Last month kicked off preparations for the seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII), which will take place in Morocco in 2022.

Sub-regional and regional preparatory conferences are now taking place across all world regions and will provide localized perspectives and prepare the ground for the global conference and the new framework for action on adult education to be adopted during CONFINTEA VII.

This month's newsletter provides you with information about the CONFINTEA VII preparatory process, new literacy case studies, outcomes of a webinar on prison libraries and much more.

Wishing you good reading!

David Atchoarena

version française versión en español Dear readers, Last month kicked off preparations for the seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII), which will take place in Morocco in 2022. Sub-regional and regional preparatory conferences are now taking place across all world regions and will provide localized perspectives and prepare the ground for the global conference and the new framework for action on adult education to be adopted during CONFINTEA VII. This month's newsletter provides you with information about the CONFINTEA VII preparatory process, new literacy case studies, outcomes of a webinar on prison libraries and much more. Wishing you good reading! David Atchoarena IN FOCUS The seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) will be hosted by Morocco in 2022. Over 1,000 participants are expected to take part in the conference, which will examine adult learning and education policies and provide guidance for future progress in the field . Learn more. Lifelong learning policies How prison libraries support rehabilitation efforts Prison libraries can support the rehabilitation of the approximately 11 million incarcerated worldwide – that was the key message of a webinar hosted by the UNESCO Chair in Applied Research for Education in Prisons (Canada), in collaboration with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the Institut de coopération pour l’éducation des adultes (ICÉA, Canada) on 3 February 2021. Learn more about the webinar outcomes. Embracing a Culture of Lifelong Learning now available in French Embracing a Culture of Lifelong Learning, UIL’s contribution to the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education, is now also available in French. The publication argues that creating a global culture of lifelong learning is key to addressing the challenges faced by humanity, from the climate crisis to technological and demographic change, not to mention those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequalities it has exacerbated . Download the publication. Literacy Case study from Colombia: Obras Escuela: Literacy for Construction Workers In Colombia, an estimated 74% of accidents on construction sites are caused by human error, mostly due to a lack of understanding of workplace regulations caused by low #literacy skills. Learn how the Obras Escuela programme, featured in our LitBase database, provides help. Case study from Senegal: Integrated Functional Literacy and Technical Training for Farmers The agricultural sector is the largest employer of the Senegalese working-age population, but food deficit and nutrition insecurity is still a prevalent problem. It is therefore important to support farmers in increasing their agricultural productivity by equipping them with enhanced knowledge and skills in sustainable farming and marketing. Learn how the technical training programme for farmers, featured in our LitBase database, provides help. UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities UNESCO learning city of Busan Nam-gu, Republic of Korea In September 2020, 54 new members joined the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). Each month, one of these cities is showcased in the Bulletin. This month, the spotlight is on Busan Nam-gu, Republic of Korea: ‘We will establish a lifelong learning system to improve the quality of life of our citizens, social integration, civic development, and employment opportunities.’ says Mayor Park Jae Bem in a video statement. Broad commitment to education for sustainable development leads Espoo towards a sustainable future Sustainable development is the leading paradigm for learning city advancement in Espoo, Finland. A key to the city's success is a strong focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). On 21 February 2021, Espoo shared its achievements with members of the UNESCO GNLC ESD Cluster. Learn more. COVID-19 issue notes Discover our issue notes covering key topics related to the COVID-19 education response, such as distance learning, family learning, and more. Sign up for the bi-monthly ALADIN Online Alert to receive open access documents on adult learning, adult literacy, lifelong learning, and technical and vocational education and training! Explore our databases LITBASE: LITERACY CASE STUDIES WORLDWIDE LIFELONG LEARNING POLICIES DATABASE RECOGNITION, VALIDATION AND ACCREDITATION UNESCO GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES' MEMBERS International Review of Education Special issue of the International Review of Education: Education in the age of COVID-19: Understanding the consequences. Cameroonian responses to COVID-19 in the education sector: Exposing an inadequate education system  Academic conferencing in the age of COVID-19 and climate crisis: The case of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)    Publications The fourth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 4) is now available in German: '4. Weltbericht zur Erwachsenenbildung: niemand soll zurückbleiben: Teilnahme und Teilhabe.' Download publication. External articles How To Make Lifelong Learning Your Superpower Forbes Remote Learning Isn’t Just for Kids The New York Times Realizing the returns to schooling: How COVID-19 and school closures are threatening women's economic future World Bank Blogs Copyright © 2021 UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, All rights reserved.