It is always a good time to learn

To mark three years of intensive European cooperation in the field of adult learning policy and to review the results achieved through implementation of the Adult Learning Action Plan, the European Commission is organising a conference to take stock of progress and to discuss future needs and actions. The conference will be held on 7-9 March 2011 in Budapest. This venue has been chosen to coincide with the first Hungarian Presidency of the European Union. View the summary of outcomes here.
Adult learning is a vital component of European Union education policies, as it is essential for competitiveness and employability, social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development across Europe. The challenge is to provide opportunities for all, especially the most disadvantaged groups who need learning most. The European Union is fully aware that an effective adult learning sector is vital to our economy and society for the next decade. Over the past ten years it has taken a strong lead in encouraging Member States to make lifelong learning the basic principle underlying education and training. Given demographic patterns in Europe, it is urgent to extend learning opportunities over the adult life-course, offering all adults possibilities to renew their skills and competences for life and work as the need arises.

Conference documents:

• Conference Background document
• Agenda of the conference
• Working Group Report
• COMMISSION STAFF WORKING PAPER, Action Plan on Adult Learning: Achievements and results 2008-2010

Documents to download:

• Communication from the European Commission, Adult learning: It is always a good time to learn (2007)
• Council conclusions of 22 May 2008
• Communication from the European Commission, Adult learning: It is never too late to learn (2006)

Reports and studies:

• Study on European Terminology in Adult Learning for a common language and common understanding and monitoring of the sector
• Changing patterns of working, learning and career development across Europe
• Enabling the low skilled to take their qualifications "one step up"
• Key competences for adult learning professionals
• Assessment of the impact of ongoing reforms in education and training on adult learning
• Key competences in Europe: opening doors for lifelong learners
• Adult Learning Professions in Europe
• The role of higher education institutions as providers of continuous professional learning and adult education
• Summary from workshop on higher education and adult learning
• Impact of ongoing reforms in education and training on the adult learning sector
• Thematic Report – Validation in the Higher Education Sector
• Communication from the European Commission, Adult learning: It is always a good time to learn (2007)
• Council conclusions of 22 May 2008
• Communication from the European Commission, Adult learning: It is never too late to learn (2006)

Read more:

• Peer learning activities in adult education

Country Reports

• Country report LT
• Country report LU
• Country report SE
• Country report SI
• Country report UK
• Country report LI
• Country report MT
• Country_Report CY
• Country report AT
• Country report CZ
• Country report FI
• Country report HR
• Country Report HU
• Country report IE
• Country report DE
• Country report DK
• Country report EL
• Country report IS
• Country report LV
• Country report NO
• Country report SK