Introduction and Summary of the Events This report covers a series of regional roadshows which took place around the country during March and early April 2001, on the theme of ‘Skills for Social Inclusion and the Knowledge Economy: Towards a Shared Vision’. The events were organised on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills, formally DfEE by the Learning City Network (LCN) and venues included Birmingham, Cheltenham, Epsom, Wakefield, London, St.Helens, Castle Donington (East Midlands), Duxford (Cambridgeshire) and Durham. There were presentations and workshop papers from the Adult Basic Skills Strategy Unit (ABSSU), the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), and the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA), as well as the DfES and the LCN. The knowledge and experience that participants brought to the conferences was very varied. The aim was to enable local and national Learning and Skills Council (LSC)and Learning Partnerships (LP) personnel to: meet each other, and colleagues from Regional Government Offices, Regional Development Agencies, Further Education, Adult and Community Education, Local Education Authorities, the Voluntary Sector and the private sector discuss issues that would be raised in the context of the new post-16 framework, in the field of adult learning start the work of defining what needs to be done, who should do it and how create new networks between key organisations. To clarify the background, there were presentations on the Government 's policy on adult and community learning, and on the perspectives of the nine Regions.Workshops were then held on four topics:the Adult Basic Skills Strategy, Fitness for Purpose (Quality and Equality), Learning Centre Networks and Learner Feedback, chosen to enable delegates to explore the characteristics of ACL at its best -inclusiveness, diversity, flexibility, local delivery, innovation, high standards, meaningful outcomes, responsiveness and accountability. Over 900 people signed up for the events from a wide variety of organisations. MAIN POINTS EMERGING Learning which promotes social inclusion and community capacity building, and learning which promotes enterprise and improves workforce skills are two sides of the same coin. Dialogue between LSC and organisations involved in Adult and Community Learning is vital.Learning Partnerships also have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that LSC-funded provision meets local needs. Voluntary and community organisations have a vital role to play in widening participation in learning and building up community capacity, and they need the right kind of funding and support to help them to do their job well. Although the Local Initiatives Fund should support innovation and informal learning, it is vital that adult and community learning is properly funded from mainstream resources. Quality, assessment and inspection systems must take account of the nature of informal and community-based learning if it is to flourish.Voluntary and community organisations can meet the requirements of the new inspection framework, but they will need help. Networking and partnership arrangements are essential to make the best use of resources and skills, and to ensure the spread of effective practice.

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