3rd Global Report on Adult Learning and Education: The Impact of Adult Learning and Education on Health and Well-being, Employment and the Labour Market, and Social, Civic and Community Life

The Global Reports on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE) play a key role in meeting UNESCO’s commitment to monitor and report on countries’ implementation of the Belém Framework for Action. This Framework was adopted by 144 UNESCO Member States at the Sixth International Conference on Adult Learning and Education (CONFINTEAVI), which was held in Belém, Brazil, in 2009. In the Belém Framework for Action, countries agreed to improve ALE across five areas of action: policy; governance; financing; participation, inclusion and equity; and quality (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, 2010b).

GRALE III appears as the ALE community prepares for an important global conference: the 2017 Mid-Term Review of CONFINTEA VI. GRALE III will help high-level decision makers take stock of progress in delivering their Belém promises since 2009. It will also help them look ahead to 2030. Policymakers are now considering how to put into practice the ALE promises made in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2015) and the Recommendation on Adult Learning and Education (2015) (UNESCO, 2015). GRALE III will support their deliberations by showing how ALE can help achieve broader health, economic and social outcomes. It will identify major challenges for ALE and examine the implications for ALE of major global trends like migration and demographic shifts.

GRALE III brings together the latest data, policy analysis and case studies on ALE. Government leaders will find high quality evidence to inform their policies, strategies and budgets. Proponents of change will find compelling arguments showing how ALE promotes sustainable development, healthier societies, better jobs and more active citizenship. Policy analysts will find entry points and ideas for future research and policy.