Lifelong Learning in Adult Education: The Clemente Programme

This academic book delves into the powerful impact of the Clemente program in Australia, focusing on individuals facing various disadvantages. Through partnerships with community organisations, municipal governments, and human service organizations – the Australian Catholic University and, in Ballarat, Federation University Australia – the program offers a comprehensive Humanities course at multiple locations across the country. The twelve-week curriculum includes expert lectures by Tertiary educators and interactive sessions with Learning Partners, fostering critical thinking and meaningful engagement with society.

At the core of the Clemente Program lies a strong belief in the transformative power of education, particularly in the Humanities. It aims to empower those who feel disconnected from society by promoting social inclusion and building self-confidence through knowledge and reflection. The essays in this book, written by respected academics, cover various topics, such as regional implementation, emotional intelligence research, the program's impact on disadvantaged youth, experiences of vulnerable individuals, its teaching approach compared to other university courses, and the effects of trauma on learning.

 This scholarly work sheds light on the life-changing potential of the Clemente Program in Australia. It highlights how education in the Humanities can empower individuals facing disadvantages and create stronger communities.

Steve Else has served as Academic Coordinator of Clemente Ballarat since 2016. He co-authored Voices of Clemente (ACU, 2022), secured a 2022 research grant for a youth-focused program, and presented on Clemente’s impact for disadvantaged job-seekers to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 2019.

Jeremy C.A. Smith is Associate Professor of Sociology at Federation University Australia. He has chaired the Ballarat Clemente Steering Committee since 2015. He co-authored a 2013 article titled 'Humanities Education as a Pathway for Women in Regional and Rural Australia: Clemente Ballarat' (A Gervasoni, J Smith and P Howard) in Australian Journal of Adult Learning and has presented at national conferences, including the 2016 ACDASSH conference and the 2019 Victorian Legislative Assembly.