André Schläfli headed SVEB from 1991 to 2016. He passed away unexpectedly on 22 November, shortly after his 75th birthday. SVEB mourns the loss of an energetic, far-sighted visionary who had a decisive influence on adult education in Switzerland and in international networks for 25 years and continued to shape it even after his retirement.
When André Schläfli took over the management of SVEB in 1991, the association was at a turning point. SVEB – then still known as «Schweizerische Vereinigung für Erwachsenenbildung» – was celebrating its 40th anniversary and had decided to fundamentally reposition itself. As an association with around 30 members that was limited to general adult education, the SVEB wanted to undergo a comprehensive renewal and represent the entire adult learning and education sector.
The early years: SVEB at a turning point
The new managing director was tasked with shaping the reorientation on the basis of a ‘development plan for the 1990s’ and thus leading the association into the future. And the very first task that André Schläfli received from the board was even more ambitious: the new director was to work towards Switzerland getting an adult education law. André Schläfli took on these challenging tasks with determination and enthusiasm. It was to be a path that he pursued unwaveringly for a quarter of a century with unflagging motivation and through all the ups and downs of adult education policy.
Political ups and downs
Education policy issues were among the core tasks of the SVEB director. With the idea of establishing a coordination conference and a foundation to promote adult education, SVEB was ahead of its time in the 1990s. The plan failed, but the association did not consider giving up. A few years later, at the turn of the millennium, André Schläfli and SVEB celebrated the establishment of the Forum for adult Education and, a little later, in 2006, the anchoring of adult education in the Federal Constitution. The next major milestone followed in January 2017 with the introduction of the first Federal Act on adult Education. From this point on, SVEB received a four-year service agreement with the federal government, giving it a degree of planning security for the first time in its history. André Schläfli played a key role in all these successes, which were achieved despite numerous obstacles and resistance.
Focus on professionalisation
From the outset, one of André Schläfli’s central concerns was the professionalisation of adult education. He pursued this issue with foresight and determination, refusing to be deterred by critics and sceptics. His maxim of starting with those who were willing to go along with him and gradually convincing the doubters of his vision through his actions proved to be a recipe for success. And not only in setting up a train-the-trainer system, but also in another major project, the development of a quality label for adult education. The first AdA qualifications were awarded in 1996, and the first eduQua certifications in 2000. Both systems have been continuously developed and are now among the cornerstones of the adult education system – and among the things that other countries often envy us for.
Broad network
André Schläfli was a visionary, but not a dreamer. He always had both feet firmly planted on the ground and sought ways to advance adult education within the existing framework. He did not do this as a lone warrior, but always with the awareness that important goals can only be achieved together with employees, partners and a strong network. He worked tirelessly to achieve this. He positioned SVEB as a network that was open to all interested parties, members and non-members, supporters and critics alike. He was committed to a culture of cooperation, in which it quickly became a matter of course for competitors to work together constructively. From the very beginning, this culture also included cooperation between all language regions – a concern that was particularly close to André Schläfli’s heart as a native of Fribourg. This is a fundamental attitude that continues to shape SVEB to this day.
In addition to national networking and cooperation, André Schläfli was also extremely successful at the international level. For many years, he was an active member of the board of the European Association for Adult Education (EAEA) and the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), participated in international conferences, including the World Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA), and was involved in numerous international projects. For his commitment and services at national and international level, he was ultimately inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame.
Diverse interests
André Schläfli was a man of many interests who was enthusiastic about many things – and was able to infect others with his enthusiasm. In addition to his goals in the areas of education policy, advocacy and professionalisation, he took up numerous topics. These ranged from innovative financing models, validation procedures and educational qualifications to digitalisation and basic skills, as well as initiatives such as the Learning Festival.
A long journey
When André Schläfli took up his post as director of SVEB, the association had 30 members and five or six employees. When he stepped down, the association had around 750 members and a team of around 20 people, as well as a well-established network of partners, experts and representatives, all of whom were committed to strong, future-oriented adult education. They all knew André Schläfli as an innovative, inspiring, occasionally controversial, but always fair partner and superior, to whom we all owe a lot. Over the years, he became a friend and companion to many, who now sorely miss him.
SVEB mourns the loss of André Schläfli and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.