Fourteenth Days of Slovenian Guidance Centres (ISIO centres) were held between 26 and 28 September. I am pleased to sum up some impressions of a very successful promotional event of all 17 ISIO centres.
All ISIO centres promoted adult learning and education through various events and activities. They organised more than 140 of them, some occurred before the official date, while some even after the official conclusion and several events lasted a few days or even weeks.
The main theme of the event was the presentation of guidance activities in adult education and learning opportunities. With various animation and promotional activities, free workshops and presentations, counsellors in different cities and towns tried to bring adults and students closer to education and show them the positive sides of lifelong learning. Some centres also organised professional events on various topics of guidance for employees. This year various shopping centres also allowed us free hosting in their venues.
In 2018, the ISIO Nova Gorica Centre celebrated its 15th anniversary. The professional event by which they opened the celebration, was dedicated to employers in the region and provided them with information on the possibilities of free counselling and education for their employees.
A joint newsletter Info-ISIO 2018–2019 (in Slovenian) was published, which provides readers with useful articles and tips on education: i.e. about the possibilities of enrolment in formal and non-formal educational programmes and training courses, counselling support, provided by the ISIO centres, possibilities of validation of prior knowledge, possibilities of non-formal learning and education for different groups of adults and the prospects for co-financing of education. The central part of the journal is dedicated to presenting guidance activities for employees, which ISIO centres carry out throughout Slovenia together with their partners.
This year’s event was also marked by the intensive promotional activity of all organisations participating in the ISIO centres. This was particularly reflected in social networks, which led to an increased providing of information for adults. The event was also featured in national media, while the highest number of announcements were as each year at the regional level.
The centres report a very good number of visits and visitors’ responses. With such joint events, we increase the visibility of ISIO centres in local environments through the opportunities they offer to adults, while we at the same time promote educational and learning opportunities for different groups of adults. Adults, however, have certainly been encouraged to consider the possibilities of education and learning and the benefits that this brings them.
Andreja Dobrovoljc, MSc (andreja.dobrovoljc@acs.si), SIAE
