As a tool for change, the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) has published 'Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century'. It sets objectives for creating a Learning Europe: a Europe that is able to tackle the future positively and with all necessary skills, knowledge and competences.
The Manifesto is targeted at European, national and regional policy makers to learn about the benefits of adult learning. It can also be useful for European education providers in advocacy work.
Download the PDF version of the publication in English or in German.
Download a one-pager in Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian.
The manifesto presents seven contemporary European challenges in which adult learning can answer:
Active citizenship, democracy and participation. People who participate in adult education have more trust in the political system, participate more in society, by voting, by volunteering or taking active roles in communities.
Life skills for individuals. Adult learners feel healthier, lead healthier lifestyles, build new social networks and experience improved well-being.
Social cohesion, equity and equality. Adult education provides many opportunities to equalise societies on a larger scale and to create fairer societies as well as more economic growth.
Employment and digitalization. Workplace learning is one of the key drivers for adults’ participation in lifelong learning. At the cusp of enormous digital changes, adult education can help in closing the digital gap.
Migration and demographic change. Civic education and intercultural learning can create integration-friendly cultures. Language and basic skills training will enable migrants to become active citizens in their new home countries. Learning seniors are more active, volunteer more, work longer and are healthier.
Sustainability. From environmentally friendly consumption and transport to energy efficiency, European citizens need a lot of information and innovative spaces to develop new lifestyles, new projects, new approaches. Adult education can help provide the information, the debate spaces and the creativity.
European policies. Adult education contributes to main European strategies in the field of growth, employment, innovation, equity, social cohesion, active citizenship, poverty reduction, climate change, internal market, migration, peace and more.
The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) is the voice of non-formal adult education in Europe. EAEA is a European NGO with 137 member organisations in 44 countries and represents more than 60 million learners Europe-wide. DVV International is a member of EAEA and represented on its Executive Board through Esther Hirsch, Acting Director of the Institute.
Text: EAEA, DVV International
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