The International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) is a global network with a specific mandate to advocate for youth and adult learning and education (ALE) as a universal human right. It was created in 1973 and has 7 regional bodies (Africa, Arab Region, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and North America) representing more than 800 NGOs – regional, national and sectoral networks – in more than 75 countries.

ICAE is an organization in associate relations with UNESCO, with consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and observer status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). It is a strategic network that promotes adult learning and education as a tool for active citizenship and informed participation of people.