Adult learning and education (ALE) thrive when supported by robust, inclusive partnerships. At the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Conference in Florence, the Working Group 10 (WG10) on Cooperation and Stakeholder Engagement for Adult Learning Education, mentored by Alfredo Soeiro (IACEHOF 2006), explored how collaboration across sectors can strengthen the ALE ecosystem at local, national, and international levels.
Facilitated by the Secretary General of the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA), the group approached cooperation as both a structural necessity and a strategic opportunity—discussions centered on outreach, diversity, policy influence, and institutional frameworks for stakeholder engagement.
Framing the Dialogue: Two Dimensions of Cooperation
The session was divided into two main themes:
- Community Engagement and Outreach:
- How do we engage diverse communities in adult education?
- What models exist for inclusive, effective outreach?
- How can community-level efforts be scaled and sustained?
- Policy and Structural Alignment:
- How can ALE stakeholders work together to influence policy?
- What mechanisms support long-term cooperation across sectors and levels?
- How can we embed ALE within national development strategies?
This dual approach allowed the group to examine grassroots action and high-level coordination, acknowledging the interdependence of practice and policy.
Case Studies and Models of Cooperation
Several projects and national strategies were shared to illustrate effective stakeholder collaboration:
· Slovenia’s National Lifelong Learning Strategy: Developed with the Ministry of Education and key stakeholders. It features an annual education plan, regional coordinators, and structured partnerships between government, civil society, and learning providers. It promotes data sharing, peer learning, and social learning initiatives during Lifelong Learning Week.
· The United States Federal-State Coordination highlights the role of community colleges and state coordination groups in implementing federal education and labor policies. Examples include joint planning by the Departments of Education and Labor and stakeholder engagement through local advisory boards. It demonstrates how legal frameworks can support collaboration across workforce development and education systems.
· Outreach and Diversity Initiatives: Projects focusing on “migrants teaching migrants” and youth-municipality partnerships were presented as scalable models for community engagement. Emphasis was placed on using guidelines and best practices to train local actors and bridge cultural gaps.
Challenges and Opportunities in Stakeholder Engagement
The working group acknowledged persistent barriers to effective cooperation:
- Fragmentation: Stakeholders often operate in silos, leading to duplicated efforts and inconsistent outcomes.
- Lack of Awareness: Many stakeholders are unaware of each other’s roles, contributions, or needs.
- Limited Resources: Financial and human resources are often insufficient to support sustained collaboration.
Despite these challenges, WG10 emphasized that stakeholder engagement is not optional but essential. ALE must be understood not as the responsibility of one sector but as a shared commitment across public, private, and civil society actors.
Strategies for Enhancing Stakeholder Cooperation
WG10 proposed the following strategies to build stronger, more permanent structures for collaboration:
- Mapping Stakeholder Roles and Expectations:
- Clearly define what each partner can offer and what they hope to gain.
- Create communication channels to manage expectations and align goals.
- Establishing Coordination Mechanisms:
- Develop national and regional cooperation bodies or networks to facilitate dialogue, share resources, and monitor progress.
- Use technology to streamline collaboration and document learning outcomes.
- Fostering a Culture of Learning:
- Recognize ALE as a professional field and advocate for its inclusion in national education and workforce strategies.
- Encourage mutual learning between institutions, communities, and countries through exchanges and site visits.
- Promoting Public and Private Partnerships:
- Engage private sector actors in lifelong learning through workplace training programs, joint certification initiatives, and co-funded education pathways.
A Call for Long-Term Commitment
Participants stressed that cooperation must move beyond ad hoc collaborations. Instead, ALE systems need permanent, dedicated structures for engagement. These structures should be inclusive, democratic, and adaptable to local needs.
Stakeholder cooperation transforms adult education from isolated interventions into sustained, systemic impact. By working together, stakeholders can make ALE more visible, equitable, and influential, ensuring it plays a central role in lifelong learning and social development.
