In conclusion…

What had obviously been a successful conference was brought to a close by David McNulty, Lifelong Learning Manager of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Deputy Chair of the Learning City Network.

"One of the key messages that I will take from today," David McNulty remarked, "is to keep it local because local is where it works, and that you have to work in partnerships with the communities you are supposed to be serving."

The challenge was to ensure that the voice of practitioners and the voice of communities continues to be heard and this is where the LCN has a vital role to play. "It is important that people are in an effective network that can share good practice, share ideas, but equally for that network it is important that we get the variety, the experience, and knowledge and skills that are in this room actively engaged in taking things forward," he concluded.

With this in mind, Duncan Sones thanked the conference organisers and urged delegates to "go back to your constituencies and prepare to learn!"