Since their formation, centers for adult education have an important role in adult education at local level in Slovenia and are following the practice of community education. We used the research to find out whether modern centers for adult education continue the tradition and develop community education in postmodern society of many changes. The conceptual framework of the research consists of sustainable development, community, empowerment,
resilience and non-formal education. The empirical part is a qualitative research. We gathered the data through a review of the websites of centers for adult education, interviews with some directors and an expert interview with an expert in the field of adult education. We found that they follow the principles and practices of community education. They adapt the programs locally and connect various stakeholders at the local level when they form programs. Their viability is also affected by marketability; programs adapt to market needs, which can lead to a retreat from community needs. Different sources of funding, which depend on current policies, play an important role in the formation of educational programs. Centers for adult education strive for greater local recognisability, acceptance and animate the locals for education. The most features of community education have intergenerational education programs, study clubs, Life Performance Trainings, intergenerational and multigenerational centers. All of these programs follow the principles of empowerment, resilience and community development, which will be important in the future, especially as a response to demographic challenges of
migrations and ageing, interculturalism, digitalization and sustainable development.
|
