, the concept “Nordic folkeoplysning/folkbildning and worldwide challenges” will be elaborated further in cooperation between Nordic colleagues, practitioners, researchers and others in several seminars and workshops.

For more information see Themes here