Ideas for further study and co-operation1

Group 1
The group started to design a research project by noting tensions and dilemmas, divisions and distinctions there are between the Nordic countries and between the Nordic countries and the rest of the world in the fields, levels and arenas of non-formal adult education. The relationship between the state and the civil society and an individual differs, for example. The tensions and dilemmas are seen in the requirements of competition, usefulness and utility both institutions and professionals have to fulfill in order to continue the work.

The other aspect in the non-formal adult education is the curiousness of a person and the lust, joy and happiness in the studies and practices of adult education that inspire people and bring them together.

Adult education institutions should know how to organize and formulate their way of working knowing exactly what is going on in the practice. For foundations, we would need even a new concept of humanity.

Some ways of going on further in the research project would be for example to go into these adult education institutions and study how they reflect the change of the Nordic welfare state or to go into these practices studying if there are any signs of the Nordic welfare state.

One research approach could be the professionalization within the non-formal adult education and the professional development and change of a person for example from the amateur teacher to an adult education professional could be studied. In that case, the professional struggles between the two before mentioned arenas (competition, usefulness, utility / happiness, curiousness, joy) would be interesting.

(Notes by Sini Teräsahde.)