Translating lifelong learning policies in Flanders: A case study

Abstract

Over the last couple of years lifelong learning has been put forward strongly in policy documents drawn up at global and European level. Despite this attention to the importance of lifelong learning internationally, the participation rate in Flanders is low compared to the European average. This paper explores the actions the Flemish government takes to reinforce lifelong learning and to increase the number of people who engage in it. In a second step it analyzes how Ghent University is responding to the initiatives of the government and how lifelong learning policies are translated into concrete actions. To increase the number of participants, the university will undertake three key actions: (1) make it easier for professors to organize lifelong learning initiatives; (2) design the lifelong learning initiatives as flexibly as possible, starting from the educational needs of the target audience; and (3) discuss and co- create the content of the associated training with external stakeholders such as alumni and industry professionals.