Background
Portraying UIE ’s work to the public and cultivating its local, national and international image are the main concerns of Cluster 4.It is essential that non-formal education attain political and scientific as well as general public recognition for its substantial contributions to improving the quality of life —and for this a strategic approach is necessary. The heart of this complex undertaking lies in the Documentation Centre and Library and the Publications and Information Unit of the Institute.Other vital components include UIE ’s networks such as ALADIN,its own website and special events increasing the Institute ’s overall visibility.By providing study visits and grants to researchers from developing countries whose work is usually undertaken in close connection with UIE's ongoing programs,the Institute forges alliances with specialists from all over the world in its areas of expertise (literacy, non-formal education and adult and lifelong learning).Its International Award for Literacy Research is another means to promote innovative research on the topic,especially in developing countries.The Institute ’s sponsoring of conferences and its series of research-based and informational publications as well as its involvement in numerous networks also compose significant channels for communicating with the academic and political worlds and conveying its work to the general public.
 
Activities
Training and Fellowship Programme
International Award for Literacy Research
Adult Learning Documentation and Information Network (ALADIN)

Training and Fellowship Programme

UIE's Training and Fellowship Programme responds to the needs of Member States for enhanced capacities of policy-makers, specialists, researchers and educational personnel from governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations working in the areas of literacy, non-formal education, adult learning and lifelong learning. A special focus is on implementing concepts and strategies of lifelong learning in educational programmes and projects, thus strengthening lifelong learning practices and promoting the creation and establishment of learning opportunities in the areas mentioned. Fellows are also expected to give, through their expertise in educational practice on the country level, substantial support to UIE's research and development activities and reinforce respective networks of policy-makers, researchers and practitioners.

Senior specialists from UIE's fields of expertise may enjoy the opportunity to spend a certain period at UIE and pursue their own research programme. For 2005 three fellowships are planned for a team of African experts (one from Burkina Faso, one from Kenya, one from Nigeria). They will prepare the volume on "The History of Adult Education in Africa" within the series of textbooks on Adult Education in Africa prepared by UIE in co-operation with the University of Botswana and IIZ-DVV (Germany).

Contact: Werner Mauch

International Award for Literacy Research

Calling for targeted research and analysis on the relation between adult literacy and sustainable development, the sixth cycle of the International Award for Literacy Research closed at the end of 2004. Thirteen manuscripts were presented to UIE: six from Africa (Benin, Mali, Senegal, Uganda, and two from South Africa), two from Europe (both Spain), two from Asia (both India), one from Latin America (Brazil), one from the United States, and one from a Palestinian researcher (on Palestine). Only a restricted number of the studies referred to the given thematic focus. After the manuscripts were screened, a detailed report and copies of the studies retained for final evaluation were given to the international jury (“pre-selection committee”).

The English version of the winning manuscript of the previous cycle, “Saber lo que es la letra. Una experiencia de lectoescritura con mujeres de Mixquic” by Judith Kalman, was also published (Discovering Literacy. Access Routes to Written Culture for a Group of Women in Mexico). The translation into French has been carried out, and the subsequent publication of this version is being arranged.

Contact: Bettina Bochynek


Adult Learning Documentation and Information Network (ALADIN)

To improve access to adult learning information and documentation, ALADIN continues to strengthen existing ALADIN centres. It also channels their information services into the global ALADIN website, intended to be the most comprehensive knowledge platform on adult learning. The network is also developing an ALADIN Toolkit for setting up basic documentation and information services on adult learning. Regional and national activities are supported with the aim of decentralizing ALADIN. The co-ordinator is updating ALADIN membership information, preparing the biannual Directory of Members to identify and include new members, updating the network’s website, monitoring its e-mail listserv, enlarging ALADIN's knowledge pool, carrying out public relations activities and organizing ALADIN meetings.

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Contact: Lisa Krolak