FREDERICTON (CNB) – A series of 24 public dialogue sessions on learning will be held in 19 New Brunswick communities beginning in January. The sessions are part of the second phase of public dialogues for the citizen engagement initiative on learning and innovation entitled Learning: Everybody's Project.

The sessions will begin on Jan. 11 in Fredericton and conclude Feb. 23 in Caraquet. They will be held primarily in the evenings to allow more people to participate. Interested individuals will also be able to take part in the discussions online, by telephone, e-mail and through the use of social media.

"To be successful, we need to use learning as a tool throughout our lives," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Jody Carr, who is co-chair of the initiative. "That is why we will be asking New Brunswickers over the next several months about how we can value learning more in our everyday lives. The public dialogue sessions will give everyone a face-to-face opportunity to take part in identifying, understanding and defining the opportunities and challenges we face regarding learning."

The sessions will be presented in the context of four learning environments: Learning at Home; Learning at School; Learning in the Workplace; and Learning in the Community. Discussions will centre on "lifelong" learning that happens at all ages and all stages of life. What and where people learn will be discussed.

"Learning allows us to enjoy more success," said initiative co-chair Marie-Paule Thériault, citizen representative. "Whether it is through having more productive employees, adding more value to a workplace as a worker, or being more self-sufficient as a senior after retirement, attaining a higher educational level is vital."

Launched in November 2010, the goal of Learning: Everybody's Project is to connect and engage citizens in a discussion on the value of lifelong learning. The result will be a vision for a learning agenda outlining how New Brunswick can be transformed into "The Learning Province" of Canada.

"When people are partners in the process, everyone comes together to talk about the problems and contribute to finding solutions," said initiative co-chair Andy Scott. "We are using this engagement approach to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be involved in the development and delivery of the action plan that will emerge."

Following is the list of public dialogue sessions:

Jan. 11 – Fredericton - French - École des Bâtisseurs, 715 Priestman St.

Jan. 12 – Fredericton - English - Royal Canadian Legion, 199 Queen St.

Jan. 17 – Bathurst - French - Centre des jeunes, 895 Ste-Anne St.

Jan. 17 – Bathurst - English - Knights of Columbus Hall, 335 Douglas Ave.

Jan. 18 – Campbellton - French - Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, 47 Village Ave.

Jan. 18 – Campbellton - English - Lions Bowling Centre, 4 Ramsay St.

Jan. 24 – Saint John - English - Boys and Girls Club, 1 Paul Harris St.

Jan. 24 – Saint John - French - Centre scolaire Samuel-de-Champlain, 67 Ragged Point Rd.

Jan. 25 – Chipman - English - Chipman/Minto Area Lions Club, 6408, Route 10, Upper Salmon Creek

Jan. 26 – Sussex - English - Royal Canadian Legion, 55 Magnolia Ave.

Jan. 31 – Dieppe - French - Club des garcons et filles, 76 Emmanuel St.

Jan. 31 – Moncton - English - Lions Community Centre, 472 St. George St.

Feb. 1 – Rexton - English - Lions Club, 145 Main St.

Feb. 1 – Richibucto - French - Club d'âge d'or, 9350 Main St.

Feb. 2 – Sackville - English - Lions Club, 10 Dufferin St.

Feb. 7 – Perth-Andover - English - Royal Canadian Legion, 44 Legion St.

Feb. 8 – Woodstock - English - Knights of Columbus Hall, 143 Charles St.

Feb. 9 – Saint-Léonard - French - Salle des Chevaliers de Colomb, 15 Union St.

Feb. 15 – St. George - English - Royal Canadian Legion, 4 New St.

Feb. 16 – Doaktown - English - Royal Canadian Legion, 8 Dr. Hamilton Dr.

Feb. 21 – Miramichi - English - Newcastle Lions Club, 324 Morrison Ln.

Feb. 21 – Miramichi - French - Carrefour Beausoleil, 300 Beaverbrook Rd.

Feb. 22 – Tracadie-Sheila - French - Centre Bellefeuille des Chevaliers de Colomb, 4293 Beauregard St.

Feb. 23 – Caraquet - French - Club du Bel Âge, 331 St-Pierre Blvd. E.


07-12-11