Promoting lifelong learning for all: The experiences of Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania

A new UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) publication, Promoting lifelong learning for all: The experiences of Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania, marks a significant outcome of a project to promote lifelong learning for all in selected African countries.

The report highlights the progress made by the five aforementioned countries since 2014, when UIL proposed 10 recommendations for developing lifelong learning strategies for sustainable development in a document entitled Key issues and policy considerations in promoting lifelong learning in selected African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda and Tanzania.

For the current publication, extensive desk research and consultations with the participating countries provide a comprehensive assessment of the present types of lifelong learning policies, strategies and programmes. More specifically, the new publication looks at the origin, essence and benefits of lifelong learning and comprises a compendium of good practices in promoting lifelong learning for all in the five countries. Reflections on how progress can be accelerated in the region as well as potential collaboration opportunities with UIL are also outlined.

Importantly, the publication demonstrates the significance of lifelong learning for the African region and advocates its wider adoption in light of the global agenda for sustainable development. The five African countries have made notable progress in implementing lifelong learning as per UIL’s 2014 recommendations and their various initiatives embrace Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which urges countries to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’.

UIL hopes that the information contained in the report will contribute to the capacity of policy-makers and researchers to develop national policies and strategies to establish lifelong learning systems in Africa.