Update Jan 2012: For dates and details of our forthcoming events and courses, please see the Activities page.
For information on the 'Collaborating for Change' workshops, please visit the following page: http://www.che.ac.uk/2012/01/collaborating-for-change-workshops/
The Govan Folk University is the name under which five organisations based in Govan in Glasgow, Scotland, are starting to join up areas of their work on learning that best serves the people of Govan and the wider community.
This website is under construction and the same could be said of our ideas which are also “under construction”. Some of what is shared here is still being agreed through our own individual organisations. Please treat it as a “heads up” only at this early stage.
The idea of a "folk university" has evolved over several years, even decades. It’s inspired by projects round the world that are are examples of education in the community. The Scandinavian folk schools, free universities, people's universities have all inspired our work, as well as communiversities, hedge schools and cultural or heritage campuses. Equally, it is inspired by the many forms that learning has taken place in tenements and halls throughout Govan and areas like it; at kitchen tables, listening to old ‘yins and working alongside time served journeymen.
In the past 3 years we have discussed various names - cultural campus, free or people's university, folk school, etc. - and a thoughtful process led us unanimously to "folk university". We see this simply as a partnership title under which we can begin to join up and deepen our existing work and share facilities. Govan Folk University does not seek to imitate the important role that mainstream universities play. As a folk university, we see our part as bringing the idea of a university back into the community.
We’ll announce more shortly though we’re keen to not raise expectations; while our shared vision is ambitious, our plans remain relatively modest. For the year ahead, we have agreed two projects. The first, Govan Together, is a Climate Challenge Fund project to celebrate and build on the skills of an area like Govan for the creation of a high well-being future. The second is an event that will take place in October 2011, which gives a flavour of the kind of work the partners can bring their various strengths to. The event seeks to ground more scholarly activities in ways that are relevant to people and place. Please see the Kandinsky in Govan information on this website.
Traditionally, universities and other institutions define their purpose and principles in a charter. We have agreed the following initial charter statement:
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The Govan Folk University is a partnership of educational, arts, religious, community and social enterprise organisations. We come together so as to recognise and strengthen Govan as a place of learning. We aspire to reclaim the meaning of education in ways that deepen the many forms that it can take in the community. This includes honouring our cultural values and sharing skills that are born of experience and rooted in a sense of people, place and purpose - to serve all that gives life in Govan and the wider community.
Personal statements from folk involved in getting the project going can be read here.
As the project develops we hope to involve further local organisations where there are obvious connections between their work and ours. We are keen to explore ways in which by working cooperatively we can better meet the needs of the local people. We are keen to deepen our work and methods to empower people's participation in the social, cultural and economic life of Govan.
A close associate of the Partnership team has been Brian Park of Page Park Architects. He is involved with restoration work on both the Pearce Institute and the former Fairfield Shipyards office building. He is also involved with Govan Old Parish Church (St Constantines) and St Anthony's Church, both in the heart of Govan. Following consultations in the local community Page Park have helped to give expression to the ideas that we value in the following graphic:
