What we do
ICAE actively promotes adult learning and education through a range of initiatives focused on capacity building, policy advocacy, and global collaboration. It engages with international platforms such as CONFINTEA and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) to shape educational policies. ICAE leads and supports projects, empowering communities through advocacy and educational development. Additionally, it disseminates research, publications, and resources, fostering lifelong learning as a tool for social justice and sustainable development
Overview
Policy and Advocacy
ICAE’s policy and advocacy work focuses on influencing global, regional, and national policies to prioritize adult learning and education as a human right. By engaging with international forums such as CONFINTEA and the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), ICAE advocates for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable educational practices. Its advocacy efforts aim to ensure that ALE remains a key component of social justice, sustainable development, and democratic participation, shaping policies that empower individuals and communities through lifelong learning.
CONFINTEA, the International Conference on Adult Education, is a global forum organized by UNESCO and supported by ICAE. Held every 12 years, it brings together governments, civil society, and educators to assess progress, set global benchmarks, and develop frameworks for adult learning and education. ICAE actively participates in these conferences, advocating for policies that recognize ALE as essential for achieving social justice, sustainable development, and lifelong learning. CONFINTEA serves as a key platform for shaping the future of adult education globally.
Confintea VII, Marrakech Framework of Action, and GRALE
Confintea VII, the International Conference on Adult Education, was held in Marrakech, Morocco, marking a significant milestone in the global adult education movement. This landmark conference brought together educators, policymakers, advocates, and stakeholders from around the world to collaborate on advancing adult learning and education (ALE).
At Confintea VII, the Marrakech Framework of Action was adopted, serving as a comprehensive blueprint for enhancing ALE globally. This framework outlines strategic priorities aimed at promoting inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals. It emphasizes the importance of ALE in achieving social justice, sustainable development, and democratic participation, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ICAE plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the Marrakech Framework of Action by collaborating with international partners, including UNESCO and member organizations. Through these partnerships, ICAE works to translate the global agendas set forth in the framework into actionable national and local policies and practices. This ensures that the principles of ALE are effectively integrated into educational systems worldwide, fostering environments where lifelong learning can thrive.
Additionally, ICAE actively contributes to GRALE (Global Report on Adult Learning and Education), a UNESCO-led initiative that monitors and evaluates the progress of ALE across different regions. GRALE provides valuable data and insights that inform policy development, advocacy strategies, and program implementation. By engaging with GRALE, ICAE leverages comprehensive research to support evidence-based decision-making and to highlight the critical role of ALE in empowering individuals and communities.
The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) is a key platform within the United Nations system where ICAE advocates for adult learning and education in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As co-founder and Organising Partner of the Education and Academia Stakeholer Group (ESAG) ICAE uses the HLPF to promote the role of lifelong learning in achieving global goals, particularly those related to social justice, equity, and sustainability. By engaging with policymakers and global stakeholders, ICAE ensures that ALE remains central to discussions on development and education policies.
Projects
ICAE leads and supports a variety of global projects aimed at advancing adult learning and education. Each project addresses key global challenges by building capacity, fostering policy change, and empowering communities. ICAE collaborates with international partners in projects, providing platforms for knowledge exchange and advocacy to ensure that adult learning remains a priority on the global agenda.
Currently Running
Just4all: https://www.solidar.org/project/just4all-adult-education-for-a-just-transition/
Just4All is an EU-funded initiative promoting a just transition through inclusive and innovative lifelong learning and adult education. The action’soverall objective is to support an inclusive recovery and digital and green transitions in Europe. More specifically, it aims to develop integrated, inclusive, and innovative adult learning and education (ALE) models that promote just transition, with a special focus on migrants, women, and low-skilled adults.
Titled “Building Social Innovation Learning Laboratories in Europe through a Just Transition for All and with All”, Just4All is a two-year project running from October 2023 to September 2025.
Tale: https://kansanvalistusseura.fi/en/hankkeet/tale/
In the Tale Erasmus+ project, adult education organisations engage with learners, communities, grassroots initiatives such as social movements and green activists to provide new insights on transformative learning. The partners will run innovation groups using transformative learning approaches in cooperation with social movements and/or green activists. The goal is to examine how we can learn from each other to further green transition in organisations and communities. In addition, the project consortium utilises peer learning, organises events, and publishes recommendations on how adult education can contribute to green transition. As a result, the Tale project will help adult learning and education organisations to find new ways to work with learners and their surrounding communities.
The project will produce knowledge, events, tools, experiences, methods and recommendations on how to use transformative learning to further green transition and help upscale the innovative practices of the grassroots initiatives.
Ale4tt: https://eaea.org/project/ale4tt/
The ALE4TT project will support ALE organisations in better communicating, advocating and developing strategies to convince third parties such as policymakers why ALE has a crucial role to play in a just transition process. It will also support them in building a wider network with diverse allies from the broader digital and green community.
The main outputs of the project are:
- An international training programme on ALE and the twin transition, co-created with participants from ALE organisations
- An advocacy toolkit bringing together case studies and methods that can support ALE providers in advocating ALE in the twin transition.
Capacity Building
ICAE’s capacity building efforts aim to strengthen the skills, knowledge, and networks of individuals and organizations involved in adult learning and education. Through workshops, training programs, and initiatives like IALLA (International Academy for Lifelong Learning Advocacy), ICAE empowers educators, activists, and policymakers to become more effective advocates for ALE. These activities are designed to enhance leadership, promote innovative approaches to education, and support the development of sustainable, inclusive learning environments worldwide.
The International Academy for Lifelong Learning Advocacy (IALLA) is one of ICAE’s flagship initiatives focused on building leadership in adult education. It brings together educators, activists, and advocates from around the world for intensive training programs that equip them with the tools and strategies to promote adult learning and education (ALE) globally. Since its inception in 2004, IALLA has fostered a strong network of lifelong learning advocates, empowering participants to take on leadership roles in shaping educational policies and advancing social justice through education.
We are a global alliance of networks, associations and organisations for adult learning and education (ALE). We recognise the fundamental importance of ALE for justice, well-being and change. While Agenda 2030 identifies lifelong learning (LLL) as critical to attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ALE which is a significant part of LLL, is largely invisible. For ALE to be seen, understood and valued, we need to advocate for greater involvement and investment by governments, donors, private sector, international organizations, and social movements.
Publications and Research
ICAE is dedicated to advancing adult learning and education through research and publications that inform global policies and practices. Its resources include reports, journals, and advocacy guides that highlight innovative approaches and successful models in ALE. ICAE’s publications serve as important tools for educators, policymakers, and advocates, offering insights into the role of education in promoting social justice, sustainable development, and lifelong learning. These resources strengthen global dialogue and knowledge-sharing in the ALE field.
The Activity Reports provide an overview of ICAE’s key initiatives, events, and achievements over the years. These reports highlight the organization’s efforts in promoting adult learning and education globally, documenting ICAE’s advocacy work, partnerships, and participation in major international forums. Each report serves as a record of ICAE’s impact in advancing educational policies, empowering communities, and fostering social justice through education.
Adult Education and Development is a forum for adult educationists from all over the world. This is where practice meets theory, and a global, regional and local dialogue ensues.
If you are a practitioner, researcher, activist or policymaker in education, this journal is for you. If you are interested in adult education, development work, or both, this journal is for you. If you are curious about the world and want to learn more, this journal is for you. If you are a teacher in or a student of adult education, this journal is for you.
Background paper supporting the thematic chapter of GRALE 5, 2020.
Citizenship Education and Adult Learning and Education (ALE). Prepared and edited by Katarina Popović.
The relevance of citizenship education (CED) for the further development of adult learning and education (ALE) and its impact on (current and future) ALE practice from ICAE’s perspective.
ICAE, Belgrade, 2022
Citizenship Education and Adult Learning and Education (ALE)
The ICAE Advocacy Guides provide practical resources aimed at supporting efforts in promoting adult learning and education. These guides offer tools, strategies, and insights for effective advocacy, helping educators, policymakers, and activists navigate the complexities of promoting ALE at both local and global levels.
Voices Rising was an ICAE publication that shared stories, insights, and experiences from educators, activists, and learners in the adult learning and education (ALE) field. It focused on amplifying diverse voices and fostering dialogue around the transformative power of education for social justice and empowerment. Through this platform, ICAE promoted collaboration and the exchange of ideas to support the global ALE movement.
You can find some selected issues below:
499, 485, 484, 483, 482, 481, 480, 479, 478, 477
In 2022 ICAE presented the new edition of CONVERGENCE! It had been almost twelve years since the last issue of Convergence was published. The University of Malta, through its Faculty of Education, has taken the initiative to carry this project further forward, apart from providing the editorial drive in collaboration with the International Council for Adult Education.
Here you can find the latest issues of Convercence: