Turkey

My experiences of Adult Learning Festivals
I joined Estonia project meeting. Although Estonia was avery small country, it made me very happy. When we went to Estonia, Tallin was European Capital of Culture 2011.I saw that Adult Education was very important for Estonian. Abondon of the people to learn impressed me. They created strong links between local authorities and adult education institutes. They provided expansion of adult education supporting each other. There is a proverb in our Turkish culture "There is no age of learning", I saw an old woman when we visited a library in Rapla. That old woman confirmed our this proverb.

I learned from my experiences
On the occasion of these festivals ,I saw that European countries were more susceptible about adult education. Estonians are able to present in adult education work more effectively. we joined an opening ceremony in Rapla.During the ceremony, I didn't understand anything, because all people were speaking Estonian language.but I understood something using body language. Every person who participating in the program was seemed very happy.I saw an interesting detail in ceremony "Estonians determined some different categories and according to categories they seperated the learning the awards "Learner of the Year, the Educator of the Year, the Education Friendly Organisation of the Year and the Education Friendly Local Government of the Year. It was a great job. Different people, different status, each difference is a richness.I would like to see the different social groups represented in the recognition ceremony in Estonia.

What will I do as a result of participating?
I will support activities of adult education ( seminars, projects....etc.) as an administrator.I will send my staffs different courses about the adult education.I will provide the spread of adult education in our province and I'll be cooperation with other institutes.

Abdullah Gokdas, Deputy Headmaster, Turkey