Learning City Derry taps lifelong learning to break the cycle of violence
Northern Ireland’s sectarian violence has faded, but the region still suffers from high rates of domestic and sexual violence. While addressing the root causes, Derry supports victims through adult education.
Reaching young adults: “Genuine dialogue and authentic listening are crucial”
“To truly connect with young people, adult education must place them at the centre, offering spaces where they can express themselves and feel heard,” says Tommaso Caraccioli from the University of Würzburg. With this interview, ELM launches “Young Voices”, a new series highlighting the perspectives of the next generation shaping adult education across Europe.
Fostering civic engagement: Citizens Xelerator in Portugal
As Portugal faces declining support for adult education, initiatives like Citizens Xelerator are more crucial than ever. In Lisbon, women from the association Grandma Came to Work and Citizens Xelerator explored embroidery while developing civic skills and social connections.
I argue: Learner-centred pedagogies about AI can be intellectually oppressive
In ELM’s “I argue” series, Hugo-Henrik Hachem from Linköping University questions the emphasis on promoting critical thinking through learner-centred approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) literacy. He argues for an AI-centred pedagogy that shifts the pedagogical focus from students’ levels of thinking about AI (critical or naïve) to their attention and motivation to study AI.
Teaching media literacy in Palestine: Supporting civil society and democracy
Teaching fact-checking and digital safety is important. The media literacy course organized by Bethlehem University and the Kvs Foundation goes further, fostering active citizenship and strengthening democracy in Palestine. Teacher Tamara Abu Laban and student Natali Nasser Abuayyash share their experiences.
EDITORIAL The stronger adult education, the stronger democracy
In her editorial on the theme of Adult Education and Democracy, ELM Editorial Board member Dina Soeiro emphasises how adult learning—through critical thinking, media literacy and civic engagement—empowers citizens to shape their communities and strengthen democracy.
Beth John: “As educators, our responsibility is to awaken possibilities in our learners“
Our “Meet the board” series introduces the members of ELM Magazine’s editorial board. Our new member, Beth John of Adult Learning Wales, believes in the powerful, transformative role that tutors and lecturers play in supporting adult learners.
Elif Bahar, OECD: “Upskilling demands flexibility, funding and motivation”
Elif Bahar from the OECD stresses the need for workers to update their skills—but how, when time, cost and access are barriers? In her Speakers’ Corner column, Bahar shares possible solutions. The column series is produced in cooperation with the European Association for the Education of Adults.
Project Stories: Empowering career advisors to combat digital exclusion
Gudrun Totland Raddatz from the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration discusses a competency package developed for the employees to help combat digital exclusion among residents.
I argue: We need robot literacy
In ELM’s “I argue“ series, Päivi Rasi-Heikkinen, Professor of Education at the University of Lapland, emphasises the need for robot literacy. “We need to enhance our skills in robot literacy as physical robots become increasingly integrated into our everyday lives,” she asserts.
