In the past year, we celebrated 100 years of the first AECs operation in Slovenia. The monograph The Century of Knowledge, published by the Association of Slovenian AECs, provides an overview of the journey taken by adult education centres and indicates the path we would like to tread in the future.
AECs have been adapting to the needs of the market and the local population over the years. We live in a rapidly changing world, where digitalisation propels us into fast-paced transformations, and many adults, especially older people, struggle to keep up with this flow. Therefore, lifelong learning is more important than ever.
With their remarkable tradition, AECs have made an invaluable contribution to expanding the horizons of many residents of Slovenia. In the past, they have significantly contributed to the development of ALE and shaping adult education practices. Today, with their rich content, they enable the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills to achieve professional and personal goals for our people.
The monograph is divided into three parts. The first part, titled Developmental Steps: Setting the Wheels in Motion, describes their developmental journey. From the first three AECs in Celje, Maribor and Jesenice, the number has grown to 78 AECs or workers’ universities over the years, and now there are 35. The needs of the market and the local population vary. In the past, workers’ universities offered programmes for upbringing, homemakers and political parties, but today we pay more attention to various competencies, personal growth, a healthy lifestyle and digital literacy.
In the second part, titled Current Challenges: The Wheels Keep Turning, the authors reflect on the most significant challenges of modern times, such as sustainable development, digitalisation of society, longevity, societal and individual adaptability and interculturality. Colleagues from AECs and the SIAE present their perspectives, approaches and issues they face, highlighting the most innovative practices oriented towards the future.
The third part of the monograph, titled Desires for the Future: Driving the Wheels Forward, focuses on questions about ALE. In this section, experts from practice, students of andragogy at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, and directors of adult education centres share their insights. They also sought mayors’ views on the operation of AECs and analysed their opinions.
The monograph The Century of Knowledge is available in Slovenian in electronic format.
Aleksandra Janežič (aleksandra.janezic@zlus.si), Association of Slovenian Adult Education Centres
