DVV International commemorates Prof. Dr. Paul Bélanger, who made a significant contribution to international adult learning and education (ALE) throughout his professional life. Born on 19th March 1939, he passed away on 31st January 2025.
Paul Bélanger is widely recognised for his leadership as Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in Hamburg. He enjoyed living in Germany, had a deep appreciation for the country's Volkshochschulen, and maintained close connections with colleagues and friends at DVV International.
He was the architect behind CONFINTEA V (the UNESCO World Conference on Adult Education), where he served as Secretary. Together with Prof. Süssmuth, who served as President, they used their diplomatic expertise and skills to ensure the adoption of the Hamburg Declaration on Adult Learning as the Agenda for the Future. The idea of the right to lifelong learning for all adults was born.
Later, as President of the International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), he strengthened the voice of civil society in global education policy for over a decade.
Paul Bélanger was also a strong advocate for the importance of ALE in lifelong learning. When the European Union was working towards the European Memorandum of Lifelong Learning, he, as UNESCO Director, and Rita Süssmuth, as President of the German Parliament and of the German Adult Education Association (DVV), actively supported the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) in Brussels to persuade the EU Commission to strengthen ALE provision. The follow-up EU Communication "It is Never Too Late to Learn" was an important outcome.
In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame in 2006, alongside Rita Süssmuth, Joachim H. Knoll, and Heribert Hinzen.
After returning to Canada, he continued his work as a professor, dedicating himself to research and teaching. One of his notable studies, Self-construction and Social Transformation: Lifelong, Lifewide, and Life-deep Learning, was dedicated to his wife and grandchildren.
DVV International honors his legacy and his lifelong commitment to adult education.