International networking in continuing education

Switzerland‘s continuing education sector is well connected internationally. Through membership in international organisations, project work and cross-border cooperation initiatives, Swiss stakeholders are actively involved in further development of continuing education.

Key multilateral organisations involved in continuing education

Here are the main organisations that facilitate the international integration of continuing education:

• UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL)
• European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)
• International Council for Adult Education (ICAE)

These organisations monitor continuing education developments worldwide. Swiss organisations, particularly umbrella organisations representing continuing education interests are actively involved in these networks, bringing Swiss perspectives to international discussions.

International Conference on Adult Education CONFINTEA 2022:

UNESCO has organised the International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA) every twelve years since 1949. Switzerland has sent a delegation to every conference and, in the interim periods between conferences, has worked to implement CONFINTEA action plans and recommendations

The last conference – CONFINTEA VII – was held in Morocco in 2022. Participants discussed various strategies for effective adult education and explored ways to shape education policy to encourage lifelong learning and the pursuit of UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). The main outcome of the conference was the Confintea VII Marrakech Framework for Action: harnessing the transformational power of adult learning and education.

In 2022, the 5th Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) was published with the title ‘Citizenship education: Empowering adults for change’. GRALE reports include assessments from over 150 different countries. They also describe developments, problem areas and the global outlook for adult education. Implementation of recommendations is accompanied by regional interim conferences held at regular intervals.

More detailed information about international activities in the area of adult education can be found on the website of the Swiss Federation for Adult Learning SVEB.