Arrowsmith2/Shutterstock.com
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is key to overcoming global challenges and to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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.
News
Unlocking potential: How adult learning at university empowered Timmy Long’s transformation
University College Cork
How literacy educator Rita Rani Sarker transforms lives of adult learners
UNESCO
Empowering refugees through higher education in Rwanda
UIL
How lifelong learning made Pat believe in himself
UNESCO learning city of Dublin
The power of adult education: Addressing rural Kenya's gender divide
shutterstock / Arjen de Ruiter
The power of literacy
UNESCO
Calendar
Embracing a culture of lifelong learning
Creating a global culture of lifelong learning will be key to addressing the challenges faced by humanity, from the climate crisis to technological and demographic change, not to mention those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inequalities it has exacerbated. Read our Embracing a culture of lifelong learning report and learn how to make it happen.
UNESCO
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize the holistic character of lifelong learning.
Getty Images / ijeab
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to promote transdisciplinary research and intersectoral collaboration for lifelong learning.
Shutterstock / Amy Johansson
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to place vulnerable groups at the core of the lifelong learning policy agenda.
Photo Images / Stockbyte
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to establish lifelong learning as a common good.
Shutterstock / fizkes
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to ensure greater and equitable access to learning technology.
Getty Images / katleho Seisa
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to transform schools and universities into lifelong learning institutions.
Pexels / Abby Chung
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize and promote the collective dimension of learning.
Nelson Antoine/Shutterstock.com
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to encourage and support local lifelong learning initiatives, including learning cities.
halfpoint
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to reengineer and revitalize workplace learning.
Pexels / Anamul Rezwan
To embrace a culture of lifelong learning, we have to recognize lifelong learning as a human right.
Shutterstock / Arthimedes
Our flagship activities
Key facts
754 million
young people and adults
lack basic literacy skills
Fewer than 5%
of adults aged 15 and above
participate in education and learning programmes in almost one-third of countries worldwide.
Nearly 34%
of countries
spend less than 1% of their education budgets on adult learning and education.
Data and knowledge
Our stories
Publications
Inclusion beyond borders: what is needed to recognize, validate and accredit the prior learning of migrants and refugees?
2024
Strengthening lifelong learning, empowering individuals, transforming societies : annual report 2023
2024
Lifelong learning for health in cities: a guide, enacting the Yeonsu Declaration for Learning Cities
2023
Global inventory of national and regional qualications frameworks, volume I: thematic chapters
2023
Global inventory of regional and national qualifications frameworks, volume II: national and regional case studies
2023
UNESCO
CONFINTEA VII Seventh International Conference on Adult Education : final report; adult learning and education for sustainable development: a transformative agenda
2023
UNESCO
International trends of lifelong learning in higher education: research report
2023
UNESCO
Institutional practices of implementing lifelong learning in higher education: research report
2023
UNESCO
From radio to artificial intelligence: review of innovative technology in literacy and education for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons
2022
UNESCO
Leveraging innovative technology in literacy and education programmes for refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons
2022
UNESCO
CONFINTEA VII Marrakech Framework for Action: harnessing the transformational power of adult learning and education
2022
UNESCO
Transforming higher education institutions into lifelong learning institutions
2022
UNESCO
The contribution of higher education institutions to lifelong learning: global survey report presented to the UNESCO World Higher Education Conference (WHEC2022)
2022
UNESCO
Making lifelong learning a reality: a handbook
2022
UNESCO
5th global report on adult learning and education: citizenship education: empowering adults for change
2022
UNESCO
5th global report on adult learning and education: citizenship education: empowering adults for change; executive summary
2022
UNESCO
Lifelong learning opportunities for all: medium-term strategy 2022–2029
2022
UNESCO
