The first International Conference on Learning Cities, which was co-organised by UNESCO, the Ministry of Education of China and Beijing Municipal Government, took place from 21–23 October, 2013 in Beijing. The aim of this conference was to mobilize cities to promote lifelong learning for all as a vector of equality and social justice, social cohesion and sustainable prosperity. The specific objectives of the conference were:

• Adoption of the Beijing Declaration on Building Learning Cities and the Key Features of Learning Cities; and

• Exchange of best practices in building...

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) contributes to the Global Inventory of National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) which is prepared by two EU agencies, the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) , and two UNESCO units, UNESCO’s section for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (UNESCO-TVET), and UIL.

It has been produced at the request of the...

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) published its second Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 2) in 2013. Drawing on data and reports from 141 countries , GRALE 2 was the first international report to monitor progress in promoting adult learning and education (ALE) since countries adopted the 2009 Belém Framework for Action . The...

Qualification systems across the globe are generally well equipped to deal with learning acquired in institutional settings. However, one of the greatest challenges is how to recognise learning that occurs outside the formal education sector.

UIL’s new book, Linking Recognition Practices and National Qualifications Frameworks, edited by Madhu Singh and Ruud Duvekot, tackles this challenge. The recognition, validation and accreditation (RVA) of learning in formal, non-formal, and informal settings is examined within a variety of national and regional contexts.

It...

The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) has published a research study titled “Literacy and Women’s Empowerment: Stories Of Success And Inspiration” in contribution to the International Literacy Day on 8 September 2013.

The study describes promising approaches to developing literacy and learning for women, who are the majority of the world’s non-literate adults. Key success factors are identified to outline concrete recommendations on how to achieve literacy and empowerment of women...

Global National Qualifications Framework Inventory - Prepared for ASEM Education Ministers Conference , Kuala Lumpur, 13-14 May 2013 (ASEMME 4)

‘This glossary will support policymakers, researchers and practitioners involved in youth and adult education in Latin America and other Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries and can lead to a new way of developing youth and adult education in these countries,’ commented Arne Carlsen, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.

A pioneer project has developed a Spanish and Portuguese glossary with new terms and concepts in lifelong learning. The glossary is intended to be used in youth and adult education in Latin...

The global mid-term evaluation report on UNESCO’s Literacy Initiative for Empowerment (LIFE, 2006-2015), produced by UIL on the basis of national and regional mid-term evaluation processes and reports, is now available online. It seeks to contribute to the effective implementation of the initiative through to 2015.

The report shows mixed results with regard to progress in literacy. The majority of the 35 LIFE countries recorded an increase in adult literacy rates – by on average 3.1 percentage points compared to the global average of 1.9 percentage points over the...

The book gives an account of the research conducted in the independent evaluation of the New Opportunities Initiative (NOI), one of the largest Portuguese governmental programmes in recent decades to upgrade qualifications. The NOI demonstrates that the recognition of non-formal and informal learning is crucial in order to improve the competences needed in our societies today. This book reflects on the NOI and its potential for societies in Europe and the rest of the world.

The publication is based on a solid foundation of empirical evidence, encompassing seven papers subjected...

UIL and ADEA present the results of a comprehensive stocktaking research project that assesses the experiences of mother tongue and bilingual formal and non-formal education in 25 sub-Saharan African countries as well as the creation of multilingual literate environments.

The authors of the study highlight that improvements in educational quality and learning outcomes derive from strong multilingual language models and socio-culturally relevant curricula which use African languages as media of instruction for at least six years. Further, they make the case that locally-based...