26/03/2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM | online
The discussion day will open at 10 am, with a live expert session featuring
Aoife Crawford, Research and Policy Officer,
Margaret Murray, Literacy Student and Development Officer, both from the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Ireland,
Nils-Eyk Zimmermann, project manager of Dare Network.
Tamás Harangozó, European Basic Skills Network (moderator).
Background
In our current times democratic values are being tested by major disruptions, such as social polarisation, digital disruption, and war conflicts. In this context, adult learning has a crucial role to play. Beyond merely developing skills for employment, adult learning programmes can foster critical thinking, dialogue, participation and a shared understanding of democratic values.
This approach is reflected in a number of key EU policy frameworks, such as the Council Recommendation on Key Competences of Lifelong Learning and the Action Plan on Basic Skills, both of which dedicate attention to (active) citizenship in their scope on skills and competences.
This EPALE discussion invites educators, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to reflect on how citizenship and democratic engagement can be meaningfully embedded in adult learning programmes.