Sanjit Roy to Speak at ACE Conference

Media Release June 18 2012

Social Entrepreneur, Sanjit Roy to Speak at ACE Conference

Sanjit ‘Bunker’ Roy, a leading figure in the Indian NGO community for the past thirty years, will give a keynote address at this year’s Adult and Community Education (ACE) Conference in Wellington, June 27 – 29.

Recognised in 2010 by TIME as one of the world's 100 most influential people, Sanjit Roy has nurtured a grass-roots social entrepreneurship that is changing the way the world thinks about fighting poverty.

He has trained more than 3 million people for jobs in the modern world using a unique bottom-up approach. Graduates from his “Barefoot Colleges” return home to use their new skills as solar engineers, teachers, midwives, weavers and doctors. The approach combines humanitarianism, entrepreneurship and education to help people steer their own path out of poverty, fostering dignity and self-determination.

The theme for the 2012 Adult and Community Education (ACE) Conference is Community Solutions Ako te Katoa Tuhonohono te Katoa – The Business of Learning. The notion of community solutions will be explored by local and international speakers all of whom have a proven track record in harnessing community resources to enhance the lives of those living in their communities. Sanjit Roy will be joined by 2010 New Zealander of the Year, Sir Ray Avery, and innovative Otorohanga Mayor, Dale Williams.

Workshops will showcase some of the success stories from communities throughout Aotearoa as well as exploring approaches to good governance and innovation in learning and teaching.

Over 500 ACE providers throughout Aotearoa offer literacy, numeracy, computer skills, technical, life and leisure skills. Many learners taking advantage of community learning opportunities have had negative learning experiences in the past and benefit from the learner - centred approaches offered by ACE practitioners in community halls, homes, schools and on marae.

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