What is Community Learning and Development?
"Community learning and development (CLD) is learning and social development work with individuals and groups in their communities using a range of formal and informal methods. A common defining feature is that programmes and activities are developed in dialogue with communities and participants…(CLD's) main aim is to help individuals and communities tackle real issues in their lives through community action and community-based learning."
(Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities, Scottish Government Guidance for Community Learning and Development, 2004)
Building on Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities: A joint statement on community learning and development (CLD), including adult literacy and numeracy (ALN), by the Scottish Government and COSLA.
On Friday 28 November 2008, Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, and Councillor Harry McGuigan, COSLA spokesperson for the Community Wellbeing and Safety Executive Group, launched their Joint Statement on Community Learning and Development (CLD), including Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALN).
The joint statement, which builds on Working and Learning Together to build Stronger Communities (WALT), sets out their joint vision for CLD in Scotland, and offers a helpful resource, prompting those developing SOAs to reflect on and maximise the contribution CLD makes to achieving outcomes and ultimately making the most of its potential to play a part in transforming the lives of all Scotland's people.
Access a copy of the covering letter and the Scottish Government/COSLA Joint Statement.
For further information on the difference that CLD can make through personal development and building community capacity, see Delivering Change: understanding the outcomes of CLD.
What does the Learning Connections CLD Team do?
Learning Connections has two key roles in relation to CLD:
1. Providing policy advice to Ministers
Learning Connections provides policy advice to Ministers on all matters relating to CLD, linking with colleagues across the Scottish Government.
2. Work with local partnerships and national agencies
The CLD team supports implementation of Scottish Government policy and development of good practice in CLD, for example through a programme of support to CLD partnerships to assist implementation of Working and Learning Together to Build Stronger Communities, supporting development of training in CLD, and promoting the use of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).
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