A virtual learning discussion on the topic of Family Literacy and Indigenous Learning: Perspectives from Malawi, Nepal, the Philippines, and Ethiopia was held virtually on October 19, 2020.
The webinar presented the preliminary findings from the UKRI-funded research project, ‘Family Literacy, Indigenous Learning and Sustainable Development’ which aimed to develop an alternative model of family literacy that builds on indigenous knowledge and daily learning.
Team members shared their ethnographic research on indigenous approaches to intergenerational learning in Malawi, Nepal, the Philippines and Ethiopia, and explored literacy practices relating to diverse livelihoods, religious beliefs, health, and agro-forestry.
The paper presenters were: Dr. Camila Vizconde of the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines; Mr. Abiy Menkir, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia; Dr. Sushan Acharya, Tribhuvan University, Nepal; Dr. Jean Chavula, Malawi University, Malawi; and Professor Anna Robinson Pant, University of East Anglia. The organizers of this webinar were the School of Lifelong Learning and the School of International Development of the University of East Anglia.
The UNESCO Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation at the University of East Anglia and the British Association for Literacy in Development (BALID) in the United Kingdom conducted a webinar titled, ‘COVID-19 and its impact on Adult Learning and Education’ on September 30, 2020.
This literacy discussion explored the potential effects of the pandemic to Adult Learning and Educational (ALE) programs in the contrasting and varying contexts of Afghanistan, the Philippines, Uganda, and the United Kingdom.
Drawing from the reflections that were presented, it is hoped that a better understanding of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the ALE programs, would lead to the opening up of discussions on how the academia, governments, and civil society actors could better engage their target sector with opportunities and challenges in the post-pandemic period.
The presenters were: Transformare Founding President Dr. Gina M. Lontoc, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines; Afghan National Association for Adult Education Executive Director Abdul Bashir Khaliqi, Afghanistan; English Plus Programme Director Rosie Sexton, UK; and Makerere University Center for Lifelong Learning Coordinator Willy Ngaka, Uganda.
Dr. Ian Cheffy of BALID and Professor Anna Robinson-Pant, the UNESCO Chairholder, facilitated the discussion. Transformare is a Network of Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning Advocates that was founded by Dr. Lontoc of UST.
UNESCO Chair Ph.D. Scholar Mr. Chris Millora served as the moderator in both webinars.
