A Policy Dialogue on Adult and Lifelong Learning, is being co-organised by the UNESCO Institute for Education Hamburg, the UNESCO office in New Delhi and the National Literacy Mission of India. The meeting is to be hosted by the State Literacy Mission of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and will be held in Hyderabad on 7-10 April 2002. The following countries will be participating:  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, People's Republic of Lao, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. In addition to UNESCO Member States a few international organisations and resource persons will be invited.

The aim of the policy dialogue is to promote the exchange of ideas and information on how  countries within the region have formulated adult and lifelong learning policies, put into effect programmes and practices in order to meet the basic learning needs and aspirations of adult women and men. It will provide concrete examples of new and innovative approaches in literacy, post-literacy, non-formal adult and lifelong learning and analyse factors that have contributed to successful or not so successful outcomes of these polices and programmes. In accordance with the recommendations laid down by the 1997 Fifth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA V) and the Dakar Framework of Action, we would like to review the progress made and put forward priorities for future co-operation and joint action.

Three policy areas will be the focus of  the thematic sessions:

• Policy responses to meeting adult learning needs. In this thematic session there will be a discussion of the different innovative, creative intersectoral approaches Member States are adopting in their adult learning programmes to cover all learning needs through as many modalities as possible, integrating formal, non-formal and informal approaches, and addressing social, personal, labour-market  needs and requirements.

• Providing institutional support for effective delivery of adult and lifelong learning. This thematic session will examine various approaches and institutional arrangements for motivating adults to learn, such as linking formal, non-formal and informal learning; recognising prior experiences; promoting alternative modes of learning, such as distance and open learning and media education;  establishing  infrastructures and systems of adult and lifelong learning; creating literate/learning environments, developing partnerships, financing and information.

• Evaluation and Monitoring: Developing Indicators that identify holistic and expanded vision of  adult learning. This thematic session will deal with the question of how Member States are improving statistical information and developing indicators pertaining to literacy, post-literacy, non-formal education, adult and lifelong learning for imparting quality education for all, emphasising  learning outcomes and  knowledge of life skills.

The conference will be supported by issue papers, background documents, and presentations by country delegates and invited experts. A draft Reference Manual which maps innovative policies, programmes and practices in adult learning in the Asian Region since the 1990s has been prepared and circulated for further improvements in the content of the report.  

Coordinating this policy dialogue is Dr. Ms. Madhu Singh, Senior Programme Specialist .