International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA)
Creating a platform for collaboration
CONFINTEA takes place every 12 years and brings together representatives of the international ALE community.
The conference agrees on strategies and priority actions to further develop ALE concepts, policies and practices in all world regions. It reviews ALE from a global perspective, and agrees on principles for the future development of ALE in UNESCO Member States, e.g. in the form of a joint international framework for action.
There have been seven conferences to date. Global progress in ALE is also assessed through a CONFINTEA Mid-Term Review conference. Since CONFINTEA VI in Belém, Brazil (2009), GRALE has been supporting the regular assessment of ALE through in-depth analyses of data from national reports submitted by Member States every three years. Together with UNESCO’s 2015 Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education (RALE), these instruments allow for ALE agendas to be set and worldwide progress to be monitored continuously.
From 15 to 17 June 2022, participants from across the globe came together for the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) in Marrakech, Morocco. They took stock of achievements in adult learning and education, discussed challenges, and developed a new framework for action to make adult learning and education a reality around the world. CONFINTEA VII was hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco and co-organized with UNESCO.
The History of CONFINTEA
In 1949, reflecting on the end of the Second World War, UNESCO Member States met in Elsinore, Denmark, to discuss how adult learning and education (ALE) could help promote world peace and international understanding. That meeting marked the beginning of an enduring and fruitful global dialogue on ALE. It became the first of six International Conferences on Adult Education, known as ‘CONFINTEA’ (their French acronym: CONFérence INTernationale sur l’Education des Adultes).
2017 CONFINTEA VI
Outcome document
Final Report
This event was co-organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and the cities of Suwon and Osan in the Republic of Korea.
At this Mid-Term Review (MTR), participants will take stock of progress made since 2009, identify achievements and challenges, and consider trends and policies that will shape the future of ALE. The expected outcome is to build a shared Vision for Adult Learning and Education, in accordance with SDG4 - Education 2030, and prepare for CONFINTEA VII.
2009 CONFINTEA VI
Final report
Outcome document
Annotated Agenda
2003 CONFINTEA V
Synthesis report
1997 CONFINTEA V
Final report
Hamburg Declaration
Follow-up report
1985 CONFINTEA IV
1972 CONFINTEA III
25 July-7 August 1972: final report
1960 CONFINTEA II
1949 CONFINTEA I
Programme and meetings document. Elsinore, Denmark, 19-25 June 1949
CONFINTEA Fellowship Programme
The CONFINTEA Fellowship Programme, run by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), supported countries in putting their ALE commitments into practice. It recognized the important role of ALE in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets of the Education 2030 Framework for Action. Between 2011 and 2017, UIL awarded fellowships to 38 government officials and civil society representatives, from 32 countries.
The CONFINTEA Fellowship Programme for Adult Learning and Education took place from 2011 to 2017 during which time UIL awarded fellowships to 38 government officials and civil society representatives, from 32 countries.
