This paper looks at the role that educational bodies can play in promoting social and economic innovation at a local or regional level. A locality or region promoting innovation can be called a ‘learning region’. The paper demonstrates how learning in a ‘learning region’ differs from traditional formal and individualistic learning.
In this article some key elements of regional learning networks are discussed. Based on this, a development agenda for a learning region is outlined. Some insights into the initial development of networks via dialogue setting under regional actors are provided.
The ‘learning region’ discourse emerged from the debates of the neoliberal views of socio-economic and cultural change. These views stressed the overall trends of globalisation which had to transform the traditional economic, social and cultural institutions. In opposition of these views, the ‘learning region’ discourse pointed out the importance of locality.
Subscribers will recall that the Australian Learning Communities Network held a Regional Conference in May in Townsville. I think we all agree it was a great program with lots of opportunities to develop our skills. It has taken a little while but I have now updated the webpage to include the presenters’ powerpoints as well as our report at this link; the report is also featured below for easy access.
The Chairman of the PASCAL Governing Board, Dr Josef Konvitz, issued the following statement today on the inauguration of the new program of Learning Cities Networks, a PASCAL Learning Cities 2020 project:
Printer-friendly version
