22.03.2023

EAEA calls for international solidarity to support the people affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

EAEA stands in solidarity with all the people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, calling on the international community to deliver consistent relief and recovery aid for these communities. EAEA members in Turkey, the International Lifelong Learning Association (Uluslararasi Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Derneği) and Yuva Association (Yuva Derneği), have been at the forefront of the emergency response, activating their networks swiftly to help their fellow citizens and offering relief services on the ground.

On March 20, the European Commission and the Swedish Council Presidency hosted an International Donors’ Conference to mobilise support for the reconstruction efforts needed after the catastrophic events of the past weeks. The people at the centre of this tragic emergency cannot be left alone. Thousands of lives, homes, learning spaces, and communities have to be reconstructed from the ground: Europe must be there.

Adult educators, learners, and leaders are ready to help: the adult learning and education community in Europe is committed to support the region, also by providing learning materials and sharing expertise in education in emergencies.

We are convinced that adult education has an important role to play in overcoming the difficult times ahead: it can equip people with the skills needed for the reconstruction process and provide psychosocial support to help them cope with the aftermath of the tragedy. It can also help build a sustainable dialogue between citizens, local authorities, and the government. Adult education is a fundamental brick of our society and will give an invaluable contribution to rebuild the affected communities.

Our thoughts are with the people of Turkey and Syria.

In solidarity,

The European Association for the Education of Adults

Text: EAEA

01.04.2025 financing

EAEA stands strong against cuts in ALE funding  

On March 31 2025, EAEA joined NGOs in Brussels in the nation-wide strike against planned government austerity measures. The peaceful demonstration was in solidarity with the national strike organised against the measures proposed by the new Belgian government.  

28.03.2025 digital literacy

Improving education environments in detention and care institutions

Since the end of 2024, EAEA has been a partner in the DigiFusE project. DigiFusE supports the development of digital readiness and resilience in controlled learning environments, such as closed detention and care institutions, to improve their educational environment.

27.03.2025 Democracy

A Union of Skills that puts the needs and ambitions of adult learners at the centre

The new European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, proposes a Union of Skills as part of its ambitious 100-day plan. The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) represents the European non-formal adult learning and education sector with thousands of providers and millions of learners. We welcome this initiative but stress that skills must be understood holistically - supporting individuals, communities, and society, not just the labour market.