An event celebrated in Brussels by the European Commission marks the launch of the European Agenda for Adult Learning. Overall, this agenda shows a renewed commitment to adult learning at EU level. It focuses on providing second-chance opportunities for low qualified adults by strengthening their basic skills, such as literacy, numeracy and digital knowledge.

Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, was in charge of the the European Agenda for Adult Learning launching in a Conference celebrated in Brussels on 27-28 February. The Agenda, which was formally adopted by the Council in November 2011 whose implementation phase is launched now, focuses on providing second-chance opportunities for low qualified adults by strengthening their basic skills, such as literacy, numeracy and digital knowledge.

The Launch Conference on European Agenda for Adult Learning has brought together stakeholders and Member States to explore possibilities for co-operation and to bring learning opportunities to the attention of a maximum number of adults. According to Ms Vassiliou, this is the key to a flexible, adaptable, and above all employable, workforce. The key therefore to sustained economic growth; and it is also the key to making European societies more inclusive.

The European Union target for average participation in lifelong learning across the EU is 15% by 2020, for adults aged 25-64. The Agenda predicts that, by the same year, adult learning systems will be faced with a strong demand for access to high-quality lifelong learning opportunities and an enhanced role for local authorities, employers, social partners, civil society and cultural organisations. Among the issues targeted for action in the Agenda are improved quality assurance, viable funding, accessible information and guidance, validation of non-formal and informal learning and a focus on well-developed learning provision for seniors to support their active ageing and enable them to contribute to society for longer.