CONFINTEAs and the SDG
Adult education and lifelong learning in the Agendas of the United Nations
The development of adult learning and education (ALE) as a perspective of lifelong learning (LLL) is strongly related to two agendas of the United Nations (UN). UNESCO as the specialised UN agency for education, science and culture has been organizing a series of world conferences on adult education since 1949, called CONFINTEA, following the French abbreviation of Conférence Internationale sur l’Éducation des Adultes. The last one was held in 2022 in Marrakech, and the outcome documents like the Marrakech Framework for Action have a normative function for the adult education community. The UN agenda towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by member states in 2015 can be seen as a push for the LLL perspective as the agreed education paradigm.
Articles
CONFINTEA and SDG – Perspectives for adult learning
and education
by Heribert Hinzen, Maria Khan, Margarete Sachs-Israel
The first article takes an overarching look at some of those important developments
in ALE and LLL through two lenses – from intergovernmental and civil society
perspectives. It touches on experiences in four continental areas of Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. It argues that more support is needed to achieve the commitments made.
Africa
by Idowu Biao
The aim of this article is to discuss the performance of both agendas – SDG and CONFINTEA –within sub-Saharan African space by highlighting the sub-continental factors that may have influenced the operationalisation of these global projects.
Asia Pacific
by Helen Dabu
The ongoing challenge is towards ensuring strong follow-up and support mechanisms to implement the agreed commitments to ALE and LLL through the CONFINTEA process as well as SDG implementation. The challenge remains for governments to develop a clearer architecture for a meaningful, accountable, and participatory follow-up process for CONFINTEA VII and the SDG 2030 agenda. The Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) is a main player in the region.
Europe
by Uwe Gartenschlaeger
The author argues that global processes have a hard time in Europe, including the education sector, where European governments insist on their independence, which is often based on long-held beliefs and structures. This also applies to the SDGs and the CONFINTEA process. The article looks at interventions especially from civil society. The European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) in particular is a strong advocate for ALE.
Latin America
by Timothy Ireland
The author argues that the success of the CONFINTEA and SDG Agendas are inextricably interwoven. It is crucial to understand the key trends affecting Latin America which impact directly and indirectly the implementation of the recommendations of the Marrakech Framework and the SDGs.