Date: 2 October 2009, 9.30am - 4.00pm

Venue: The Mitchell Library, Glasgow , Scotland

These are just some of the questions which will be a point of discussion at conference on the theme of 'Skills for Social Justice' , which will be run in partnership with the Open University. We will aim to show participants the value of providing education that develops confidence and helps people take their first steps back into a lifetime of learning, rather than courses narrowly aimed at achieving vocational qualifications. The event will be of particular interest to all those working in the Learning and Skills sector.

The day will include:

• Opening address: Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning in the Scottish Parliament.
• Keynote Speaker: Willy Roe, Chair of Skills Development Scotland and a Commissioner on the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
• Question and answer session with speakers
• Panel session
• Choice of parallel sessions

Attendees will be able to attend two of the parallel sessions - a form to choose will be sent ahead of the day. Below is a taster of what we hope will be available:

• Family Learning: parenting skills courses run by WEA around the country
• Adult Literacy and Numeracy: 25% of adults don't have the skills needed to fulfil their roles asworkers, family members and citizens - find out about the courses WEA Scotland runs to help
• Health and wellbeing courses run by the WEA in the West Midlands
• Open University Openings courses, run in rural Scotland
• Workplace Learning: the WEA's work in partnership with trade unions including UNISON
• Education and The Co-op
• Heritage and cultural studies
• Social history learning through political song

Friday Conference Reception and Dinner

An opportunity to come together for an evening of society and entertainment with friends and colleagues from across the sector and the WEA. We begin with a Civic Hospitality Drinks Reception in the Mitchell Library's spectacular Main Hall, followed by dinner and entertainment including an after-dinner speaker and a traditional Scottish cèilidh. A late evening bar will be available.

Venue

The Conference will be held at the Mitchell Library, in Glasgow , a venue with strong historical and educational links. The Mitchell Library is an important part of Glasgow 's heritage, and remains the hub of a citywide library and service to this day. It holds the largest public reference library in Europe , with 1,213,000 volumes, and contains the Glasgow City Archives and collections

If you are interested in attending the conference, please fill in the form here.

WEA Association Conference

Saturday 3rd October Time: 9.00am - 4.00pm Also held at the Mitchell Library will be the WEA's Association Conference on Saturday 3 rd October. Conference is held every two years and consists of a full day to conduct the formal business of the WEA, where voting delegates representing WEA branches, regions and affiliates make decisions on motions and resolutions proposed to conference and elect the Officers of the WEA. Non-voting guests are also welcome to attend. The day will include: Debate on Motions proposed to Conference by WEA branches, regions and local associations Reports, and questions and answers, on WEA's work since the 2007 Conference, including the Trustees' Report and a vote on its acceptance Elections for one Deputy President position and the position of Honorary Treasurer Minutes of Conference 2007 Standing Orders Committee Report Extraordinary Conference of unincorporated WEA (primarily to ensure legacies left to the WEA are able to be used as intended since the WEA incorporated and therefore changed charity number)

Application Form

Please fill in the form below to register your interest in attending the conferences - we will be in touch to confirm your place and organise payment.