UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning

Welcome to the newsletter of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) – the UIL Bulletin. With this Bulletin, we will inform you regularly about our work on promoting lifelong learning with a special focus on the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, literacy, and adult learning and education.

16 December 2019

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version française [6]
view as web page [7]

This issue covers the recently launched fourth UNESCO Global Report on Adult Learning and Education, results of the UNESCO General Conference and the UIL Governing Board meeting, a new cooperation with the Shanghai Open University, outcomes of the International Conference of Learning Cities in the Colombian city of Medellin and many further initiatives.

I kindly invite you to read more about our work and look forward to engaging with you to make lifelong learning a reality for everyone.

David Atchoarena

IN FOCUS: 4th Global Report on Adult Learning and Education

UNESCO report shows fewer than 5% of people in many countries benefit from adult learning opportunities

In almost one-third of countries, fewer than five per cent of adults aged 15 and above participate in education and learning programmes, according to UNESCO’s fourth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 4). Adults with disabilities, older adults, refugees and migrants, minority groups and other disadvantaged segments of society are particularly under-represented in adult education programmes and find themselves deprived of crucial access to lifelong learning opportunities.
Read more... [8]

"The fourth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education represents a wake-up call to countries to do more to advance participation in adult education – we need to heed it", says David Atchoarena. Learn more. [9]

Mr Mahougnon Kakpo, Minister of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education of Benin, explains which Global Report on Adult Learning and Education findings he takes home. Learn more. [10]

Governance

On 15 November 2019 at UNESCO’s 40^th General Conference in Paris, the Member States agreed to adopt a new UNESCO Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020-2025). ... Learn more. [11]

On 26 and 27 November, the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning met in Hamburg, Germany, to review the Institute’s work over the past year and adopt its work plan and budget for 2020. Learn more. [12]

Malak Zaalouk is a professor of practice and director at the Middle East Institute for Higher Education at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. At the end of her term as Chair of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Zaalouk shares her view on implementing lifelong learning worldwide. Learn more. [13]

The Editorial Board of the International Review of Education – Journal of Lifelong Learning (IRE) met on 25 November 2019 to discuss the future direction of the journal and to consider prospective areas of focus for articles and special issues. Editorial Board members from across the globe agreed to deepen the focus of the journal on areas such as education for sustainable development, and global citizenship education. Learn more. [14]

Learning cities

The International Conference on Learning Cities in Medellin, Colombia (1-3 October 2019) has set a new path for inclusion. Find the conference report on our website. Learn more. [15]

Ten cities from across the globe have been awarded for exemplary progress made by promoting inclusive education and lifelong learning in local communities. Learn more. [16]

Interested in learning about inclusion in Learning Cities? Read the background paper [17] of the International Conference on Learning Cities.

Heraklion, Greece, is building a sustainable city with effective structures of social support and networks of solidarity. Learn more. [18]

Explore our case studies databases

LitBase: literacy case studies worldwide

FIND OUT MORE [19]

Lifelong learning policies

FIND OUT MORE [20]

Recognition, validation and accreditation

FIND OUT MORE [21]

Lifelong learning policies

In October 2019, representatives from Cambodia, China, the Philippines and Rwanda gathered in Shanghai for a workshop on strengthening national education systems from a lifelong learning perspective. Learn more. [22]

On 28 October 2019, UIL and Shanghai Open University signed a three-year agreement to promote research, build resources and strengthen institutional capacities in the field of lifelong learning. Learn more. [23]

Literacy

A cost analysis by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning shows: US $14 billion needed to achieve universal literacy in countries with lowest literacy rates and E-9 countries. Donours called upon to close funding gap. Learn more. [24]

In September 2019, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and the University of Hamburg hosted an international research seminar on literacy and lifelong learning. The results will inform the Institute's policy and capacity-building work. Learn more. [25]

Publications