The strategic role of adult learning and non-formal education was vigorously underscored in an overwhelming consensus by CONFINTEA V in 1997: with literacy as its core and foundational component, adult learning and non-formal education were recognized as crucial elements of lifelong and life-wide learning processes and as key tools to address global challenges in relation to democracy, peace and human rights, respect for diversity and conflict resolution, economic and ecological sustainability and workforce development. Sector-wide strategies, hence, must take account of adult learning and non-formal education, and should seek their integration and articulation with formal approaches.

UIL's adult learning and non-formal education programme is closely aligned with other current international development and education frameworks, in particular the Education for All (EFA) agenda, the United National Literacy Decade (UNLD), the Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE), as well as overall with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

All of UIL's activities in the area of adult learning and non-formal education are based on this rationale, which will equally guide the preparatory process for CONFINTEA VI. The coordination of the preparation of CONFINTEA VI, including the cooperation with a Consultative Group, thematic and national/regional reviews, and the development of benchmarks forms the major focus of UIL's adult education programme.

UIL also continues to support national and/or regional Adult Learners' Weeks and Learning Festivals as an advocacy campaign for adult and lifelong learning in - currently –approximately 45 countries around the world. The growing involvement of adult learners in policy and programme development is one key factor of this movement.

Another area of work is policy-oriented research on education in prisons through the documentation of good examples of adult and non-formal education policies and practices.

Contact: Bettina Bochynek

Towards CONFINTEA VI (2009)
Documents of the previous CONFINTEA V (1997)
International Adult Learners Week
Education in Prisons