Launch of 'A Declaration on Learning'

Citation

(1999), "Launch of 'A Declaration on Learning'", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 31 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.1999.03731aab.001

Launch of 'A Declaration on Learning'

Launch of A Declaration on Learning

Keywords Consultants, Learning, Policy

Eight of the leading authorities on learning in organizations ­ namely John Burgoyne, Ian Cunningham, Bob Garratt, Peter Honey, Andrew Mayo, Alan Mumford, Michael Pearn and Mike Pedler ­ have come together to produce A Declaration on Learning.

Between them these eight people claim 250 years' worth of experience as learning consultants and have produced at least 30 books on learning and related matters (both are conservative estimates!).

The authors have come together to produce this document as they believe that the ability to learn about learning and become masters of the learning process is the critical issue for the next century.

The document claims that the biggest missed opportunity for policy makers and leaders in organizations is the failure to capitalize on the collective learning opportunity of people. The authors go on to argue that learning is the most powerful, engaging, rewarding and enjoyable aspect of our personal and collective experience.

One of their concerns is that learning is too often restricted to notions of formal teaching and training. They see learning in a much broader frame and as part of our daily experience. They also promote the view that learning is crucial for individuals, organizations and society with comments like: "Learning increases everyone's capacity to contribute to the success of the organization"and "Individual and collective learning reinforces the informed, conscious and discriminating choices that underpin democracy".

As well as arguing for the practical benefits of learning, the authors emphasize the moral and ethical dimensions, recognizing that not all learning is desirable. However, they make a strong plea for seeing "learning to learn as the most fundamental learning of all".

Copies of the Declaration can be obtained from Peter Honey at Ardingly House, 10 Linden Avenue, Maidenhead, SL6 6HB, UK (e-mail: peterhoney@peterhoney.co.uk and fax 01628 633262).

Further information is available from Ian Cunningham, Tel: 01273 703691; Peter Honey, Tel: 01628 633946; Michael Pearn, Tel: 00 353 1 475 3931.