In 2009, the sixth UNESCO World Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) took place in Brazil. From 25 to 27 October 2017, more than 400 state and civil society representatives from around 100 countries met in Suwon, South Korea, for the CONFINTEA VI Mid-Term Review. During the conference an assessment was made and progress and challenges in the implementation of the CONFINTEA process were discussed. DVV International contributed its positions and experiences in various forums.
The three-day conference was organised by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in cooperation with the South Korean cities of Suwon and Osan. Eight years ago, at CONFINTEA VI in Brazil, UN member states adopted the so-called Belém Framework for Action. The aim of the Mid-Term Review was to reflect on the implementation of this framework with a large group of experts. Thus, reference was also especially made to current global strategy papers and frameworks: the third Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE III), the Recommendations on Learning and Education (RALE) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including its Education Agenda 2030.
“The inter-sectoral approach plays a key role in accentuating the opportunities adult education can enhance in the context of the global sustainability goals because adult education has a positive impact on many areas, such as health, the economy and development in the community and in social affairs,” explained Christoph Jost, head of DVV International, while commenting on the situation analysis of the Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE III).
On the eve of the conference, the International Adult Education Council (ICAE) organised a Civil Society Forum, which included DVV International. The results were incorporated in the Mid-term Review in the form of a Civil Society Statement. An important demand from the perspective of civil society is that adult education is clearly recognised as the weakest link in the lifelong learning chain and can thus be secured. This requires an understanding of education which is inclusive.
A final report on the conference, of which former head of DVV International Heribert Hinzen was part of the drafting team, is currently being prepared and will be appearing shortly.
In addition, DVV International organised two of its own events: In one side event on “Adult Education Centres – Key Structures for Lifelong Learning and Development”, international panelists from Asia, Africa and Europe discussed the worldwide significance of adult education centres. And directly following the conference, an initial workshop for experts on “Branding Adult Education” was organised under the leadership of Anja Thöne, DVV International’s Senior Marketing Manager. The process which has thus been initiated should develop and position adult education globally as a recognisable brand.
Further information and documents for download:
Conference Programme (PDF)
Civil Society Statement (PDF)
Information about the DVV International side even (PDF)
Blog post by Timothy Ireland on the CONFINTEA Mid-Term Review
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