14.11.2019

Adult Education and Citizenship

EAEA sees adult education as a central pillar to improving citizenship education within the European Union. In a newly published report on Adult Education and Citizenship, EAEA puts forward a number of recommendations on how to make citizenship a part of adult education provision.

The report discusses how citizenship education is becoming more poignant in contemporary society given the present political climate. Lifelong learning is a cornerstone to good citizenship education provision. By supporting people in developing the skills needed to engage actively in society they become better practiced, recognise how those skills remain relevant in an ever changing world, as well as involve those who did not receive appropriate citizenship education at school.

A very brief summary of the recommendations made:

  • Recognition and prioritisation of adult education, especially informal education, and adult education trainers
  • Policy makers should encourage the creation of opportunities for the adult learners to use and develop their citizenship skills
  • Education providers also have a role to play by encouraging citizenship-relevant skills: improving learners’ confidence and ability to participate they will be better prepared to engage as citizens when opportunities arise

Read the full AE and Citizenship paper pdf

10.02.2026 EAEA Annual Conference

Introducing EAEA’s 2026 Annual Theme: Resilience and Community-Building

EAEA'S 2026 annual theme is closely linked to current EU priorities, especially the Democracy Package - including the Civil Society Strategy and the Democracy Shield initiative. At a time of rising Euroscepticism and threats to democratic values, adult education has the power to strengthen democracy by promoting civic engagement, critical thinking and participation.

09.02.2026 climate

How learning and action shape a more sustainable society: golden nuggets from neuroscience to foster a constructive climate change debate

On February 4-5, EAEA participated in a learning symposium and keynote speech around climate education research and action, in Geneva, Switzerland. The events were organised in the context of the Horizon Europe LEVERs project, in which EAEA is a partner.

04.02.2026 digitalisation

Remote work: Challenges and opportunities for ALE in the digital world

EAEA’s Communication, Capacity-building and Membership Officer, Marina Sakač Hadžić, attended a conference on the topic of Remote Work & Social Change, taking place at the University of Antwerp on the 20th and 21st of January. She combines her work at EAEA with a PhD in law, bringing together insights from non-formal adult learning with ethnographic research.