1. « Understanding Europe » –
in the broader context of European cooperation in Adult Education
Alan Smith
Former Acting Head of Adult Education Unit, European Commission
& Coordinator, EU Programme for Adult Learning « Grundtvig »
“Understanding Europe”
Dissemination Event
Brussels, 1 March 2018

2. Questions How do ‘Europe ’ and ‘adult education’ (AE) interact?
What do AE organisations get from European cooperation?
Why is AE so important for the EU?
What should the EU do to give AE the importance it deserves?
How can AE be strengthened within Erasmus+?
How can AE organisations become more ‘European’?
Europe ≠ EU
Co of Europe important for certain aspects of AE: Reference Framework for Languages, Human Rights education, prison education
But also more generally: all aspects of « living together in Europe » are relevant
Adult education refers to whole spectrum – but with particular emphasis on non-vocational adult learning

3. How do ‘Europe’ and ‘AE’ interact
How do ‘Europe’ and ‘AE’ interact? (“European dimensions of adult education”)
Europe as a factor shaping (Adult) Education policy (and systems)
AE organisations as a funded ‘agent’ for implementing EU policies (example: European Social Fund)
‘Europe’ as a thematic focus of AE courses
(‘Living together in Europe’ = an integral part of ‘citizenship’)
Europe as a source of innovation: AE organisations in cooperation and mobility across national borders
Engagement with Europe as a strategic policy goal for AE organisations
Europe ≠ EU
Co of Europe important for certain aspects of AE: Reference Framework for Languages, Human Rights education, prison education
But also more generally: all aspects of « living together in Europe » are relevant
Adult education refers to whole spectrum – but with particular emphasis on non-vocational adult learning

4. What do AE organisations get from European cooperation? 10 answers…
New contents, methods and tools (‚Learning Organisation‘)
Enhanced inter-cultural sensibility of staff and learners
Enriched knowledge and competence:
Specific subject areas addressed by projects and mobility
Foreign language proficiency
Ancillary aspects such as project management, IT and media
Enhanced motivation of staff, livelier organisation generally
Sustainable professional networks as a long-term resource
Strengthened international relations
Enhanced status of AE organisations in local and regional community
Stronger conviction of need for European unity, however defined
Improved prospects in the acquisition of external funds
Life-changing experiences for staff and learners
Lasting personal friendships across borders
(«What better place to learn than in European projects?» Hamburger VHS)

5. (See also EAEA « Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century»)
Why is adult education so important for Europe (and the EU)? 10 answers…
Improving adults’ knowledge, skills, competence levels and creativity
Providing a second chance to learn and succeed
Helping adults adapt to the digital age
Combating marginalisation and social exclusion
Promoting active participation in society
Integrating migrants and preventing radicalisation (> 300 Erasmus+ projects)
Addressing the demographic challenge of the ageing society
Fighting populism and recourse to ‘alternative facts’ (=lies)
Enhancing citizens’ knowledge of EU policies (environment, consumer policy, sustainable development etc.)
Promoting awareness of the benefits of living together in a peaceful, tolerant and mutually supportive Europe/EU
(See also EAEA « Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century»)

6. What should the EU do to give adult education the importance it deserves?
Place stronger emphasis on (especially non-vocational) adult education (AE) in EU education policy processes and instruments
Reunite AE policy and programme departments within the Commission
Strengthen transnational exchange of experience and transfer of innovation resulting from ESF-funded activities in the area of AE
Exploit the potential of AE for other EU policies and improve its access to related funding programmes (Justice, Environment, Consumers etc.)
Recognise the vital role of AE in furthering citizens’ awareness of and constructively critical identification with the EU and its policies
Above all: Give a strong boost to AE in Erasmus+

7. How can adult education be strengthened within Erasmus+? 10 proposals…
Increase and improve funding for AE
Adapt programme activities and requirements to AE needs
New opportunities for (project-based) adult learner mobility
Enhance AE role in European citizenship (& extend Jean Monnet)
Focus on social and individual disadvantage
Equal access for AE to international/neighbourhood cooperation
Measures to boost the visibility of AE in the programme
Encourage more cross-sectoral cooperation
Make better use of ‘virtual’ cooperation and mobility tools (but not at the expense of face-to-face contacts)
Strengthen impacts at system level:
More KA3 opportunities
Improved thematic networking and exploitation of projects

8. How to improve funding and programme activities for AE: a closer look
Increase and improve funding for AE:
Better parity with other sectors
More flexibility of funding between sectors
A fairer deal for the smaller countries (critical mass!)
Adapt programme activities and requirements to AE needs
‘Proportionality’ in application and reporting procedures
Reintroduction of Preparatory Visits
European Charter for AE organisations
Simpler and more open project format options
Improved IT tools
Catalogue of European courses available to AE staff (as for schools)
New opportunities for adult learners (see above)

9. Contact alansmith@unitybox.de
Thanks to the German Adult Education Association (Deutscher Volkshochschulverband – DVV) and its Institute for International Cooperation (« dvv-international ») for sponsoring the presenter’s initial work on this theme
The views expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Commission or the DVV