The Week for Lifelong Learning

The Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science and Culture decided to organise an "Adult Learners Week" after UNESCO had encouraged the member states to organise such a festival as part of International Adult Learners Week. The first Week for Lifelong Learning was organised in Iceland at national level in September 2000 and subsequently every year in the second week of September. Previously two days had been dedicated to lifelong learning, in 1996 and in 1999.

The Ministry had set forth a five-year plan in the year 2000, intending to make the festival an annual event in order to raise general awareness of the importance of lifelong learning. For this purpose, the Ministry's task force for lifelong learning established the framework for the activities of the festival, which was developed in more detail by a special committee set up each year for the purpose of deciding on actual events and activities for the Week for Lifelong Learning. The events are organised annually in cooperation with relevant organisations, the general public and target groups.

The main topics or themes of the week have been:
2000 – Education is fun!
2001 - Iceland and the world: languages and computer skills.
2002 – Lifelong Learning for Work.
2003 – Find your own path of learning.
2004 – Don´t just think about it!
2005 – What is stopping you?

EDUCATE Iceland coordinates the project at national level, organising the programme and events for the week. Regional centres for lifelong learning implement the programme in their respective regions with the support of EDUCATE.

EDUCATE - Iceland is a national co-operation forum between the social partners, the education sector, the local authorities and others interested in education and training. The organisation organises various events in the field of education and national level.

Contact information:

EDUCATE – Iceland
Skeifan 8
108 Reykjavik
Iceland

Tel: +354 599 1440
Fax: +354 599 1401
mennt@mennt.is
www.mennt.is

Week for Lifelong Learning
www.mennt.net/simenntun