The Jordan Office of the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association (DVV International) successfully concluded a workshop with its Community of Practice, a selected group of practitioners in adult learning and education (ALE) that are exchanging their experience and knowledge on a regular basis. Held at the Hilton Dead Sea Hotel from November 5-8, 2025, the workshop brought together 35 participants under the theme “Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in the Development of Individuals and Communities.”
Participants included current and former ALE facilitators and representatives from the Ministry of Education. The ministry's representatives highlighted the ongoing collaborative work with DVV International to develop the ALE bylaw and its regulations that will support the professionalization of the ALE sector, including the recognition of the profession of ALE trainers.
The workshop focused on enhancing facilitators' skills in "Tafakur," an approach developed by DVV International Jordan to build capacity for leading meaningful ALE interventions. It also introduced tools and methods from Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), exploring their integration into Tafakur sessions. A key objective was to deepen the understanding of epistemic empowerment and its practical applications in adult learning.
Participants reported that the dialogue and discussions in this workshop will likely support their ability to lead reflective sessions with greater clarity and impact. A notable outcome was the seamless integration of new facilitators into the Community of Practice, who actively engaged as dynamic members of the team.
Looking forward, participants agreed to establish three working groups to advance the Community of Practice. These groups will focus on distinct levels: the conceptual and epistemic level, the tools and applications level, and a level dedicated to linking practice with theory, turning practical innovations into conceptual insights and vice versa.
This workshop is part of a series of activities implemented by DVV International Jordan to strengthen ALE as a vital component of lifelong learning, ultimately empowering individuals and supporting community development.