Joint expert meeting on the UNESCO Recommendations concerning Adult Learning and Education and Technical and Vocational Education

27 and 28 May 2014, Hamburg, Germany

On 27 and 28 May 2014, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (Hamburg, Germany) hosted an expert meeting on the Revision of the UNESCO Recommendations concerning Adult Learning and Education (ALE) and Technical and Vocational Education (TVE). Jointly organized by UIL, UNESCO-UNEVOC and the UNESCO Section for TVET, the meeting brought together approximately 30 experts. UNESCO-UNEVOC was represented by Shyamal Majumdar, Head, and Katerina Ananiadou, Programme Specialist. The expert group for TVET, chaired by Dr Santosh Mehotra, Director-General of India’s Institute of Applied Manpower Research, also included as Vice-Chair Ms Olga Oleynikova, Director of the Centre for Vocational Education and Training Studies, Moscow, and experts from another four UNEVOC Centres in Cote d’Ivoire, Costa Rica, Germany and Jordan. Other members of the expert group include representatives from the International Labour Organization, Education International, International Organisation of Employers and Junior Chamber International.

The meeting provided the opportunity to develop and discuss the draft revised text of both Recommendations and clarify relations and links between the two texts. The meeting was a significant step towards the process of updating these two important instruments for education policy-makers worldwide. When adopted, these instruments will help to mobilize Member States to improve adult education and TVET. The revised Recommendations will contribute towards ensuring equitable and inclusive quality education and lifelong learning for all.

Earlier this year, UNESCO-UNEVOC and the UNESCO Section for TVET organized a special virtual conference on the UNEVOC e-Forum to consult its members and gather input on what should be the scope, purpose and guiding principles of the new Recommendation. Moderated by Professor Simon McGrath, Director of Research and Professor of International Education and Development at the University of Nottingham, the special virtual conference attracted almost 200 participants from over 65 countries. The outcomes of the discussion of this virtual conference were presented at the meeting of the expert group and are being taken into consideration during the revision and drafting process. A synthesis report on this discussion will be published on the UNEVOC website shortly.