The Learning Cape Festival 2004

That's why the Learning Cape Festival will be held for the third year in a row, between 12th August and 10th September.

Its' aim is to create new 'lifelong learners', to motivate current learners and to build close partnerships with business, government, labour, civil society and education and training providers so as to make learning relevant and accessible to all.

It is an initiative of the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in conjunction with the Western Cape Education Department, and is an invitation for all to get involved in creating an exciting focus around learning for that month.

'Learning is the foundation on which we can build the economy of the Western Cape - and meet our commitments to social justice and empowerment,' says Sedick Jappie, LCF Chairperson. 'Our goal is to keep one step ahead of our changing economic and social world, and the way we are doing it is to look at the Western Cape's growth industries and make sure that educators and learners are aware of how to slot into these opportunities."

Events will vary from skills-transfer workshops and cultural events to debates, demonstrations of new learning techniques and a talk show, Visions of a Learning Cape that will wrap up the month's activities. One highlight is the Learning Fair (2-4 September) where educators, trainers, skills development practitioners and facilitators, shop stewards, HR practitioners, learners can come and be inspired about what's innovative in technology and teaching methodologies.

"The LCF is a great opportunity to create linkages between education and the private sector to achieve the province's goal of equity and access", motivates Judith O'Connell of the National Business Initiative, an organisation that took part in the LCF in 2002 and 2003.

From Cape Town's inner city, the Astronomical Observatory, the Athlone Learning Corridor, and Khayelitsha to the rural areas of George, Beaufort West, Caledon, Vredenburg and Worcester, there are going to be many highlights within the LCF.

And that's where you or your organisation fits in. The Festival creates a context within which your organisation can situate any event, workshop, seminar or exhibition. Let us know about events you're planning and we will publicise it in the LCF calendar, on our web-site and in our newspaper supplement. If you haven't done so yet, consider planning something for that month - and be part of the Western Cape's government's strategy of "iKapa Elihlumayo", the Growing Cape.