Rural woman with laptop

UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning

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

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 UN Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning spearheads the #ImALifelongLearner campaign during the SDG Summit
Group of Friends Ambassadors joining the #ImALifelongLearner campaign
Unlocking potential: How adult learning at university empowered Timmy Long’s transformation
Timmy Long
How literacy educator Rita Rani Sarker transforms lives of adult learners
Rita Rani Sarker
Empowering refugees through higher education in Rwanda
Kepler Kiziba Campus students
How lifelong learning made Pat believe in himself
Pat Fitzimons, Dublin learning city learner
The power of adult education: Addressing rural Kenya's gender divide
4 Kenyans carrying loads on their heads
The power of literacy
sunflower grandmas of Uganda and teacher

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

UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC)
Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL)
Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII)
UIL Learning Hub

Data and knowledge

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

Publications

Bali manifesto, embracing inclusion: a roadmap to lifelong learning for all
2023
UNESCO
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CONFINTEA VII Seventh International Conference on Adult Education : final report; adult learning and education for sustainable development: a transformative agenda
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
2023
UNESCO
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International trends of lifelong learning in higher education: research report
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Shanghai Open University
2023
UNESCO
0000385339
Institutional practices of implementing lifelong learning in higher education: research report
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Shanghai Open University
2023
UNESCO
0000385434
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL): annual report, 2022
UIL
2023
UNESCO
0000384704
From radio to artificial intelligence: review of innovative technology in literacy and education for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons
UIL
2022
UNESCO
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Leveraging innovative technology in literacy and education programmes for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons
UIL
2022
UNESCO
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CONFINTEA VII Marrakech Framework for Action: harnessing the transformational power of adult learning and education
2022
UNESCO
MFA English Cover page UNESDOC
Transforming higher education institutions into lifelong learning institutions
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000382491
The contribution of higher education institutions to lifelong learning: global survey report presented to the UNESCO World Higher Education Conference (WHEC2022)
2022
UNESCO
0000381925
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
Lifelong learning opportunities for all: medium-term strategy 2022–2029
UIL
2022
UNESCO
0000380778