The debate was hosted by MEP and Shadow Minister for Education and Employment Therese Comodini Cachia (EPP, MT). Next to her EAEA President Per Paludan Hansen.
15.12.2015

“We need adult education to live together in inclusive societies”

On 1st of December, EAEA organised a Policy Lunch on “Adult Education: achievements and challenges ahead”. The latest EAEA publications and upcoming plans for 2016 were presented in the event.

The three portrayed documents, ‘Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century’, EAEA Policy Paper on Health and EAEA Grundtvig Award 2015, aim at policy-makers to present how adult education can play a key role to bring solutions to the challenges Europe is currently facing.

“We need a European agenda with a strong focus on adult education and skills, where adult education is not just about skills for the labour market but is about skills for life. In the light of recent tragic events, we need adult education to live together in inclusive societies,” underlined EAEA President Per Paludan Hansen, presenting the Manifesto.

Lifelong learning to defeat poverty

MEP Therese Comodini Cachia, member of the Interest Group on Lifelong Learning initiated by EAEA and Lifelong Learning Platform, referred to a recent Draft Joint Employment Report published by the European Commission which outlined an increase of poverty in Europe. She emphasised that it is imperative for policy makers to do their very utmost to understand the needs and social environment that these people live in.

“We need to devise lifelong learning measures that address their needs. If we fail to do this we would be guilty of increasing differences in society, poverty as well as marginalisation,” she said.

EAEA would like to thank Ms. Comodini Cachia for hosting the Policy Lunch and for her active participation in the debate that pursued the common purpose of raising awareness on adult learning and putting forward the need to introduce a holistic approach at all levels of decision-making. 

Text: Inna KravchokPhotos: Karl Agius, Raffaela Kihrer

28.11.2023 financing

Decreasing funding levels - and yet expecting miracles?

Recent reports from EAEA’s members reveal that Adult Learning and Education is facing considerable financial cuts in many European countries. Notably, Sweden and Finland which are known for their traditionally strong support of non-formal ALE, are now facing severe cuts.

27.11.2023 cooperation

Connecting research, policy and practice: a new collaboration brings EAEA and ESREA closer together

A memorandum of understanding, signed last summer by EAEA and the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA), aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two organisations. EAEA’s Gina Ebner and ESREA’s Marcella Milana reflect on the past and future activities that brought both networks closer.

21.11.2023 advocacy

We need skills for the labour market - and beyond!

EAEA welcomes the great interest that the European Year of Skills (EYS) has brought to skills and ALE, as we believe that this area is of enormous importance for the future of Europe. Six months into the thematic year, it is time to take stock, shedding light on the connection between skills and work – and looking at how we can go beyond skills for the labour market.