UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Our rapidly changing world calls for opportunities to learn throughout life, for individual fulfilment, social cohesion and economic prosperity.
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) strengthens the capacities of Member States to build effective and inclusive lifelong learning policies and systems, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. It aims to develop learning ecosystems that work across life, in every setting and benefit everyone through building capacity at local and national levels, strengthening partnerships, and offering data and knowledge.
Building quality learning ecosystems
Learning takes place across all ages and in diverse settings, whether in formal education and training institutions, at work or at home. Lifelong learning involves a broad set of knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes through which a learner’s agency is both recognized and fostered. In the age of digital technology and AI, the learning ecosystem is interconnected, employing both online and offline resources to enable learning to take place anywhere, anytime, via individualized pathways.
Fostering skills for life, work, and learning
Learning for and at work is an integral part of adult education and a major component of lifelong learning. Learning is a lifelong endeavour that takes place in formal, non-formal and informal settings with the ultimate goal of ensuring that adults can participate fully in society and the world of work. Alongside basic and citizenships skills, vocational skills and further twenty-first century skills are key.
Ensuring that no one is left behind
Quality learning opportunities must be accessible to all. Reducing inequalities is a prerequisite to guaranteeing the right to a quality education for all, as reflected in SDG 4. Nevertheless, on the whole, access to education favours those who have already benefited from educational opportunity. Those with a deficit in knowledge, skills and competences are the most likely to be excluded.
Key facts
lack basic literacy skills
participate in education and learning programmes in almost one-third of countries worldwide.
spend less than 1% of their education budgets on adult learning and education.
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