Tom Schuller, Director of the Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning, writes...

Welcome to the fourth Bulletin from the Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning. The Bulletin updates you on our progress with the ten major themes of the Inquiry, along with other research and discussions we have been pursuing over the autumn – exploring ways to capture the public value of lifelong learning and analysing the impact of lifelong learning on different sectors.  It reports on the Inquiry’s visit to Northern Ireland, and describes what we aim to produce by way of interim reports in the coming months in preparation for our final report in June 2009.  The Bulletin is  available on our website: http://www.niace.org.uk/lifelonglearninginquiry/docs/IFFLBulletin4.pdf

The Inquiry will be publishing a range of interim papers over the winter, based on the evidence we have received.  Please take a look at the papers and tell us about further evidence you think we should look at.  Please send your thoughts and comments to Hanya Gordon, the Inquiry Co-ordinator at hanya.gordon@niace.org.uk

Over the winter, the Inquiry is starting to identify some emerging conclusions and to formulate elements of a strategic framework for lifelong learning.  We’ll be testing our ideas with you via our website, future Bulletins and other events.  But if you haven’t already done so, please send us your ‘top propositions’ for lifelong learning – ie the really significant proposals which would do most to make lifelong learning a reality.

And finally, do take a look at my blog, ‘Inquiring Minds’ available at www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk/blog and send me a comment.