Rural woman with laptop

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Welcome to the new UIL website. We are currently migrating content. Click here to go to the previous version of the website. 

Our rapidly changing world calls for opportunities to learn throughout life, for individual fulfilment, social cohesion and economic prosperity.

 

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) strengthens the capacities of Member States to build effective and inclusive lifelong learning policies and systems, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. It aims to develop learning ecosystems that work across life, in every setting and benefit everyone through building capacity at local and national levels, strengthening partnerships, and offering data and knowledge.

The power of adult education: Addressing rural Kenya's gender divide
4 Kenyans carrying loads on their heads
Seventh International Conference on Adult Education

15 to 17 June 2022
Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakesh

Embracing a culture of lifelong learning

Creating a global culture of lifelong learning will be 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. Read our Embracing a culture of lifelong learning report and learn how to make it happen. 

embracing a culture of lifelong learning publication partial cover page
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize the holistic character of lifelong learning.
three people holding hands
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to promote transdisciplinary research and intersectoral collaboration for lifelong learning.
library
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to place vulnerable groups at the core of the lifelong learning policy agenda.
boy reading a book in a landfill
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to establish lifelong learning as a common good.
mass of people portraits
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to ensure greater and equitable access to learning technology.
family learning on a tablet
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to transform schools and universities into lifelong learning institutions.
person looking at books in a library
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize and promote the collective dimension of learning.
Women smiling
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to encourage and support local lifelong learning initiatives, including learning cities.
volunteers working at a community centre (clothing drive)
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to reengineer and revitalize workplace learning.
2 male workers looking at a paper together
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize lifelong learning as a human right.
People justicia

Our flagship activities

Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII)
UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC)
Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL)
COVID-19 response

Data and knowledge

The Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE)
The International Review of Education (IRE) – Journal of Lifelong Learning

Our stories

The power of literacy

How Annah, at the age of 70, decided to join forces with other grandmothers in her rural community in Uganda to learn how to read and write.

sunflower grandmas of Uganda and teacher
They call me worm

A story by German prisoner Johannes J. about life in prison and the transformative potential of libraries.

Prisoner reading a book
Lifelong learning in Shanghai

How the UNESCO learning city of Shanghai provides lifelong learning opportunities for its over 24.8 million citizens. 

Learners in Shanghai during COVID

Engage

Lifelong learning virtual exhibition

Call for contributions!

Publications

Making lifelong learning a reality: a handbook
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
2022
UNESCO
0000381857
5th global report on adult learning and education: citizenship education: empowering adults for change
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000381666
5th global report on adult learning and education: citizenship education: empowering adults for change; executive summary
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000381669
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL): annual report, 2021
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000381540
A transformative agenda: outcomes of the CONFINTEA VII regional preparatory conferences
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000381629
Lifelong learning opportunities for all: medium-term strategy 2022–2029
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380778
From emergency to resilience: building healthy and resilient cities through learning; fifth International Conference on Learning Cities, Yeonsu, Republic of Korea, 27 to 30 October 2021: conference report
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380657
CONFINTEA VII Regional Preparatory Conference for Africa
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380782
CONFINTEA VII Regional Preparatory Conference for the Arab States
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380784
CONFINTEA VII Regional Preparatory Conference for Asia and the Pacific
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380786
CONFINTEA VII Regional Preparatory Conference for Europe and North America
UNESCO
2022
UNESCO
0000380787
CONFINTEA VII Regional Preparatory Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380788