Adult Learning and Education

One of the strategic goals of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is to ensure that adult learning and education (ALE) is recognized as a crucial component of education systems and integrated into national policy frameworks and development agendas. Supporting Member States in enhancing access to and participation in ALE programmes and developing capabilities to create more learning opportunities for youth and adults are key objectives. In applying a results-based management (RBM) approach, UIL’s programmatic activities seek to improve ALE policy and practice on the international, regional and national levels. One of UIL’s most important activities in this area is its publication of the Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE).

Using the momentum gained from CONFINTEA VI, UIL supports Member States in pursuing the international ALE agenda, focusing on the implementation of the Belém Framework for Action. UIL’s activities as part of its international coordination of the CONFINTEA follow-up process include capacity development, research, advocacy, networking and communication. The development of ICT-based adult education interventions and the promotion and use of ICT in youth and adult education are of special concern. The process of revising UNESCO’s 1976 Recommendation on the Development of Adult Education has led to UNESCO’s 2015 Recommendation on the Development of Adult Education. Together with the Belém Framework for Action and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the revised Recommendation will serve as the new reference document for ALE policy and practice. The CONFINTEA Fellowship Programme and the CONFINTEA Scholarship Programme develop the capacities of adult learning and education specialists. The Fellows support the implementation of the Belém Framework for Action by drafting national strategies for their countries, and the Scholars by conducting related research.