This article focus on what is and isn't 'new' in the most recent European Union (EU) key policy document for Adult Learning (AL), because it claims (in its own title) that it will constitute a basis for a 'new' agenda. As this document has been much disseminated to Member States, we think it is important to analyse its evidence of the 'new'…

The German tradition of critical theory (often called the Frankfurt School), represented by such authors as Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, and Oskar Negt, have given crucial contributions to social and cultural theory in investigating and conceptualizing contradictory conditions of modern Western societies. This paper will discuss the ways in…

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched by the United Nations in 2015, established ambitious targets to be achieved by 2030, including in education. SDG 4, which focuses on ensuring "inclusive and equitable quality education and promot[ing] lifelong learning opportunities for all", attracted attention from the adult education…

Adult learning policies, like any other policies, need to be effective: they need to reach their objectives and attain the desired impacts, which should be carefully defined. Understanding the performance of policies allows policy makers to change and improve them. A growing body of research and statistics provides important insights into how…

There is an urgent need to address the social dimension of higher education more forcefully and coherently, particularly in view of the economic downturn across Europe. This is the conclusion of the new Eurydice report, which looks at national policies on access to higher education, funding and student support. The report, covering EU Member…

A new Labour government was elected in May 1997 and wasted no time in signalling its enthusiasm for the education of adults. Secretary of State for Education and Employment David Blunkett gave his first speech in office at the launch of Adult Learners' Week 1997 and announced the creation of a National Advisory Group for Continuing Education and…

Cedefop's report "Learning while working: success stories on workplace learning in Europe" presents an overview of key trends in adult learning in the workplace. It takes stock of previous research carried out by Cedefop between 2003 and 2010 on key topics for adult learning: governance and the learning regions; social partner roles in…

This document, a presentation made at the Second Career Education National Forum, discusses concepts related to increasing the awareness and importance of lifelong education. Three kinds of education--formal, informal, and non-formal--are defined and described in relation to the need for non-restrictive educational settings and attitudes which…

This document presents a series of reflections on the development, mission, and accomplishments of the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (NIACE), which has worked to influence policy concerning adult education and other areas of social and cultural life in the United Kingdom since its founding in 1921 as the British Institute of…

The author summarizes a conference on learning opportunities for older people by discussing six issues: (1) perspectives of older people and service providers; (2) categorization of older learners; (3) learning needs of older people; (4) participation rates; (5) government policies; and (6) curriculum concerns. (SK)

In January 2002, Ireland's minister of state announced the establishment of the National Adult Learning Council to take effect in March 2002. One of the council's priorities will be to establish local adult learning boards (LALBs) to oversee development and delivery of adult education. An Irish government white paper recommended that LALBs'…

In contrast to traditional public administration in which public managers were responsible for meeting service targets set by politicians (e.g. a top-down, bureaucratic approach) and new public management (a more market-driven approach to public service provision that aimed to reduce the reach of government), public value aims to put the…

This book explores the imperatives of a mass system of higher education through data drawn from a British study of access- and foundation-year students and their teachers. Chapter 1 introduces the book's purposes: to describe learning in postcompulsory education and reclamation of lifelong learning as a sociopolitical project in which universities…

Looks at lifelong learning in the United States and its relation to European concepts, notes different perceptions of adult education, and reviews legislation intended to achieve the goals of a learning society. Considers matters of financing, attitudes, and structure and explores trends in American lifelong learning. (MF)

This document explores the United Kingdom's developing practice of recognizing adult students' achievement in ways that make flexible use of the learning outcomes methodology, provide a mix of accredited and non-credited work, and are sensitive to the ethos of adult learning. (That ethos is often characterized by adult students' desire for…