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.

EAEA President Uwe Gartenschlaeger has a strong message to practitioners in adult learning and education: you’re essential.

Adult educators face a lot of challenges around the world – and so do their societies. There’s “no solution without adult education” to major shifts such as climate change, the just transition, migration and societal integration, argues Gartenschlaeger, who has led the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) since 2019.

“Adult education is more needed than ever,” says Gartenschlaeger, adding that adult education may not save the world, but it is certainly an essential part of every solution.

As he sees it, the main concern facing the field of adult education in the next decades is that it is still not recognised by many decision-makers and others as a full-fledged, integral part of the educational system.

“We still have front-loaded funding of education, where formal education in the first 20-25 years receives more than 90% of the budget in most – if not all – European countries. We have to change this,” asserts Gartenschlaeger. He points out that this funding shortfall affects people in general, as specifically adult educators who aren’t fairly paid, and in many countries lack job security.

Gartenschlaeger has worked around the world for three decades with DVV, Europe’s largest organisation on the field of adult learning and education, also including stints in Russia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.

What, then, is the solution to the recognition and funding problem?

Gartenschlaeger has a clear answer: advocacy.

“We have to fight for it,” he says. In his view, educators must make it clear that if we want a better world, peace and democracy and a fair chance for everyone, then we need lifelong and adult learning.

“Adult education is an integral part of lifelong learning, and it needs its fair share of funding,” says Gartenschlaeger.

The interview was conducted at the EAEA conference in Helsinki in June 2024.

To explore further, view the videos related to this article:

In video 1, Uwe Gartenschlaeger talks about his main message to practitioners in the ALE field.

In video 2, Uwe Gartenschlaeger discusses the main concern in ALE in the next decades.

In video 3, Uwe Gartenschlaeger proposes his solution to this main concern.

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