The term lifelong learning has been adopted worldwide and although each country’s contexts may be different, the challenge is the same – to encourage adults to continue learning throughout their lives. The UK is one of the earliest pioneers of lifelong learning and many new developments are taking place in recognition of the need for continuous updating of the workforce to take full advantage of the knowledge economy. The seminar examines UK national policies and initiatives on lifelong learning and looks at how these are put into practice at regional and local level.

In the UK lifelong learning is for everyone – workers, the unemployed, the retired and the homeless among others, and innovative methods of reaching and educating people whatever their age or educational background have been developed. The seminar is held in Liverpool, City of Learning, which in 2008, will be the European City of Culture. Participants have the opportunity not just to hear about, but to see in action, workforce training, widening access to higher education, improving adult literacy and education for leisure, in both formal and informal settings. Participants are also encouraged to explore the role of lifelong learning in economic and social development and discuss ways in which their countries are dealing with these issues

Main themes include:

• new government policies and their interpretation in a regional context
• widening participation in higher education
• adult learning
• routes through culture and heritage to learning
• schemes developed to support individuals in mapping a life long learning path for themselves

Who should attend this seminar
This seminar will be of interest to policy makers and senior managers in education, employment and leisure.  It is aimed at officials in Ministries of Labour, Economic Development and Education. Heads of national agencies with responsibility for aspects of lifelong learning, e.g. training adult workers, retraining the unemployed, community-based education.  Participants are expected to contribute their own knowledge and experience to the seminar, as it will be participant focussed.