Adult and Community Education conference in the Aviva Stadium

Adult and Community Education Conference: Deepening Impact, Fostering Inclusion, Shaping Practice

The City of Dublin FET College Adult & Community Education Conference brought together over 200 educators, community partners, and policy makers to explore how Adult and Community Education strengthens our communities, promotes inclusion, and shapes a more equitable city.

The event opened with a welcome and address from Christy Duffy, Chief Executive, City of Dublin ETB, who highlighted the transformative power of community education in Dublin City.Professor Lyn Tett (University of Edinburgh) delivered an inspiring keynote on “The Benefits of Community-based Adult Learning and its Role in Promoting Social Justice”, setting the tone for a day of reflection, dialogue, and collaboration.The conference also saw the launch of the Reach Fund Impact Report by Maria Walshe, Executive Director (acting) at SOLAS, followed by a panel discussion on the Impact of the Reach Fund in Dublin City.A further highlight was Amel Yacef’s presentation, “Adult Education in Challenging Times: Reconnecting with our Values”, which encouraged participants to reaffirm the shared values that underpin inclusive, community-based learning.

Throughout the morning, educators and community organisations engaged in practical workshops, shared innovative approaches, and strengthened connections across the sector. The day celebrated the achievements of practitioners and reaffirmed the vital role of Adult and Community Education in building a fairer, more inclusive Dublin.