What you need to know on lifelong learning (2024)

In a rapidly changing world, where technology, globalization, climate change, growing polarization of societies, and demographic and social dynamics are reshaping every aspect of our lives, education is undergoing a transformational journey. Education is no longer confined to traditional school-based education for children but has expanded to encompass lifelong and life-wide learning.

People can no longer navigate their life course using only the skills and knowledge acquired at school, college or university. They need to learn throughout life.Lifelong learning is an effective and transformational means of tackling current global challenges.

Lifelong learning ...

• improves employability through reskilling and upskilling of workers in a changing world of work;
• enables individuals to master the digital revolution;
• empowers learners of all ages to take climate action;
• supports health and well-being across communities;
• helps countries respond to aging societies, with the global population of people aged 65 or older expected to outnumber youth by 2050;
• promotes tolerance and democratic values in the face of deep social and economic changes.

These factors, among others, make lifelong learning an economic, political, social, and environmental imperative for any country. By making lifelong learning the guiding principle of education systems, governments can make a major contribution to sustainable development at national, regional, and local levels.

Lifelong learning addresses …

All age groups

Lifelong learning is a process that starts at birth and extends across the whole lifespan. It provides people of all ages and origins with learning opportunities and activities, responding to their specific needs in different life and professional stages.

All levels of education

Lifelong learning is about linking all levels and types of education, building adaptable pathways between them. This includes early childhood care and education, primary and secondary school education, higher education, adult and non-formal education, and technical and vocational education and training.

All learning modalities

Lifelong learning recognizes all modalities of learning: formal (institutionalized, leading to recognized qualifications), non-formal (institutionalized, alternative or complementary to formal education, usually not leading to recognized qualifications) and informal (not institutionalized, on a self-directed, family-directed, community or socially directed basis).

All learning spheres and spaces

Schools are just one part of a wide learning universe, a space that also includes families, communities, workplaces, libraries, museums and other online and distance learning platforms. To promote lifelong learning is to build bridges between the formal education sector and non-formal and informal learning environments in order to create new opportunities for very diverse learning needs.

A variety of purposes

Lifelong learning is both people-centred and human rights-based. Its purpose is to provide people with opportunities to develop their capabilities and reach their potential throughout life, regardless of their starting points; to acknowledge a wide range of learning needs and demands; and to contribute to the development of an advanced economy and inclusive society.

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4, world leaders have committed to promoting lifelong learning for all. Yet, to this day, lifelong learning remains an aspiration for many across the world, symbolized by the 765 million youth and adults lacking even basic literacy and numeracy skills.

When examining the status quo of adult learning and education as a core component of lifelong learning, it becomes clear that decisive action is needed. According to theFifth UNESCO Global Report on Adult Learning and Education, in one-third of countries worldwide fewer than 1% of adults aged 15 and above participate in education and learning programmes. Particularly those who need adult education the most are deprived of access to learning opportunities. About 60% of countries reported no improvement in participation by people with disabilities, migrants or prisoners. In 24% of countries participation of rural populations had declined. And participation of older adults also decreased in 24% of the 154 surveyed countries.

The report also shows that investment in adult learning and education remains low, with 57% of countries surveyed reporting that they dedicate less than 4% of their overall education budget to this particular field.

Past the midway point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is clear that efforts must be redoubled to provide all individuals with a chance to learn!

UNESCO's work is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 which aims, by 2030, to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.’ To achieve this, UNESCO supports countries by providing knowledge, evidence-based information and technical assistance in the development of lifelong learning systems and policies.

Based on the publication ‘Making lifelong learning a reality: a handbook’, and the commitments made by UNESCO Member States with the adoption of theMarrakech Framework for Action, theUNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning builds capacities among Member States in developing lifelong learning policies, strategies and implementation plans. Through itsGlobal Network of Learning Cities it further strengthens the implementation of lifelong learning at the local level. Within the framework of theGlobal Alliance for Literacy, UNESCO works with the 30 countries hosting more than half of the illiterates worldwide, supporting them in strengthening literacy policies and programs, building capacity, and monitoring the quality of literacy programs.

UNESCO has initiated a discussion with Member States onhow the right to education, as enshrined in international normative instruments, could be further evolve to reflect the needs of our time.