Transforming PIAAC results into action: On what to focus
The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, the OECD’s International Assessment of Adult Competencies on literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills, paints a polarised picture between high- and low-performing countries. Data reveals a pressing need for policymakers to focus on lifelong and life-wide learning to ensure that education is more adaptive to evolving demands.
What role can companies play in civic education?
As political trust wanes and populism rises, there are calls for Europe’s corporate sector to step up. The Civic Scouts at Work programme empowers employees to promote democracy through civic education in corporate training. Can corporate social responsibility help adult learners cope with policy changes in Europe?
I argue: The Covid years reiterated the importance of lifelong learning
In ELM’s "I argue" series, Dr. Satya Brink, a Canadian researcher, states that the negative social impacts of the Covid years on disadvantaged and older adults could have been mitigated by lifelong learning.
Paolo Federighi on micro-credentials: Progress toward equality, but equity remains elusive
They provide affordable and flexible learning opportunities, but do they truly promote equity and inclusivity? “Not quite yet,” says Paolo Federighi, Honorary Professor of Adult Education at the University of Florence, in reference to the much-debated micro-credentials.
Estonians’ belief: Education is the gateway to enhanced living
Could the outstanding results in Estonia’s general education be translated into adult education? In her column, Maie Kitsing explores the four pillars of the country’s education system. Kitsing serves as Advisor at the General Education Department at the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research.
Christoph Bretgeld: “We must talk about skills, not titles”
In his Speakers’ Corner column, Christoph Bretgeld argues that we must develop our perception of skills and acknowledge their roles as carriers of more accurate information. This would lead to better-functioning labour markets. Speakers’ Corner columns are produced in cooperation with the European Association for the Education of Adults.
ICAE’s Guevara: Flexibility and partnering needed in adult education policy
“Given the diverse nature of post-schooling education, we need flexibility in adult education policy, not rigid structures,” argues Robbie Guevara, President of International Council for Adult Education and Associate Professor at RMIT University in Melbourne.
Empowering people with disabilities in politics
A German initiative offers citizenship education to people with disabilities, fostering their active participation in political life. “I've realised what rights I have and that my opinion counts,” says one student.
Project Stories: Peer literacy outreach in prisons
Derv Ryan from Irish NALA discusses the Literacy Ambassador Programme, which supports people who struggle with reading and writing to outreach to their peers. Since 2022, NALA has run the programme in ten prisons.
Uwe Gartenschlaeger: Adult education is essential to tackle societal challenges
“If we want to live in peace and democracy, if we want to give everybody a fair chance not to be left behind, we need lifelong learning and adult learning,” says Uwe Gartenschlaeger, President of the EAEA.
