From the banking crisis of 2008 and MPs' fraudulent expenses claims to the allegations of phone hacking, the last few years has seen a plethora of scandals in public life. More recently, the riots in England rocked the 'establishment' and raised many questions about society today. All these crises have challenged some of the most powerful groups in the country and exposed a gulf between the ruling class and the rest of society. Could any of these cataclysmic events have been prevented by a better informed and politically-educated public comprised of those willing and able to hold to account our bankers, politicians, journalists and police? Jol Miskin & Matt Livingstone from WEA Yorkshire and Humber region facilitated workshop participants to explore whether education can help create a better, fairer and more democratic society and, if so, what form should that education should take.

The key discussion points that emerges were:

1. Politics isn't working but people are interested in politics

2. Political education - until recently called active citizenship learning - is required as never before and should be an entitlement.

3. Perhaps we should return to the broader notion of education with a social purpose?

4. Engaging adults in politics and political education means starting from where they are: personal issues, fears, concerns; in a word reality.

5. To do that effectively requires resources and strong partnerships. Often these will be 3 way partnerships: WEA (educational provider)- local state - voluntary/community organisation (TU, Refugee organisation, TARA etc). The state has a role to play and should not be side-lined.

6. The purpose is to develop critical, confident, questioning and yes difficult adults; engaging and seeking change for a better world.