Meeting Notes | Connecting Urban and Rural Learning Initiatives - 4 May, 2021

The third meeting of the Urban and Rural Learning Initiatives featured a presentation from Professor Idowu Biao, Professor of Lifelong Learning, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin, about Rural-Urban Migration and its Implication for Learning in Cities: the Case Study of Benin.

Attendees:

Professor Norman Walzer, Professor Emeritus, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs; USA; Professor Mike Osborne, Dr Rob Marks, and Dr Margaret Sutherland, Glasgow University, UK; Max Eastcott, CEO, Gwydir Shire Council, NSW, Australia; Professor Idowu Biao, Université d’Abomey Calavi, BENIN, Cotonou;  Dr Annalisa L Raymer, Lifelong Learning and Leadership, Cornell University, New York, USA; Professor Marius Venter, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Ms Cobina Crawford, Shire of Halls Creek, Western Australia; Ms Ava Ter, International Development student, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia.

Facilitator: Dr. Leone Wheeler, Hon. CEO ALCN, Australia;

Apologies:

Ms Michele Murphy, Learning Region Coordinator, Derry City and Strabane Region Learning City, Ireland. Ms Elena Kazyro, Information Director, Zelva District Institution of Sustainable Regional Development and Ms Natallia Glusenia, Zelva District, Belarus Dr Gideon Baffoe, Research Fellow, University of Glasgow. Mr Andrei Rutkevich, Project Manager, Learning Cities and Organizations (LCaO) Program, DVV International, Belarus

General Discussion:

Leone Wheeler invited Ms Cobina Crawford, Manager Community Governance, Advocacy and Enterprise, Shire of Halls Creek to join the group. The Shire of Halls Creek is considered a ‘very remote’ community in the Kimberley. Ms Crawford reported that the land area of the Shire of Halls Creek is bigger than Greece! Ninety percent of the population is of Aboriginal descent with the predominant languages being Kimberley Kriol and/or Gija, Jaru, Kukatja, Gooniyandi and/or Walmajarri.

There was a discussion about the term ‘Men’s Sheds’ from the notes of the previous meeting. Professor Rob Marks outlined the history of the Men’s Sheds movement, which started in Australia, and has now an international movement. Resources were shared and it was decided that it would be exploring this topic later in the year.

Professor Marius Venter, Director of the Centre of Local and Economic Development, University of Johannesburg, noted that his Centre is compiling a proposal for a scholarly book on case studies in local economic development. Interested parties to submit a 300-word abstract to Professor Venter by 31 May, [email protected].

Presentation by Professor Idowu Biao, Professor of Lifelong Learning, Université d’Abomey Calavi, Benin, about Rural-Urban Migration and its Implication for Learning in Cities: the Case Study of Benin [see below]

Professor Biao’s biography: http://lcn.pascalobservatory.org/users/idowu-biao

Professor Biao’s presentation was very well received. The types of migration (international and in-country migration); and the patterns of migration (rural-urban; rural-rural; and urban-urban) were defined, as well as providing a theoretical framework for sustainable development, and background to rural-urban migration in Benin. The key points that I noted were that while there has been continuous urbanisation since the 1960s, as of 2019, 52% of the population still lived in rural areas. There was what Professor Biao termed a “youth troop” to the city and therefore sustainable development was focused on the types of training those who migrate should get involved in. Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is important in three areas: literacy, entrepreneurial education, and general TVET. There is a need to understand the new industries and to ensure a matching of training to jobs. Refer to the attached presentation.

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Tuesday 8 June at 9.30 – 10.30 pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time). The meeting will be a reflection meeting before the Northern Hemisphere summer break, to review the objectives of the network. Contact Dr. Leone Wheeler ([email protected]) if you are interested in joining.

Shared References:

UN-Habitat. Urban-Rural Linkages. Newsletter March 2021 3. 2021; Available from: https://urbanpolicyplatform.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/URL-NewsLetter-Issue-3_March2021.pdf

Men’s Sheds

• United States - Start a Shed – Men's Shed Association (usmenssheds.org)
• The Australian Men’s Sheds Association has produced a handbook to help others setting up sheds that may be of interest. - Men's Shed Resources & Fact Sheets (mensshed.org)
• Ireland see Who We Are | Irish Men's Sheds Association (menssheds.ie)

Note from Professor Marks

The interest in men's learning in Ireland grew out of reciprocal visits first between Northern Ireland and Australia/New Zealand. Seminars were organised resulting in research publications, commencing 2007. Subsequently, projects were set up resulting in the growth of sheds, often in rural areas and areas of multiple deprivations. Professor Rob Marks was a joint editor/writer of the book 'Men Learning through Life' - with Australian colleagues Barry Golding and Annette Foley (2014) which includes chapters from several different countries.