Eduard Lindeman published The Meaning of Adult Education in 1926. This text serves as the seminal work that has inspired almost 100 years of adult education. With this impetus, approximately 75 years ago, adult education formed this association from a confluence of related disciplines (including psychology, philosophy, and pedagogy). Like a variety of trees in a sustainable diverse forest, the roots of our field go deep. We are inclusive of many approaches, aspects, and varieties of educators – as seen through the multiple commissions in AAACE. AAACE serves as a nurse log to grow and nurture the new generation of adult educators. By working together, we create a robust and flourishing ecosystem.

 

During this 99th year of our field, I would like us to be both reflective and forward looking. With additions to our commissions and a new generation gaining voice, we recognize that the faces of adult educators in our organization and in the U.S. are changing. The theme for the 2025 conference is: Bridge the Generational Divide: Recognizing the Roots and Branches of the Field of Adult Education. To know the past is to prepare for the future. Understanding the generational influences on our knowledge and thinking helps us to see the cycles with eyes to honor accomplishments, heal past trauma, and make space for new traditions, ideas, and connections. Let’s embrace the roots and branches, bridge the generational divide, and grow AAACE along with the field of adult education.