Conference the "Role of Adult Learning and Education (ALE) in Kosovo"

On 14 December 2022, the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V. - DVV), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) in Kosovo, organized the conference entitled "The Role of Adult Learning Education (ALE) in Kosovo", and the members of the ALE-NK Network organised activities promoting adult education in Kosovo under the motto "Open doors for Adult Education in Kosovo" on 15 December 2022.

The Conference “The Role of Adult Learning and Education (ALE) in Kosovo” was held in Emerald Hotel in Pristina and was attended by 90 people, representatives of state institution, civil society organizations, state and non-state ALE organizations.

The conference laid a special emphasis on the role of adult life-long learning and education (ALE) as a key component of lifelong learning, which seems to be pivotal in this regard.

ALE plays a key role in establishing human responses based on human rights, democratic societies, ethical principles, mobilization of collective intelligence and an open dialogue informed by interdisciplinary knowledge.

The conference presented and discussed successful experiences in promoting ALE, by promoting the member organisations of the Adult Learning and Education Network in Kosovo (ALE-NK) and their cooperation with other providers and national and local ALE authorities in Kosovo. Accordingly, there was a joint call on the role and importance of ALE in the development of a joint national and local agenda for ALE and inclusion of other members in ALE-NK.

The conference was a whole day event, full of plenaries with expert input, facilitated by Ms. Ryve Prekorogja, with a first keynote speech held by the Minister of Education, Ms. Arbërie Nagavci. The same expressed her personal support and appreciation of the institution that she is leading for the contribution in the adult education in Kosovo.

The conference continued with a presentation by Mr. Ramadan Alija, Director of DVV International in Kosovo, and presentations by representatives of member organizations of ALE-NK (Adult Learning and Education Network in Kosovo), namely: Mrs. Ryve Prekorogja from MESTI, Mrs. Jehona Namani Rexha, Director of the Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Fikrije Zymberi, Acting General Director of AVETAE, Mr. Petrit Tahiri, Director of Kosovo Education Centre (KEC), Mr. Bajrush Kosumi, representative of Hareja Youth Center in Vushtrri/Vučitrn.

Mr. Naser Zabeli from the University of Pristina and Mr. Ali Bajgora from the European College in Kosovo also participated and made presentations at the conference.

All the speakers have and continue to provide their contribution to the promotion and continuous development of adult education in Kosovo.

The conference will further serve as a communication platform for participants from the member ALE NK organizations to further share their achievements and challenges in the development of and advocacy for ALE at national and local levels.

"Open doors for adult education in Kosovo" – 15 December 2022

Under the motto “Open doors for adult education in Kosovo”, ALE-NK member organisations opened their doors to visitors (adult people) from different towns and regions of Kosovo, who had the opportunity to become closely acquainted with the offers and programs of ALE-NK member organisations for adult education.

The activities of the day were carried out in the premises of the Shtjefën Gjeçovi Competence Centre (CC) in Pristina, CC in Prizren, 11 March CC in Prizren, Employment Agency of the Republic of Kosovo (EARK), Hareja Youth Centre in Vushtrri/ Vučitrn, European College of Kosovo (ECK) and Kosovo Education Centre (KEC).

Activities included presentations of educational profiles for adult education, brochures, photos and images of working process, student works, promotion of adult education services in three VTCs and organisation of a debuting online roundtable on “Online Adult Education and Relation to Labour Market”, a round table involving a discussion with the beneficiaries of KEC projects on career orientation and soft skills and other activities.

All the activities were organised by ALE-NK member organisations themselves, with the support of the DVV International.