Lifelong Learning and Government.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), is a fully-fledged  international, UNESCO Institute.

UIL is based in Germany and  "promotes and supports lifelong learning with a focus on adult learning, continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. Its activities place particular emphasis on furthering educational equity for disadvantaged groups and in the countries most afflicted by poverty and conflict. "

"The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation that works to build better policies for better lives." 

The OECD is comprised of 38 member countries.  These member states work together to find solutions to all types of social and economic challenges .

One matter of great importance to the OECD is education.  Consequently,  the organization has presented a number of policy papers on this subject. One of the cornerstones of OECD education policy is the concept of Lifelong Learning.  

In the wake of World War I, a sense of urgency and responsibility pervaded the global community. It was apparent that new standards of work, living conditions, and workers’ rights were necessary for global peace and prosperity. In 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) was born as a tripartite agency tasked with bringing together the governments, employers, and workers of the world.

For over a century, the ILO has been a beacon of hope for millions of workers. It has championed labour standards, developed policies, and devised programmes that promote decent work for all men and women. Its mission has remained the same: to create a world where everyone has access to opportunities for growth and prosperity.

Throughout its history, the ILO has been at the forefront of transformative global changes. From ending child labour to promoting fair pay, the organization has consistently led the way in promoting workers’ rights and better labour conditions. It has set international standards on everything from working hours and leave to gender equality and child protection.

The ILO is a shining example of what is possible when governments, employers, and workers come together for a common goal. Its tripartite approach to labour issues has allowed for comprehensive and inclusive decision-making, ensuring that all perspectives are heard and that the needs of everyone are taken into account.

As we look to the future, the ILO will continue to be a key player in creating a better world for all workers. Its work is critical in promoting social justice, peace, and prosperity, and in helping to build a brighter, more equitable world for future generations.

The World Economic Forum was founded in 1971, as a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to bringing political, business, cultural and other societal leaders together, to develop "solutions to the world's greatest challenges."

Part of the WEF's mission statement on "Education, Skills and Learning" states that the organization aims; "...to provide ways for the public and private sectors to collaborate on preparing workers of every age for technological disruption, and to help revamp education and training models in ways that better prepare individuals to be active members of the economy and society."

The journey to creating the EEA started in 2017 when European leaders at the Social Summit in Gothenburg, Sweden, endorsed the idea of a united education area. Fast forward to 2018 and 2019, and the EEA saw the adoption of the first packages of measures.

Decades of close cooperation have already yielded fantastic results. Almost 95% of children attend early childhood education from the age of four. More than 40% of young adults now acquire higher education qualifications, and nearly 90% of young people are either graduating with upper secondary diplomas or enrolling in training. Not to mention, 80% of recent Erasmus+ graduates gained employment in less than three months after graduating!

One significant area of focus is improving the share of 15-year-olds with low abilities in reading, maths, and science. We're also committed to boosting adult participation in learning.

"The Lifelong Learning Platform" is an organization which acts as a hub for thousands of educational, social and governmental organizations in Europe, with the goal studying and proposing ways to modernize existing education systems and making "lifelong learning a reality for all."

According to ALAs web site:

ALA is committed to ensuring that all Australians can access the benefits of lifelong and lifewide learning

Adult Learning Australia (ALA) is the largest national peak body for adult and community education (ACE). We are a not-for-profit entity that has been in operation for more than 60 years, with both organisational and individual members in all states and territories who reflect the diversity of adult and community education. ALA is primarily funded by membership dues, subscriptions and project revenues.

Like most other governments, the Canadian Government is committed to ensuring that its diverse population  is educated and trained to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century and beyond. 

Read more on the Statistics Canada website.

LINCS: Empowering Adult Learners

Imagine having the opportunity to change the course of your life through education. As an adult learner, it can be a daunting task to go back to school, but it doesn't have to be. That's where the Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) comes in.

LINCS is a national leadership initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), designed to help adult learners transition to postsecondary education and 21st century jobs. OCTAE's commitment to delivering high-quality educational opportunities to practitioners of adult education is demonstrated through LINCS' various components.

The LINCS Resource Collection is a comprehensive database of vetted resources for adult education practitioners, providing the necessary tools for them to be effective teachers and coaches. LINCS Community is an online community of practice that allows adult educators to share ideas, discuss trends, and seek support from fellow practitioners.

The Learning Portal offers online courses specifically designed for adult education practitioners, covering a wide range of topics such as English as a second language (ESL), digital literacy, and career pathways. These courses are accessible on-demand and offer flexible learning opportunities.

For State Resource departments, LINCS offers professional development and technical assistance opportunities to ensure States are informed about current and past Federal initiatives, enabling them to design and implement effective programs for adult learners.

Finally, LINCS also provides a comprehensive set of resources for adult learners themselves. The Learner Center provides access to tools and resources to help them develop critical thinking, literacy, and numeracy skills.

In conclusion, LINCS is a powerful tool designed to empower adult learners and practitioners alike, providing them with access to essential resources and knowledge to transform their lives through education.