Press release
Lifelong learning ecosystems must be inclusive of all learners
5 July 2023, Bali, Republic of Indonesia. Participants of the Inclusive Lifelong Learning conference, called for the promotion of inclusive lifelong learning ecosystems that effectively cater to the needs of all learners, especially vulnerable and marginalized individuals and communities. Through the Bali Manifesto, the conference's outcome document, they called for the implementation of comprehensive lifelong learning policies, and the creation of inclusive learning spaces, curricula, learning pathways and learning materials. They emphasized the importance of increased public investment in lifelong learning.
With high-level interventions by H.E. Mr Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs and H.E. Ms Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Finance (Republic of Indonesia), H.E. Ms María Brown Pérez, Minister of Education (Ecuador), Stefania Giannini (UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education), Ms Lisa Chesters MP, Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training (Australia), the conference, hosted by the Republic of Indonesia and the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning from 3 to 6 July 2023 in Bali, welcomed more than 330 participants from 38 countries. Participants included vice-ministers, mayors, further representatives of national and local governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholders. Following the adoption of the Marrakech Framework for Action at the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VII) and the commitments made at the Transforming Education Summit, they discussed how to use turn the vision of inclusive lifelong learning into tangible policies, strategies and programmes.
In closing the conference, H.E. Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, stressed: “Lifelong learning must be a reality, not just a narrative or aspiration. Lifelong learning is key for a better quality of life. It is a driving force for the progress of society, nation and country.’
The Bali Manifesto outlines key areas of action necessary to materialize the vision of inclusive lifelong learning. The participants committed to working towards a future where inclusive lifelong learning becomes accessible to all individuals.
During the closing of the conference, Daniel Baril, Chair of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning Governing Board stressed: “The right to education must cover all ages. It can only become a tangible reality for individuals – regardless of background or gender – across the globe if we now shift from commitments to action. We must act jointly to unleash the power of lifelong learning to transforming lives and societies.” The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning supports countries in advancing this right through its programmes, including the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, the Global Alliance for Literacy and the global monitoring of adult learning and education policies and programmes.
The conference participants emphasized the significance of accountability and monitoring mechanisms in the implementation of commitments and the measurement of progress towards inclusive lifelong learning. They called for enhanced data collection and the establishment of accountable governance mechanisms that foster inter-ministerial, multi-stakeholder, and intersectoral partnerships. They also stressed the importance of strengthening professional development and lifelong learning opportunities for teachers and advocated for the development of accessible programmes to facilitate skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, the design of flexible learning pathways and the potential of work-based learning.
In this context Ms Denni Puspa Purbasari, Executive Director of PMO Kartu Prakerja underlined: “Indonesia’s Kartu Prakerja has provided reskilling and upskilling opportunities to 17.1 million learners in Indonesia, with different demographic and socio-economic backgrounds, coming from 514 cities and regencies, within three and a half years. With the help of digital technology, Prakerja is able to connect the workforce with jobs they aspire to and skills they need, increasing their employability, income and financial resilience.”
Participants called on UNESCO to continue monitoring the implementation of the Marrakech Framework for Action through the Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) and capacity-building activities through sharing of promising policy and programme cases from governments, civil society organizations, private sector and other stakeholders to forge synergies at global, regional and country level.
During the conference the #ImALifelongLearner campaign was launched, mobilizing learners across the globe, urging them to showcase their passion for learning and inspire others to embark on their own lifelong learning journeys. The campaign serves as a reminder that the right to education is a right to lifelong learning that knows no age limits, emphasizing the imperative of providing adequate policy frameworks and programmes and robust funding for inclusive learning opportunities for individuals throughout their lives.
About the conference
The Inclusive Lifelong Learning Conference took place from 3 to 5 July with cultural visits for conference participants on 6 July 2023, in Bali, Republic of Indonesia. It builds on the outcomes of the Seventh International Conference on Adult Education, particularly the Marrakech Framework for Action, which was adopted on 17 June 2022. With representation from over 140 countries, this landmark agreement signifies a global commitment to translating the vision of a right to lifelong learning into a tangible reality. Leaders from around the world pledged to significantly increase adult participation in learning and recognized the urgent need for greater financial investment in adult learning and education.
Further information
