The VALBEC 2005 conference is the main event on the calendar this year. While continuing to showcase recent research and foster debate, the spotlight will be focused on learners - their life experiences, their diversity, their goals and aspirations, achievements and future directions.
We want to portray the richness and challenges our learners bring to adult learning and to illustrate innovative approaches and promising classroom practices. We want to discuss what works from various perspectives and give participants opportunities to creatively engage with ideas grounded in what is known about how adults learn and how language and literacy develop in a range of contexts.
Those interested and involved in adult education are invited to submit a presentation proposal for the Portraits and Visions - keeping the learner in sight, VALBEC 2005 conference. Whether it is a portrait of a small project or successful curriculum or classroom activities or a larger canvas of research or policy critique, practitioners are invited to share their wisdom, technique, research and proven practices with others from across Victoria and Australia.

Submit presentations
Submit your presentation proposal or encourage others to submit, keeping in mind that the presentation should:
• stimulate thought and discussion on relevant issues and practice
• describe and reflect on current practice and examples of successful work
• be interactive and encourage dialogue
• display innovation and flexibility in practice/research
• demonstrate effective practice in a range of settings
• exemplify adult learning principles
• critique changes in state and federal government policies and priorities.

Workshops/Presentations will be of 20, 40 or 60 minutes duration
Copyright of individual workshops presented at the VALBEC 2005 conference remain copyright of the respective author/s. However, VALBEC reserves the right to publish papers and distribute information about these workshops for teaching and research purposes in Fine Print

Formats for the presentations will include:
• papers
• interactive workshops
• poster presentations
• panels of up to 4 speakers

The proposal form can be completed online or download the file and submit it by
• Post to Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
• Fax 03 9546 0421
Proposals are to be submitted by February 27th 2005.
Presenters will be notified by March 13th 2005 of their inclusion in the Conference program.
Conference updates can be viewed at www.valbec.org.au
For further information contact Don MacDowall, Conference Organiser
• Email conf@valbec.org.au
• Phone 03 9546 6892