AVP Ireland among AONTAS STAR Awards Finalists

The AONTAS STAR Awards, organised by AONTAS, The National Adult Learning Organisation, recently brought together a wide range of inspiring initiatives from across Ireland, celebrating the impact of adult and community education.

AVP Ireland was proud to be shortlisted in the Adult Learning Initiatives that Support Social Change category. While we did not take home the award this year, it was an honour to be recognised alongside so many impactful and diverse programmes.

The event was a valuable opportunity to connect with others working in the sector and to reflect on the important role that adult learning plays in building stronger, more inclusive communities. The range of initiatives highlighted once again the creativity, commitment, and impact of organisations across the country.

For AVP Ireland, this is a meaningful recognition of the work carried out by our volunteers inside and outside of prison, who have facilitated workshops in Irish prisons for over 30 years, creating spaces for human connection, reflection, and personal growth. AVP’s transformative impact has had significant ripple effects on families, communities, and wider society.

In a world marked by conflict, polarisation, and prejudice, the ability to engage in dialogue and maintain relationships across differing opinions is essential. AVP promotes this through reaffirming shared values and strengthening nonviolent communication skills. Our approach questions who holds knowledge and what counts as knowledge, valuing lived experience and enabling everyone to contribute to reflection and growth. We demonstrate that sustainable social change is rooted in strong peaceful communities, which take time and trust to build.

We would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists, and thank AONTAS for bringing together and celebrating such important work. We look forward to continuing to contribute to this shared effort in the years ahead.