On 4 April 2016, the President of UNESCO’s General Conference, Mr Stanley Mutumba Simataa, and UNESCO’s Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, will sign two international recommendations on education: the Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education and the Recommendation Concerning Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
These recommendations respond to Member States’ request for international instruments that reflect current educational, social, economic, cultural and political trends. The recommendations, which were adopted by Member States at the 38th session of the General Conference in Paris in November 2015, are the most up-to-date and comprehensive tools for decision-makers, practitioners, social partners, civil society and other stakeholders in the two complementary areas of adult learning and education (ALE) and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The new Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education supersedes the 1976 Recommendation on the Development of Adult Education. Taking into account the rapidly changing world in which we live, the recommendation sets out guiding principles and a comprehensive approach to promoting and developing ALE worldwide. The Recommendation Concerning Technical and Vocational Education and Training also responds to new trends as it provides an integrated and holistic approach to TVET, ensuring the promotion of a broad spectrum of knowledge, skills and competencies for work and life. The two recommendations will be used around the world to guide the transformation and expansion of equitable learning opportunities for youth and adults.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) has played a central role in the revision of the Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education, as proposed by UNESCO’s International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA) in 1997 and 2009. Member States are requested to continuously implement the Recommendation while reinforcing international cooperation. The CONFINTEA process with its regular reporting towards the Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) is instrumental for monitoring the activities undertaken by Member States. The third GRALE report will be published later this year.
