 Dear friends of UIL,Welcome to the latest edition of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) Bulletin. In this issue, we feature highlights such as the recent capacity-building workshop ‘Lifelong Learning and the Right to Education – Strengthening National Capacities for Monitoring Adult Learning and Education’, which also marked the launch of data collection for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 6). We also share news about a new partnership agreement with the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (FA-ATLV), the Annual General Meeting of the Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL), and the Action Research on Measuring Literacy Learning and Educational Alternatives (RAMAED). Other updates include the launch of a new open-source course, Digital Empowerment for Adult Educators in the Age of AI, the first Forum of Learning Cities in Europe and North America, a regional conference on adult learning and education in cities, and more. You will also find information on our upcoming public webinars as part of the series Unlocking the Potential of Lifelong Learning, as well as our latest publications. I hope you enjoy reading this edition. Isabell Kempf, UIL Director IN FOCUS Capacity-building workshop: ‘Lifelong Learning and the Right to Education – Strengthening National Capacities for Monitoring Adult Learning and Education’  From 16 to 18 September 2025, UIL and the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (FA-ATLV) hosted a regional capacity-building workshop in Rabat, Morocco. The event brought together national teams from 15 African countries to strengthen data collection and monitoring for adult learning and education (ALE) in preparation for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 6). Building on CONFINTEA VII and the Marrakech Framework for Action, the workshop focused on monitoring commitments, improving national data systems and promoting inclusive lifelong learning policies. Learn more ►  UIL and African Foundation for Lifelong Learning sign partnership agreement to advance lifelong learning across Africa On 16 September 2025, UIL and FA-ATLV signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Rabat, marking the beginning of a three-year strategic collaboration to strengthen lifelong learning and adult education across the African continent. Learn more ►  Interview: From data to impact – Why monitoring adult education is essential In the run-up to the regional capacity-building workshop in Rabat, UIL spoke with H.E. Ms Zohour Alaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Germany, Vice-Chair of the UIL Governing Board and Chair of the 39th Session of the UNESCO General Conference (2017); Mr Aziz Kaichouh, President of FA-ATLV; and Ms Isabell Kempf, Director of UIL, about the importance of ALE and the objectives of the event. Learn more ►  By fostering inclusive dialogue and building capacity at all levels, we are advancing the right to education for learners of all ages across Africa and promoting lifelong learning as a public good.Ms Isabell Kempf, UIL Director  The FA-ATLV, created in February 2024 following the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI at CONFINTEA VII, aims to promote a shared culture of lifelong learning across Africa. It supports the development of national strategies, facilitates the sharing of experiences between African countries and assists stakeholders in implementing appropriate action plans. Mr Aziz Kaichouh, President of the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (FA-ATLV)  Lifelong learning plays a decisive cross-cutting role in achieving national priorities, particularly through its impact in several strategic areas: strengthening human capital, promoting social and territorial justice, accelerating digital and ecological transitions, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, and consolidating educational governance. H.E. Ms Zohour Alaoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Germany  Data collection for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education launchedUIL has officially launched the data collection survey for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 6). This marks a critical milestone in the global effort to monitor and advance ALE in the face of accelerating global change. Learn more ► News  International Literacy Day: GAL Annual Meeting and Action Research on Measuring Literacy Learning and Educational AlternativesOn 9 September 2025, UIL hosted the Annual General Meeting of the UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy (GAL) and the Action Research on Measuring Literacy Learning and Educational Alternatives (RAMAED). The event, held online in the context of International Literacy Day in Paris, brought together representatives from GAL and RAMAED countries, associate members and partners. Discussions focused on national priorities, lessons learned from the GAL Strategy evaluation and the future direction of the Alliance towards the GAL Strategy 2030. Learn more ►  University of Hamburg joins UNESCO Global Alliance for Literacy as associate memberThe University of Hamburg has officially joined the Global Alliance for Literacy as an associate member. The announcement was made during the Annual Meeting of GAL on 9 September 2025. This milestone reflects the longstanding partnership between UIL and the University of Hamburg, rooted in a shared commitment to advancing youth and adult literacy worldwide. Learn more ►  UIL launches new open-source course: Digital Empowerment for Adult Educators in the Age of AI and Emerging TechnologiesIn today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, it is more important than ever to empower adult educators to integrate AI and emerging technologies into their teaching practices – ethically and effectively. To support this goal, UIL, under the Marrakech Framework for Action and with the generous support of Shanghai Open University, has launched a new open-source, self-paced course: Digital Empowerment for Adult Educators in the Age of AI and Emerging Technologies. Learn more ►  Empowering adult educators in Kenya with digital skillsThrough its Empowerment for Lifelong Learning and Transformative Andragogy (DELTA) project, UIL is supporting Kenya in strengthening adult educators’ digital competencies to build inclusive and future-ready learning environments. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education of Kenya, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO and the UNESCO Nairobi Office, UIL organized a stakeholder workshop to adapt the DELTA framework to national needs Learn more ►  Learning cities in Europe and North America convene for first regional forumUNESCO learning cities gathered in Évry-Courcouronnes (France) on 11 and 12 September 2025 for the first Forum of Learning Cities in Europe and North America. Jointly organized by the learning cities of Évry-Courcouronnes and Cork (Ireland), with the support of UIL, the forum builds on the work initiated by UIL through the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC). Its aim is to strengthen exchanges, foster cooperation and promote lifelong learning as a driver of sustainable development. Learn more ►  Regional conference: Adult Learning and Education as a Responsibility of Local AuthoritiesOn 16 and 17 September 2025, DVV International, the UNESCO Learning City of Chișinău (Republic of Moldova) and UIL hosted the conference ‘Adult Learning and Education as a Responsibility of Local Authorities’. The event brought together around 60 municipal decision-makers from Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, providing a platform to share regional best practices alongside international examples from the GNLC.  Gender Talk: Brushing off bias – Art, culture, learning and gender equalityHow can art and lifelong learning challenge gender bias and foster inclusion? On 11 September 2025, UIL and the MARKK museum in Hamburg (Germany) hosted the Gender Talk: ‘Brushing off bias – Art, culture, learning and gender equality’ to explore the powerful role of artistic and cultural expression in shaping – and reshaping – gender narratives. Learn more ► Events  Capacity-building workshops: Strengthening lifelong learning across the globe From 14 to 17 October 2025, UIL, in cooperation with Shanghai Open University, will host a series of capacity-building workshops for country and city teams. These workshops aim to strengthen lifelong learning at both national and local levels. Key topics include strengthening education systems from a lifelong learning perspective, education for sustainable development, and enhancing digital skills for adult educators. Learn more ►  Capacity-building workshop: ‘Strengthening data collection for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education’From 15 to 16 October 2025, UIL and Shanghai Normal University will co-host a regional capacity-building workshop in Shanghai, China, focused on strengthening data collection for the Sixth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education. The workshop will bring together stakeholders from 14 countries across Asia and Europe. Learn more ► Unlocking the Power of Lifelong Learning: A global webinar series  Don’t miss the next webinars in the series:  On 15 October 2025, the GNLC will host the webinar ‘Exploring Learning through Culture: Leveraging the Arts to Empower Cities’. The session will explore how culture and artistic practices can shape urban learning experiences.Learn more and register now  On 28 October 2025, UIL and Shanghai Normal University (SHNU) will host the webinar ‘TVET Teachers and Lifelong Learning’. The session will explore the evolving role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) teachers in fostering a culture of lifelong learning, highlight global trends, and examine the opportunities and challenges they face.Learn more and register now Watch the recording of our latest webinar, ‘From Chalkboards to Chatbots: Educating Adults in the AI Era’  Publications  |
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