The Days of Pedagogy and Andragogy (Programme – in Slovenian) organised by the Department of Educational Sciences of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, marked the 100th anniversary of the study of pedagogy in Slovenia which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Arts. The ceremony, held on 29 March in City Hotel Ljubljana, brought together professional communities of employees and retired professors, graduates, doctoral programme students, students, researchers and expert associates working in the areas of pedagogy and AE.
The introductory address given by Dr Nives Ličen, Head of the Department of Educational Sciences, highlighted the fact that we are actually privileged to be living at the time of this milestone and are able to witness this venerable jubilee. We celebrate it with the knowledge that we must connect and engage even more in the future.
The attendees were addressed by the Vice-Rector of the University of Ljubljana, Dr Barbara Novak, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr Roman Kuhar.
Deans of three Slovenian faculties of education shared their personal views of the study of pedagogy that moulded their professional careers: Dr Milena Ivanuš Grmek, Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Maribor, Dr Janez Vogrinc, Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Ljubljana, and Dr Mara Cotič, Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska.
Afterwards, retired professors took the stage and gave video and audio presentations in which they fondly glanced back at their own study of pedagogy and their work. Students gave innovative presentations on the work and professional careers of seventeen pedagogy and adult education graduates whom they got to know in their workplace, among others at the SIAE. They perform truly diverse work: they conduct social activation programmes, organise education and training courses, provide quality educational programmes for adults, lead various institutions, primary schools, Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana, and also counsel young people and adults alike. They additionally conduct adult health promotion programmes and many more.
The organisers’ programmes state that they wish that everyone’s voice could be heard. The words of the representatives of the Society of Adult Education and Pedagogy Students certainly did not fall on deaf ears. Their performance entitled Study: Instructions for Use, was a veritable crowd-pleaser. They outlined quite a few dilemmas they are facing: Recipes or reflections? Opinion or knowledge? Sensitivity to social inequality? Mandatory attendance or survival? How and how much do we read? … and they came to the conclusion that they would not settle for the easy way out. They are opposed to any type of study that is non-demanding or is even fun and does not develop critical thinking. This is why one needs to take the time to read and write (in the order that suits him or her).
The final two hours of the programme were devoted to a round table. The round table participants included, Dr Mojca Peček Čuk from the Faculty of Education of the University of Ljubljana, Dr Edvard Protner from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Maribor, and Dr Sonja Rutar and Dr Maja Mezgec from the Faculty of Education of the University of Primorska. The moderator, Dr Robi Kroflič from the Faculty of Arts in Ljubljana, encouraged the participants to present their experience with the study of pedagogy and to share which professors left the biggest impression on them. They also deliberated on the place pedagogy holds as a scientific discipline in the institutions in which they work, and on the development of the fundamental fields of pedagogy and adult education. They also devoted time on the consideration of the challenges. One of these is certainly the development of Slovenian professional terminology.
The celebration programme was skilfully tied together by ladies from various generations, with individual content sets being beautifully introduced through musical and dance performances given mainly by pedagogy and AE graduates. It was truly a pleasant affair – festive, but relaxed.
Several events are organised to mark the centenary of pedagogy in Slovenia: a round table on the importance of pedagogy for consulting work in kindergartens and schools, was held in May, a debate cafe at the Trubar Literature House to be held in September will be devoted to a discussion on the building of an inclusive community through education and learning.
The 2020 Day of Pedagogy and Andragogy will be organised in the traditional “winter term”, i.e. in January. The consultation will be devoted to the consideration of pedagogy and AE in the digital age.
Nevenka Kocijančič (nevenka.kocijancic@acs.si), SIAE
