The historical contribution of AVE to social sustainability in Australia
Date
2009
Authors
Harris, R.
Editors
Willis, P.
McKenzie, S.
Harris, R.
McKenzie, S.
Harris, R.
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Book chapter
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Source details - Title: Rethinking work and learning: adult and vocational education for social sustainability, 2009 / Willis, P., McKenzie, S., Harris, R. (ed./s), vol.9, Ch.4, pp.45-61
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Abstract
The International Experts Meeting on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Bonn in October 2004 claimed that TVET was “a most effective means for society to develop its members’ potentials to respond to the challenges of the future,” yet “not much information and documentation on TVET for sustainable development is currently available.” In this chapter I begin with the assumption that this claim is particularly applicable to the third pillar of sustainable development—social sustainability—and I set out to explore historically the contribution of AVE (defined here as embracing activities in what are now known as the VET and ACE sectors) to social sustainability in Australia. I argue that the contribution of adult and vocational education (AVE) has been largely submerged and invisible, and thus neglected, under-resourced, and under-valued. Economic interests, except for a few moments in Australia’s history, have always been afforded precedence over social concerns. Nevertheless, AVE has continued to play an important role in promoting social sustainability. I outline the role played by various AVE agencies over the years, highlight several key initiatives particularly in the second half of the twentieth century, and then analyze eight main contributions to social sustainability.
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Copyright 2009 Springer Science+Business Media