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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to detect, present and compare the lifelong learning policies in Greece and Ireland. The main aim is to obtain an integrated view about the political perceptions, the institutions and the practices of lifelong learning in the national education systems of those two countries. An additional target is to trace the relation between the supra-national education policies and the national educational policies. In order to achieve the forth mentioned targets the comparative method is used. The route of the study is: narration of the phenomena, comprehension and finally interpretation. There are five categories of comparison and analysis between the two countries: historical background, legislative framework, financing, structures, participation in lifelong learning as well as the indicators of the Lisbon Strategy. The conclusions of the study can be summarized in the followings: these two countries began their efforts for the formation of a coherent lifelong learning policy from a totally different starting point, due to their historical background. In the legislative field, Ireland has greater tradition (mainly in education training) but until today has not yet create o coherent legislative framework for lifelong learning. On the other hand, Greece despite the lack of experience has created (in 2005) a coherent legislative framework for lifelong learning. The two countries have also developed similar structures to promote and to develop lifelong learning, following the guidelines from the European Union. The greatest diversification between those two countries is the involvement of the private sector. In Ireland, AONTAS and NALA, which are private-volunteer structures, are mega actors in the field of lifelong learning while in Greece there is almost no interest from the private sector for the lifelong learning policies. Today, the participation percentage in lifelong learning activities shows a 5,5% difference between the two countries, as Ireland has a 7,6% of participation in lifelong learning while Greece has only a 2,1% being the worst country in European Union. Finally, we could say that both countries are very obedient to the wills of European Union and the supra national policies have overruled the national policies.