Mission

Posted on by

ICAE’s mission is to promote learning and education for adults and young people in pursuit of social justice within the framework of human right in all its dimensions, to secure the healthy, sustainable and democratic development of individuals, communities and societies.

ICAE Strategic Guidelines for 2020 – 2023

In pursuit of social justice within the framework of human rights in all its dimensions, ICAE remains committed to its mission to promote the right to education and learning for young people and adults, which includes older people.

 ICAE will work to achieve economic, cultural, social and ecological justice, enhancing international peace and understanding. Through education as a human right and education for democratic citizenship, ICAE will stand especially for vulnerable populations (e.g., those deprived of their right to education, those living in poverty, women and marginalised groups, and others).

However, the marginalisation of adult education, and of civil society organisations and networks within the education and development global agenda has seriously impacted on the financial resources of the ICAE. Nevertheless, the ICAE and our active regional and national members have continued to advance our agenda in key spaces such as the Mid-Term Review of CONFINTEA VI in Suwon, Korea and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These Strategic Guidelines acknowledge these multiple challenges but aim to build on our strengths, explore new opportunities and act with determination – together.

In its work, ICAE will have several priorities:

  • Sustain global advocacy for Adult Learning and Education (ALE) and for the comprehensive approach to lifelong learning in key global advocacy spaces. Most importantly are:
    • The Seventh International Conference on Adult Education – CONFINTEA VII – in 2022 (preparations and input, follow up)
    • The UN SDG platforms such as the HLPF and other SDGs related fora

These efforts include direct activities of global advocacy, as well as support of members in carrying forth this mission, and organising or taking part in capacity building measures for advocacy.

  • Use intersectorality and cross-cutting approach, especially in advocacy related to
  • Enhance and promote a gender perspective in all that we do.
  • Secure financial stability of the organisation and enhance resource mobilisation that would enable ICAE to fight for its values, represent its members and those whom ICAE stands for, and to make the global case for ALE. It means bolstering our strategic intersectoral work with sectors such as health, environment, women, etc.
  • Explore research capacities of ICAE (EC and member organisations) as possible way to provide evidences for ICAE’s advocacy and to raise funds.
  • Inform and engage our members about regional and global developments and facilitate communication among the members.
    • Decentralization of communication; use of the virtual tools of communication for both external and internal communication and for the meetings, wherever it is possible and meaningful.
    • Address the diversity of languages whenever possible and affordable.
  • Expand ICAE membership, strengthen its capabilities and contribute to build a global movement for ALE.
    • ICAE should explore the way to work more intensive with the regional structures and to expand cooperation with them (especially to mobilise them for concrete events);
    • Build cooperation with social movements, such as World Social Forum, as much as resources allow.
  • ICAE and cooperation with regional and national members:
    • Develop organizational mechanisms that would optimise available resources from within the regional and national members, such as acting on behalf of ICAE in different arenas.
    • Organise regional activities together with the members and with the networks, in order to increase visibility and financial synergy.
    • Develop with members the ways of using support and contributions in kind and other ways of non-direct financial contribution to ICAE and its activities.
    • Cooperate with members and members association to help out financially to the donors. Apply for the projects together (national, regional and international), including intergenerational, intersectoral, inter-thematic approaches.

 


IX ICAE WORLD ASSEMBLY
Declaration
Montreal 14 June 2015

We, adult educators and learners of the world and members of the International Council for Adult Education, reaffirm, together with the 2015 World Education Forum, that education throughout life is a fundamental human right, a basis for guaranteeing the attainment of all other human rights, and a public good.

We reaffirm our global, regional and local commitments and our passion for the full realization of the right to education for peace. This right is required to build the world we want for all, especially for young and adult people, regardless of age, gender, ability or circumstances. This right is the foundation of a world based on democratic participation, justice, equality, respect, care and solidarity among our diverse people. We must be in harmony with our cultural and environmental rights… READ MORE!

icae_declaration_Montreal