Learning in a Global Society
Global Perspectives in Lifelong Learning
The term ‘lifelong learning’ invites us to think about the interrelationship between learning events and outcomes in lifetime measures. Global perspectives put the value of lifelong learning into the global context. It is this link that challenges our attitudes, vocabulary, policies and practice as global learners and educators.
The Development Education Association (DEA), the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE) and the Workers Educational Association (WEA) have launched a new project, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), to put the global perspective into lifelong learning and engage learners in the dynamics of education for a global society.
The project has been planned on two assumptions.
- that education has a central role to play in human aspirations and development and that the lifelong learning must encompass individual, community and international aspirations and development.
- that the global economy requires human resources with the motivation and world view which encourages and values creative thinking about the elimination of poverty, injustices, political instability, the violation of human rights and other global challenges.
The partners are in agreement that transferable global skills informed by knowledge and values embedded in the process of education for change must be a central feature of lifelong learning.
Alan Tuckett, the Director of NIACE, stated:
"Too often, ‘sustainable development’, ‘global citizenship’ and ‘global interdependence’ remain terms debated in policy papers. The ideas they embody need to inform what people study and how they study across the full range of adult learning if we want to create a learning society."
The three organisations represent a wide range of providers and consumers of adult learning, which takes place in settings such as the workplace, FE colleges, faith groups, trade union and community education. As partners, the DEA, NIACE and the WEA are in a strong position to draw together the expertise, experience and resources of those who play major roles in lifelong learning and thus bring about new sets of relationships in order to:
 | maximise opportunities for adult learners to scrutinise and gain an understanding of their world, not as passive spectators but as active citizens |
| develop frameworks for adult learning which impact on local regeneration and renewal strategies |
| generate active and sustainable support for international poverty reduction and development. |
A programme of activities in the areas of research, lobbying, promotional and policy development has been planned to run over 18 months. The broad term aims are:
| To identify opportunities for promoting global perspectives within the changing lifelong learning agenda in the UK |
| To produce, test and promote guidance material which includes examples of best practice |
| To engage policy makers in the formal and voluntary sectors in sustainable development education and global issues |
| To increase public awareness and understanding of the international targets for 2015 to which DFID has subscribed. |
This initiative will provide opportunities for stakeholders to make links which will lead to increased awareness and joint activities around the themes and issues which locate lifelong learning in the global context.
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To find out more about aspects of the project you can:
| Refer to Learning in a Global Society - Guidelines for Policy and Practice in Adult Learning available from the DEA. This will also be available to download or print from the DEA website (www.dea.org.uk) . |
| Attend the OCN accredited training course ‘Learning in a Global Society’ delivered by DEA. |
| Attend the OCN accredited Tutor Training course ‘Bringing the World to Learning and Teaching’ delivered by WEA. |
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For further information contact:
Mark Ravenall, NIACE, 20 Princess Road West, Leicester, LE1 6TP
Email: mark.ravenhall@niace.org.uk
Phyllis Thompson, Development Education Association, Third Floor, 29-31
Cowper Street, London, EC2A 4AT, Tel:020 7490 8108, Fax 020 7490 8123,
Email: dea@dea.org.uk
Liz Cumberbatch, WEA Global DE Project, Aizlewoods Mill, Nursery St, Sheffield, S3 8GG Tel 0114 282 3484, Fax 0114 282 3150, Email: liz.cumberbatch@virgin.net
