In 2023, a significant year marking its 50th anniversary, ICAE received the Organisational Award of the International Adult and Continuing Education (IACE) Hall of Fame, in recognition of its unwavering commitment and remarkable achievements as the sole global civil society organisation for adult education and lifelong learning. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) in Lexington, Kentucky.
IACE Hall of Fame – Reflecting the Great Diversity of Adult and Continuing Education, honours leaders in the fields of continuing education and adult learning, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for the next generation of continuing education leaders. Additionally, it recognizes outstanding organisations through the Organisational Awards, which spotlight organisations that have made distinguished contributions and significantly impact the field of adult and continuing education. The organisation award is a highly visible component of the Hall of Fame’s dedication to lifelong learning.
You can read the acceptance speach by Katarina Popovic, ICAE Secretary General here:
“I have a profound sense of humility as I receive this prestigious award on behalf of ICAE.. This achievement is not solely the result of the efforts of rhe current ICAE team, but a testament to the dedication of our global network, our esteemed partners, and the legacy of those who came before me, before us.”I have a profound sense of humility as I receive this prestigious award on behalf of ICAE.. This achievement is not solely the result of the efforts of rhe current ICAE team, but a testament to the dedication of our global network, our esteemed partners, and the legacy of those who came before me, before us.
I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and I am deeply honored to follow in the footsteps of my predecessors who paved the way for this success. I will not mention any name, because I would do unjust to many of those not mentioned. Their hard work, vision, and unwavering commitment have laid the foundation upon which we continue to build inspite all the troubles.
And it wasnt an easy journey – it started in 1973, after confintea in Tokio, when colleagues with vision recognised that world needs a global organisation which is fully dedicated to AE. A journey started in Canada, then Uruguay, Philippines, and today in Serbia. But ICAE was and still is, where its members and partners are, everywhere where adult learners live and work.
We are still the only global organisation working solely on AE. And an old-fashioned organisation- we believe in educ. as a human right for all, in values of humanism, solidarity, in AE as social movement that connects us all, no matter which country, nationality, religion, age, sex, culture… We connect them all…
I’d also like to express my gratitude to the members of icae across the globe. It is their collective passion,commitment, expertise, and unwavering dedication that have made this recognition possible. Each one of them, our national and regional members, from more than 60 countries across the globe, played a crucial role in our shared journey.
Thank them all for their commitment, and thanks to HOF colleagues who nominated us and all those who recognised the value of our work through this award.”
