Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (2009) - CONFINTEA VI

The sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) was held in Belém, Brazil in 2009. Attracting 1,125 participants from 144 countries, it was organised by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), on behalf of UNESCO and in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Brazil.

Conference outcome: the Belém Framework for Action

In the Belém Framework for Action (BFA), UNESCO Member States commit to strengthen adult learning and education (ALE) in five key ‘areas of action’, and to monitor and report on national progress on a regular basis.

1. Develop ALE policies and programmes.
2. Improve the governance of ALE.
3. Increase funding for ALE.
4. Promote participation inclusion and equity.
5. Improve the quality of ALE.

These BFA commitments were reaffirmed by UNESCO Member States in the Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education (2015). The global commitment to ALE is stronger than ever.

Follow-up process

The primary instrument to monitor progress in implementing the BFA is UIL’s Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE). Since CONFINTEA VI, two reports have taken stock of progress: GRALE II and GRALE III were published in 2013 and 2016 respectively. GRALE IV is scheduled for publication in 2019. Each report draws on comprehensive national progress reports.
A Mid-Term Review of CONFINTEA VI in Suwon, Republic of Korea, from 25 to 27 October 2017, took stock of achievements and challenges, paving the way for CONFINTEA VII in 2021.

Preparatory Process

To prepare for CONFINTEA VI, Member States were invited to submit national reports on the state of their policies and practices for adult learning and education. These reports were synthesised into five regional reports and used as a basis to prepare the first Global Report on Adult Learning and Education.

The regional reports were presented and discussed at a series of regional conferences, which took place in Mexico City, Seoul, Nairobi, Budapest and Tunis between 2008 and 2009. At each conference, participants agreed on recommendations and regional statements, which informed the drafting of the Belém Framework for Action.

	Regional synthesis report From literacy to lifelong learning: Trends, issues and challenges in youth and adult education in Latin America and the Caribbean
	Regional synthesis report The state and development of adult learning and education in the Arab States
	Regional synthesis report The state and development of adult learning and education in Subsaharan Africa
	Regional synthesis report The state and development of adult learning and education in Europe, North America and Israel
	Regional synthesis report The state and development of adult learning and education in Asia and the Pacific

Other CONFINTEA VI Documents

1. Annotated Agenda
2. Flyer