ALE in Slovenia has gained a new member of the prestigious International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame: Zvonka Pangerc Pahernik, MSc, Head of the Information and Awareness-raising Unit at the SIAE.
From 7 to 9 November, Florence hosted a remarkable ALE event – the IACE HoF International Conference. The central highlight of the gathering was the formal induction ceremony for a new generation of 18 outstanding individuals whose contributions have left a significant mark on ALE.
All of us working in Slovenian ALE can be genuinely proud, first and foremost, of Zvonka, the award recipient. Additionally, the ceremony reflected the recognition and high esteem our country has earned through her work.
This award represents the highest and most prestigious honour bestowed since 1996 upon distinguished researchers, practitioners and policymakers whose work has significantly contributed to the development and visibility of ALE. It is, in essence, the “Oscars” of ALE.
To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, an individual must demonstrate outstanding achievements that have advanced the development and legacy of ALE. The Hall of Fame serves as a source of inspiration for future generations of professionals in this field.
Zvonka has been a driving force in the development of ALE in Slovenia and Europe for nearly three decades. Among her many achievements, the design and 29-year coordination of Slovenia’s most prominent national campaign for the promotion of LL – Lifelong Learning Week (LLW) – stands out. This campaign, which promotes learning across all stages of life and connects various stakeholders, has become a model for similar initiatives in other Southeast European countries and beyond.
The newest inductee into the Hall of Fame has played a significant role in shaping European ALE policies. Through her participation in numerous European working groups and committees, she has advocated for the importance of non-formal adult learning and was a key co-author of the NEAAL.
By receiving this prestigious award, Zvonka joins the ranks of leading international experts in andragogy and the only previous recipient of this honour in Slovenia, Professor Dr Ana Krajnc.
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, she shared stories and experiences that have shaped her career and life. She highlighted four keywords that have guided her nearly three decades of work in ALE: sharing, stealing, dreaming and dancing. These words, first introduced to her by Sir Alan Tuckett, have become the cornerstone of her dedication to LLW.
Among the essential individuals who have influenced her work, she mentioned Dr Zoran Jelenc, the first director of the SIAE, who is a visionary and passionate advocate for LL. She also gave special recognition to her late father, who, despite challenging life circumstances, gifted her the art of storytelling, as well as to her mother and other women in her life, who taught her perseverance, the value of learning and hard work, even in the toughest of times.
She also expressed gratitude to me as the director, to the leadership of SIAE and to all colleagues – both current and former – who have provided her with creative freedom and served as her role models. She also acknowledged Gina Ebner, Secretary-General of the EAEA, whose work at the European level served as an inspiration and for her support in building numerous friendships and professional connections across the international ALE community.
She concluded her speech by sharing a vision for the future of ALE.
Let us create spaces for meetings and opportunities for dialogue and interaction among all stakeholders in the ALE community – learners, practitioners, policymakers, academics and the media. Let this include sharing and stealing, dreaming and dancing in the broadest and most noble sense of these words.
The conference, which gathered experts from around the world to address the current challenges and opportunities in ALE, and the ceremonial award ceremony both underscored the critical role of our field as a cornerstone for sustainable societal development. Zvonka’s recognition is an extraordinary achievement for Slovenia’s adult education community and proof that Slovenian expertise and dedication can make a global impact. Florence once again became the stage for stories that inspire the world to learn, collaborate and embrace change.
Dr Nataša Potočnik (natasa.potocnik@acs.si), SIAE
