There is a developing consonance of agendas within Unisa’s Department of Science and Technology (DST)/National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) in Development Education and its impact on innovation, teaching and learning, research, and community engagement at the university is growing day-by-day. Expanding the chair’s genuinely African expression and thinking on education and research, its 6th retreat was officially opened on 23 November 2013. The theme this year, Establishing the discourse and protocols for innovations from below as restorative action to the communities, brought together a range of accomplished speakers from across Africa and the globe.

Could I draw your attention to two recent papers in the International Journal of Lifelong Education - published with “Gold Open Access” (i.e., available to all, free of charge). These papers address important current issues relating to the connections between higher and lifelong education, and we would be pleased if you would draw them to colleagues' and students' attention.