Lifelong Learning in Europe

Abstract

Lifelong learning has become an indispensable concept in our lives in the 21st century with the advent of technologies and the development of knowledge-based economies and societies. This concept has given a variety of names, such as lifelong education, recurrent education, and adult education. With the establishment of the European Union (EU), economic and civic issues have become more important in terms of social integration and economic competitiveness in Europe in 1980s. As a solution to these challenges, several lifelong learning programs were launched by the EU, including Erasmus, Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci, and Grundtvig. Since the Erasmus program covers university students in terms of a formal schooling period and staff in the higher education setting and people employed by private businesses, it seems a hybrid and prominent solution for lifelong learning in Europe. Therefore, after some information about lifelong learning and adult education are provided, how the Erasmus program works is explained, and some statistics are given to emphasize its importance for Europe.