Valuing, sharing and using our “collective memory”

The idea for this special issue of the International Review of Education – Journal of Lifelong Learning (IRE) emerged in 2019, when preparations were under way for landmark anniversaries of a number of associations and seminal publications in the field of Adult Learning and Education (ALE). Sadly, Chris Duke, the fourth member of our team of guest editors, died in 2023 and did not see the completion of this spe-cial issue. We have lost a dear friend and colleague, with whom we collaborated on many projects, publications and professional joint efforts. His life’s work epitomises our focus on research and engagement which builds a collective memory, learning both from the past and across cultures. His thinking was central to the development of this special issue and we are honoured to dedicate it to his memory.This special issue is oriented towards the future of adult education, within the wider landscape of lifelong learning. In looking ahead, we believe it is important to appreciate, and build upon, past developments as part of what might be called a “collective history”, or what anthropologists term our “collective memory” – giving due recognition to the importance of knowledge gained and passed on through oral and Indigenous traditions.