Sir David Attenborough has been presented with the first ever Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award, as part of the 20th Adult Learners' Week National Award Ceremony held on Monday 16th May in  Westminster. He was presented with this award by Vince Cable, the Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive of NIACE.

Sir David Attenborough

Sir David Attenborough, said:

"I am delighted to receive the first Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award. It is great to know that these programmes, which are aimed at viewers of all ages, are considered of value by NIACE. It is also an honour to consider that they inspire adults to improve their lives through learning and to discover more about the world we all live in. I hope that the passion I have - and the passion of my crew and colleagues - in the making of all the series I've been involved in, will continue to help adults continue their learning journeys throughout their lives."

Business Secretary, Vince Cable, who presented the Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award to Sir David Attenborough, said:

"I'm delighted to be able to present this award to Sir David Attenborough. Throughout his long and illustrious career in broadcasting he has brought a passion and a wealth of knowledge about the natural world into all our homes and inspired many to pursue further learning."

 "Continuing adult learning makes a vitally important contribution to individual development and to the wider economy and society. Adult Learners' Week celebrates how learning can enrich lives. I hope many more people will be encouraged to learn - whatever their age. I can reaffirm my government's strong support for adult learning."

 Alan Tuckett, Chief Executive of NIACE, said:

 "It would be hard to identify any single British educator who has contributed more to lifelong learning than Sir David Attenborough. As presenter of a number of breathtaking series of natural history programmes on the BBC - from Life on Earth to the Blue Planet, from The Living Planet to the Frozen Planet - he has demonstrated just how powerful a teaching and learning tool television can be. His combination of expertise, enthusiasm, clarity of explanation and informality makes him unparalleled as a public communicator and has inspired millions to learn more about the world around them. This makes him the natural choice for NIACE's first Adult Learners' Week Outstanding Contribution to Adult Learning Award."