Adult learning and education and European & international policies

As this manifesto demonstrates, adult learning and education is necessary to implement most European and international policies:

Green Transition

Adult learning and education contributes to the Green Transition by addressing the skills required for a sustainable and environmentally conscious economy. Learning offers include a focus on green skills and awareness including upcycling and recycling, consumer education, civil society cooperation, and preparing adults to actively participate in industries that prioritise environmental sustainability as well as more sustainable lifestyles.

Digital Transition

In the context of the Digital Transition, adult learning and education is crucial for equipping individuals with digital literacy and skills essential for a technology-driven society and workforce. Digital skills are, in many countries, essential for obtaining information, accessing (public) services, communicating, shopping, and much more. Artificial intelligence will further propel the need for digital skills, particularly in navigating a highly manipulative digital environment.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Adult learning and education is necessary for the achievement of all SDGs. By promoting lifelong learning, addressing skill gaps, and fostering inclusivity, ALE contributes to the broader agenda of sustainable development set by the UN.

The European Pillar of Social Rights

Education, training, and lifelong learning are the first principles of the European pillar, which demonstrates the close link between social rights, equal opportunities, and learning. Adult learning and education ensure better access to the labour market but also to participation in other areas of life, such as democratic processes and active citizenship.

European Skills Agenda

Adult learning and education is instrumental in realising the objectives of the European Skills Agenda by providing avenues for individuals to acquire and enhance their skills. By providing outreach, life skills, and learner-centred methodologies, ALE organisations are at the forefront of creating a ‘Learning Europe’.

Upskilling Pathways

Adult learning and education plays a pivotal role in implementing the Upskilling Pathways strategy. Flexible basic and life skills training, outreach, and skills assessments empower individuals and offer them access to better jobs and lives.

Policies on adult learning and education

CONFINTEA VII Marrakech Framework for Action – harnessing the transformational power of adult learning and education

With the adoption of the Marrakech Framework for Action at the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education on 17 June 2022, representatives of over 140 countries committed to translating the vision of a right to lifelong learning into reality. They undertook to significantly increase adult participation in learning and recognized the need for increased financial investment in adult learning and education. Civil society in ALE across the globe (EAEA and its members for the European region) cooperates with, and supports, governments to fulfill this ambitious vision.

European Agenda for Adult Learning

The European Agenda for Adult Learning emphasizes the importance of ALE in fostering social inclusion, active citizenship, and continuous personal development. EAEA and its members are among the key actors implementing the Agenda. ALE carries out activities to reach out to, support, and empower those furthest from learning and work and those who have benefited least from initial educational opportunities.

Policy recommendations

EAEA recommends that European and national policymakers:

  • Recognise the benefits and importance of non-formal adult learning and education for individuals, communities, and society – for democracy, labour markets, health systems, and other key areas.
  • Recognise that the major challenges that Europe is facing cannot be solved without adult learning and education.
  • Recognise adult learning and education as a key political priority for Europe.
  • Recognise that the concept of skills contains a wide range of learning for work and life.
  • Use the European Semester as a key instrument to support and develop adult learning and education.
  • Turn the European Education Area into a true European Lifelong Learning Area with all sectors having equal status and priority.
  • Approach the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights from a citizen-centred perspective with a strong lifelong learning aspect.
  • Promote cooperation with, and support for, lifelong learning in the European Neighbourhood countries and other parts of the world.
  • Increase cooperation, collaboration and learning between policy, practice and research.
  • Establish and/or increase civil dialogue for adult learning and support civil society organisations.
  • Develop and implement adequate governance and funding systems, which are necessary to enable outreach, quality provision and increase participation in lifelong learning.
  • Invest adequate financial resources into adult learning and education and see this as an investment and not as an expense.
  • Establish coherent lifelong learning systems that enable progression, also through validation and recognition.
  • Fund and support learning in communities.
  • Create financial incentives for adult learning and education institutions to develop and offer climate literacy courses for adults.
  • Promote climate education programmes that empower adults to take actionable steps to address climate changes in their communities.
  • Support community-led initiatives that engage adults in sustainability projects, such as community gardens, energy efficiency retrofits, and waste reduction programmes.
  • Provide ongoing professional development for adult educators, focusing on pedagogical methods that promote transformative processes, democracy and peace.
  • Support peer learning networks and mentorship programmes to share best practices and innovation in adult learning and education.