The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is pleased to announce the publication of its Second Global Report on Adult Learning and Education - Rethinking Literacy. The first GRALE was published in December 2009 to coincide with the Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI). The outcome document of that conference, the Belém Framework for Action, which was adopted by 144 UNESCO Member States, stipulated that UIL should conduct "a monitoring process at the global level to take stock and report periodically on progress in adult learning and education". This report is the result of that monitoring process for the period 2010–2012. The print publication will be available in English, French and Spanish, and will be launched in all five UNESCO regions, starting with Asia and the Pacific (Jakarta) on 20–22 August 2013.
Drawing on data received from 141 countries, most in the form of a quantitative reporting template, the Report reviews progress in implementing the Belém Framework for Action. It focuses on the five key themes identified in Belém – policy, governance, financing, participation and quality – and examines in particular detail the transversal theme of adult literacy. It reveals that, while many of the same challenges remain, several of the core messages of the Belém Framework have found their way into national policy debates and reform processes.
Perhaps the most important message that emerges from this report is that lifelong and life-wide learning offers the most promising perspective to address the challenge of adult literacy.
Second Global Report on Adult Learning and Education - Rethinking Literacy (PDF).

The influence of cities in national and world affairs has increased considerably in recent years. This is partly due to the growth in the number of city dwellers. Since 2008, the majority of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2030, the proportion is likely to exceed 60 per cent.
As cities expand in size and population density, local governments are facing challenges associated with social inclusion, new technologies, the knowledge economy, cultural diversity and environmental sustainability.
In response, a growing number of cities are developing innovative strategies that allow their citizens – young and old – to learn new skills and competencies throughout life, thereby transforming their cities into ‘learning cities’. Read more...

Within the scope of the EC-funded PromoDoc project, a series of targeted appointments will be organised between European higher education institutions and research institutes and potential doctoral candidates in South Korea, in both Seoul and Busan.
The event runs over four days (two days in Seoul and two in Busan) and will include information sessions in the morning and scheduled appointments between potential doctoral candidates and representatives from European higher education institutions and research institutes in the afternoon. A briefing session and networking reception will be held for institutional participants on 27 September 2013.
European higher education institutions are invited to apply for participation before 14 June 2013.
For further information, the draft programme, application forms and the eligibility criteria, please visit the event website.
For more information on the project, please visit the PromoDoc website.

Un pôle de coopération interuniversitaire à l'échelle européenne
Lieu de réflexion stratégique composé des dix présidents des universités du Grand Ouest présentes dans les 4 régions de Bretagne, Limousin, Pays de la Loire et Poitou-Charentes, le Réseau des Universités de l'Ouest Atlantique (RUOA) poursuit des projets d'intérêt commun avec l'ambition d'un positionnement national et européen.
Fondé en 2001 par l'addition des compétences des établissements dans le respect de leurs identités, il lui appartient de mettre ses ressources et expertises scientifiques et pédagogiques au service des acteurs économiques et sociaux, notamment des collectivités territoriales.
Il constitue un instrument d'échange d'informations, de coordination des politiques scientifiques et pédagogiques des établissements, ainsi que de coopération sur des projets communs.
Il offre ainsi une vitrine de choix à destination du public de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche, en vue de favoriser le développement d'une véritable identité « Universités de l'Ouest », gage d'une dynamique au bénéfice de l'intérêt commun.
Présentation du RUOA
Son fonctionnement, sa mission, ses réalisations.
Benchmark à l'échelle européenne des structures de coopération interuniversitaire
Comment contribuer, à l'échelle européenne, à une meilleure lisibilité et articulation des activités des « Universités de l'Ouest » alors même que l'on assiste à une multiplication des structures de coopération et au regroupement d'établissements ?
Pour y répondre, les Présidents des 10 universités membres du RUOA ont décidé de lancer un projet visant à identifier des structures de coopération interuniversitaire présentes en Europe et de déterminer la valeur ajoutée de modèles de coopération.
Ce projet s'inscrit dans une démarche participative entre notamment les universités membres du RUOA et ses partenaires (ex : les PRES du Grand Ouest, les Conseils Régionaux, Nantes Métropole, la DATAR).
Il s'agira ensuite de formuler des options stratégiques visant à clarifier le positionnement du RUOA au sein du paysage universitaire.
en savoir plus
more information
A compter de Mai 2013, vous pouvez consulter les résultats de l'enquête européenne sur la "mise en place de structures de coopération territoriale dans l'enseignement supérieur et la recherche" :
version française / version anglaise {Enquête réalisée de juillet à novembre 2012}.
Les effets de la Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE) sur les parcours professionnels à l'échelle du RUOA
Alors que la formation tout au long de la vie est un concept européen en plein développement, les universités du RUOA ont décidé de conduire une réflexion commune sur sa place et ses pratiques dans leurs établissements.
A cet égard, le dispositif de Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE), institué par la loi de modernisation sociale en 2002, participe de cette réflexion. En effet, il offre à toute personne la possibilité de convertir son expérience professionnelle et personnelle en diplôme, à tout moment de sa vie.
Le RUOA a donc impulsé un nouveau projet d'envergure interrégionale et interuniversitaire visant à étudier les effets de la Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (VAE) sur les parcours professionnels, à l'échelle du RUOA .
Durée du projet : 6 mois (Mars 09 à Août 09)
Groupe de travail référent : "Formation Tout au Long de la Vie" (FTLV)
Pour consulter les résultats de l'étude => "Les effets de la VAE sur les parcours professionnels à l'échelle du RUOA".

The Network of Universities of the Western Atlantic (RUOA), a French non-profit organisation, has been running a project entitled “EU benchmark of interuniversity cooperation structures”.
As part of this initiative, 25 subnational and crossborder cooperation structures from Western Europe have taken part in a survey between July and November 2012.
More information on the findings of the survey is available here.
More information on the Network of Universities of the Western Atlantic (RUOA) is available on the RUOA website.

The Irish Universities Association (IUA) recently announced the findings of a survey which looked at the impact of the fast track scientific visa scheme in Ireland.
According to the IUA, “over the last six years, 1 720 researchers from 78 different countries have come to Ireland using the fast track Scientific Visa which is part of the Commission drive to create a European Research Area”. The scheme is operated by the EURAXESS Ireland office based in the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and supported by government through the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and with the close involvement of immigration authorities. Read more...

The Egracons (European Grade Conversion System) project aims to facilitate exchange mobility by working out a conversion system based on ECTS grade conversion tables as used in the ECTS Users’ Guide.
The project, which is cofunded by the EC, aims to “create tools to enable an accurate interpretation of marks (or grades) given abroad and a fair and manageable conversion of these marks to a local mark in the home institution”.
As part of the project, the organisers are carrying out a survey of higher education institutions in Europe. The survey is open to staff with authority on grade conversions and recognition at the institutional, faculty or departmental level within HEIs.
The information gathered from the answers will be used “to draw up both institutional and country reports for the whole of Europe and work out the final specifications for the Egracons online tool for grading conversion”.
The survey is available online and the deadline is 1 August 2013.
More information about the project, comprised of a consortium of partners from across Europe, is available here.

Universities UK has published a new report which examines the impact of significant changes that have taken place in UK higher education since 2011.
These include the introduction of new fee levels in 2012-2013 and changes to the funding of undergraduate students, as well as immigration reforms that have affected the UK's universities.
The report, entitled “The funding environment for universities: an assessment” looks at the implications of these developments for the future funding and financial sustainability of UK universities.
Download the full report here.

The Moodle Research Conference 2013 (MRC 2013) will take place in Sousse, Tunisia, from 4 to 5 October 2013.
The MRC is an annual event dedicated to research and development (R&D) in learning and teaching carried out with Moodle (open-source software). The event is an opportunity for academics, researchers, experts and practitioners who use Moodle and perform research and development to share experiences and exchange research achievements.
To find out more about the Moodle Research Conference 2013, please visit this website.
The Research Conference follows the Mediterranean Moodle Moot Conference, which takes place from 2 to 3 October.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published the latest (2013) edition of its “Education at a Glance – OECD Indicators” publication, which provides data on the structure, finances and performance of the education systems in more than 40 countries, including OECD members and G20 partners.
More information, including country notes and key fact tables are available on this website.
The full publication is also available for download here.