By Pascal
Paschoud and Simone C. O.
Conceição (IACEHOF 2018)
Insights from the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall Conference
In an era marked by rapid technological innovation, shifting demographics, and global challenges such as climate change, the importance of university lifelong learning (ULLL) has never been more urgent. At the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame Conference held in Florence (November 7–9, 2024), Working Group 2 (WG2)—focused on University Lifelong Learning and Inter-University Partnerships—gathered to address this urgency and chart a collaborative path forward.
This effort was made possible through close cooperation with the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN), whose contributions helped shape a forward-thinking agenda centered on innovation, partnerships, and global impact.
Collaboration at the Core
The Working Group recognized that inter-university collaboration is not just a strategic advantage—it's a necessity. Through partnerships, universities can develop joint strategies, share resources, and create flexible learning opportunities for adult learners. Initiatives like the Adult Education Academy and the European Basic Skills Network (EBSN) exemplify how shared educational programs and professional development series can transcend national borders.
A pre-conference webinar set the stage, with participants exchanging practices and highlighting successful projects. Featured resources included DVV International’s ALE Toolbox and UNESCO’s Learning Cities initiative—tools and models that reinforce the transformative potential of coordinated adult education.
Key Themes and Actions
The Florence workshop reaffirmed the university’s pivotal role in supporting lifelong learning. While national contexts differ, participants shared a common vision: the transformation of higher education institutions into “learning universities” that fully embrace lifelong learning as a core mission.
To move this vision into action, the Working Group proposed:
- Building Inclusive LLL Ecosystems: Engaging diverse stakeholders—universities, civil society, employers, and learners—to co-create accessible and responsive learning opportunities.
- Creating Joint Programs: Developing cross-border degrees, certificates, and exchange opportunities to promote global access and recognition.
- Establishing Microcredentialing Frameworks: Inspired by models like MicroCred in Ireland, the group advocated for a global alliance on microcredentials to ensure transferability, transparency, and mobility.
- Developing Sustainable Networks: Initiatives like EPALE serve as a model for an international network of lifelong learning educators and professionals to share strategies, successes, and challenges.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, the Working Group outlined a series of next steps to sustain momentum:
- Forge lasting partnerships with universities, governments, NGOs, and the private sector.
- Identify funding opportunities to support international projects.
- Promote recognition and accreditation frameworks that validate prior learning across borders.
Above all, the group made a strong call to the broader educational community: to commit to revitalizing adult and continuing education—not just as a response to global challenges but as a means of fostering personal fulfillment and social progress.
A Shared Commitment
In collaboration with EUCEN, this work reflects a shared commitment to a global, inclusive, and forward-looking vision of lifelong learning. As universities continue to evolve, their ability to partner effectively—locally and globally—will define their role in building resilient societies and empowered individuals.
In the words of the Working Group, this is the beginning of “a new renaissance for lifelong learning”—one built on cooperation, innovation, and a deep belief in education without limits.
