Upcoming events
No upcoming events for now
Past events
Transforming Knowledge Webinar
| Southern Africa Webinar
THE POLYCRISIS OF THE POLITICAL ECONOMY, ITS CRITIQUE AND ALTERNATIVES
South Africa faces a complex, interlinked crisis that touches nearly every part of society. From deepening inequality and unemployment to the erosion of democratic institutions and ecological collapse, the effects are far-reaching. These challenges are not unique. They reflect broader global patterns shaped by decades of neoliberal policies, corporate-driven globalisation, and the weakening of state capacity in favour of market-led agendas. There is a growing body of critique that connects these issues to rising poverty, hunger, social and psychological distress, and the increasing use of militarised and authoritarian responses by powerful states. But there is also resistance. Across the country and worldwide,
communities and social movements are building alternatives rooted in care, solidarity, and justice. These efforts point to new forms of education, political organisation, and collective consciousness that can help us reimagine the future. This webinar builds on discussions from previous events and focuses on these alternatives within the broader conversation on transforming knowledge for sustainable futures.
See the advertisement attached for the booking link.
WEBINAR: Presentation of DVV International’s work within the framework of the FAO agreement – Joint Programme on Rural Women's Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE)
| North Africa Webinar
Join us for this webinar, where our presenters will share insights about the project, its outcomes, and methodology, and present on 'Learning Differently: Andragogy in the Service of Rural Women.'
- Presenters: Monia Manai (Lead expert on the project), Kaouther Rassaa (Adult learning and Education specialist)
- Date: 24 July 2025
- Time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)
French / English
Call for applications to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC)
| Africa Workshop
Call for applications to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC): 15 May to 15 June 2025
As the call for applications to join the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is now open from 15 May to 15 June 2025, we invite cities/communities committed to promoting lifelong learning to seize this opportunity and become part of a vibrant global community dedicated to inclusive, sustainable, and innovative learning.
To support finalizing your application we invite you to an online Q&A session (for 35 min) next week on 5 June 2025 at 12 EAT (at 11h Germany time). We would appreciate if you could share this invitation within your network.
Please register here: https://unesco-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/o9r94IA-R3atlfVimyon1Q
All application details are available on our UIL website.
Should you not be available on that date and time, please inform Ms Angela Owusu-Boampong at a.owusu-boampong@unesco.org and Learning Cities learningcities@unesco.org for an alternative session opportunity.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
GNLC Coordination Team
WEBINAR: Abordagens no campo da Educação de Adultos e Jovens
| Africa Webinar
PARTICIPAR NO DEBATE
Apresentações de webinars
- REFLECT no Contexto Angolano - Associação Angolana para Educação de Adultos (AAEA) – Angola
- Alfabetização e Empoderamento das Mulheres - Tenderness And Love (TAL) - Moçambique
Data: 22 de maio de 2025
Tempo: 14h00 (Horário da África do Sul) / 13:00 – 14:30 (WAT)
Webinar: The role of educators in protecting the right to education in emergencies
| Africa Webinar
Through practical case studies from several Pamoja Education countries, the panelists will present the emergency education situation in their respective countries. The discussions will help formulate concrete recommendations for all stakeholders concerned with education.
Webinaire: Le rôle des éducateurs dans la protection du droit à l'éducation en situation d'urgence
| Africa Webinar
A travers des cas pratiques provenant de quelques pays de Pamoja Education les panélistes présenteront la situation de l'éducation en urgence de leur pays. Les discussions qui s'en suivront permettront de formuler des recommandations concrètes à l'endroit de toutes les parties prenantes de la chaîne éducative.
Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant en cliquant sur le lien ci-dessous:
Webinar: 'Lifelong learning for older adults: Bridging the grey digital divide'
| Global Webinar
Join us on 7 May 2025!
You are warmly invited to the webinar 'Lifelong learning for older adults: Bridging the grey digital divide' on 7 May 2025.
This webinar, organized by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the Institute for the Future of Education at Tec de Monterrey, will explore innovative digital learning initiatives that cater to the unique learning needs of older adults through accessible, inclusive and empowering provision.
Background
Limited digital skills, inaccessible technology and ageist stereotypes often exclude older people from opportunities to learn, communicate and participate actively in society.
Educational executives, experts and practitioners from different regions will share insights on effective digital skills programmes, policy environments that foster lifelong digital learning, and strategies that combat ageism by recognizing the active part that older adults can play in the digital era.
The discussion will highlight the ways in which inclusive digital learning can help older adults bridge the digital divide, integrate into today’s fast-evolving digital landscapes, and actively participate in and contribute to society.
Findings presented during this webinar are part of a UIL research project on reskilling & upskilling, intergenerational learning and digital learning for older adults, which is being implemented with the support of Shanghai Open University. Drawing on ongoing research, UIL will shortly be releasing a series of research reports, strategic policy recommendations and institutional guidelines for lifelong learning tailored to older adults.
Webinar information
Date and time
7 May 2025, 13.00–14.00 hours CEST
Programme
Welcome
- Ms Mo Wang, Programme Specialist / Project Lead on Lifelong Learning for Older Adults, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning
Expert inputs
- Redefining aging in a digital world: From retirement to reinvention
Professor José Escamilla, Associate Director of the Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico - The role of Geragogy in digital learning
Ms Carol Ma, Head (Gerontology Programmes) & Senior Fellow (CEL) | S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore - Harnessing the power of technology to change the way we age
Mr Alex Glazebrook, Vice President, Programs, Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, United States of America - Intelligence technology benefiting older adults: Digital learning makes life better!
Ms Yuan Wang, Associate Research Fellow, Shanghai University for the Senior, People’s Republic of China
Discussion
Summary and closing
Mr Raúl Valdés Cotera, Chief Programme Coordinator, UIL
Moderator: Ms Mo Wang, Programme Specialist, UIL
More information
Between 2020 and 2022, as part of an international research project initiated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in cooperation with Shanghai Open University (SOU) on the engagement of higher education institutions (HEIs) in lifelong learning, a study was conducted to ascertain the response of HEIs to the learning needs of ageing societies. The study, which focused on several thematic areas, was able to identify some of the main challenges that older adults face in accessing lifelong learning opportunities.
Building on these findings, UIL will carry out three thematic analyses – on reskilling and upskilling, intergenerational learning and digital learning for older adults – as part of its second agreement with SOU, which runs from 2023 to 2025. The aim of this research is to explore a broad range of institutions offering learning opportunities for older demographics, including beyond traditional HEIs, and will serve as not only a continuation of the original study but as an expansion of it.
Further information
Research project 'The benefits of lifelong learning for older adults'
Register for the next webinars in UIL's Global Webinar Series!
Upcoming events
Past events
MOJA Journal: The Role of Adult Learning and Education in Transforming Lives and Livelihoods
Join us for this webinar, where our MOJA Journal contributors will share insights on their articles: ‘Urban agriculture: A silent revolution’ and ‘From a quest for well-being to an entrepreneurial passion: My saffron learning journey’
- Presenters: Abdelhakim Zidi and Keltouma Adouane
- Date: 4 December 2025
- time: 14:00 -15:30 (SAST) / 12:00 – 13:30 (UTC)
English/French
Join UIL's November webinars!
14 November:
'Launch of the Greening Communities Guidance: Lifelong Learning for Climate and Sustainability Action'
Greening communities starts with learning!
By 2050, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, many already facing climate threats like extreme heat, flooding, and storms. Rural communities are also on the front lines, dealing with disrupted seasons and damaged ecosystems. The goodnews? Lifelong learning can empower communities everywhere to take climate action and build resilience.
Join us on 14 November 2025 for the launch of the Greening Communities Guidance publication, created by UIL and the World Organization of the Scout Movement under the Greening Education Partnership.
Discover core principles for green communities, minimum requirements and practical steps, tools and resources to turn learning into action.
Date and time
14 November 2025, 13:00 to 14:15 (CET)
19 November:
TVET Teachers and Lifelong Learning
Teachers are at the heart of lifelong learning systems. They not only enable individuals to reach their full potential, but also adapt to the rapid transformations of society, economies and labour markets. For Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers, this role is especially critical: by becoming lifelong learners and fostering lifelong learning capabilities, they prepare young people and adults alike to thrive in dynamic workplaces and to contribute to inclusive and sustainable societies.
To explore how policies and practices can support TVET teachers as both learners and facilitators of lifelong learning, join UIL and Shanghai Normal University for a webinar under the joint research project 'Teachers as Lifelong Learners'.
Date and time
19 November 2025, 13:00 to 14:00 (CET)
20 November:
The International Review of Education: 70 years of research in lifelong learning
The International Review of Education (IRE) is the longest-running journal of comparative education in the world. Founded in 1931 by Professor Friedrich Schneider of the University of Cologne, it has been published by UNESCO since 1955. In 2025, we mark 70 years of continuous publication.
IRE’s mission to foster understanding and cooperation in the field of education is more relevant than ever. It aims to publish the best new scholarship from around the world, while also influencing the development of policy and practice in the field of lifelong learning through evidence-based research.
Join us for this webinar as we celebrate the launch of the 70th anniversary special issue of the International Review of Education. This edition offers valuable insights into the evolution of lifelong learning and explores its significance for the future.
Date and Time
20 November 2025, 13:00 to 14:00 (CET)
Join the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning’s webinar series, where policymakers, experts and practitioners share insights and strategies to make lifelong learning a reality.