National Actions To Implement Lifelong Learning In Europe

Recoge: 1. New basic skills for all - 2. More investment in human resources - 3. Innovation in teaching and learning - 4. Valuing learning - 5. Rethinking guidance and counselling - 6. Bringing learning closer to home - 7. Conluding observations.

Based on a 5-year research project conducted by experts in 13 countries, this comprehensive book analyses the ways in which national characteristics frame the Lifelong Learning agenda.

For the European Union, lifelong learning has become a means of achieving both competitiveness and social cohesion in an increasingly knowledge-based and globalised economy. Though the concept of lifelong learning is not new, it now coincides with a period of rapid EU expansion. The research project the book is based on examines how lifelong learning is understood and operationalised, especially in countries within the area of the EU's expansion. Europe, its policy-makers and peoples, need to know whether lifelong learning can contribute to the construction of a European identity - and if so, how. The research points to the importance of diverse national contexts, which suggests a single model of lifelong learning across the EU is unlikely to be achieved. While the EU may encourage a common policy, and this may generate significant national policy developments, these will be strongly influenced by national context: institutional, political, social, ideological. Many countries will continue - consciously or unconsciously - to "pick and choose" between different EU priorities.

This book critically reflects on the context in which lifelong learning policies and practices are organized in Europe with contributions of researchers and policy makers in the field. Through a critical lens the book reinterprets the core content of the messages that are conveyed by the European Commission in the “Memorandum for Lifelong Learning”, the most important policy document in the area, which after a decade from its publication still remains the vehicle for all current developments in lifelong learning in Europe. With references to research findings, proposed actions, and applications to immediate practice that have an added value for Europeans –but which either do not appear to correspond directly to what is stipulated by the European Commission, or are completely ignored as part of the lifelong learning process– the book offers an analytic and systematic outlook of the main challenges in creating the ‘European Area of Lifelong Learning’. In times as decisive as the ones we are going through today (both in social and economic terms), a critical perspective of the practices and policies adopted by the EU Member States is essential. The book follows the same structure as the Memorandum in order to debate and critically approach in separate sections the core issues that Europe faces today in relation to the idea of making a ‘European area of Lifelong Learning’. ​

"The publication...consists of two parts: 1)Commission Communication adopted on 21 November 2001, "Making a European Area of lifelong learning a reality" COM (2001) 678 and 2)"Lifelong learning - indicators and practice" which is based on the Commission staff working document (28 November 2001) entitled "Lifelong learning-practice and indicators' SEC (2001) 1939"--[P.] 2 of cover.

This book explores European governance and policy coordination within lifelong learning markets. Using an instruments approach, the editors and contributors examine the ways in which governance mechanisms employed by the European Union influence policy to regulate lifelong learning, and intervene in lifelong learning markets, at both European and national levels. Filling an important gap in the current literature, this book examines how strengthened policy coordination at the EU level contributed to the blurring of boundaries between policy fields and the redefinition of the function of adult education after the 2008 recession. Divided into three parts, this book draws on a range of case studies from countries including Spain, Denmark, Bulgaria and the UK. It will be of interest and value to students and scholars of education policy and governance, adult education and lifelong learning.

Recoge: 1. New basic skills for all - 2. More investment in human resources - 3. Innovation in teaching and learning - 4. Valuing learning - 5. Rethinking guidance and counselling - 6. Bringing learning closer to home - 7. Conluding observations.