In response to Iain Watson's request for a definition of lifelong
learning, here are some suggestions:
The key source may be UNESCO and the definition by Jacques
Delors in 'Learning: the Treasure Within...' based on the four
'pillars' of:
learning to live together,
learning to know,
learning to do and
learning to be
This may not be ideal for a report so some of the definitions (or
aspirations) in 'The Learning Age' and the subsequent 'Creating
Learning Cultures: next steps in achieving the learning age'
(Fryer) may be useful, although not in the sound bite genre.
Paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 have some useful statements. (The paper is
available on-line at:
http://www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/nagcell2/index.htm
There are some useful statements about Learning Communities in
'Learning Towns and Cities'
http://www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/learningcities/index.htm , for
example one by Charles Landry and François Matarasso: Comedia,
1998. (See section entitled 'The Learning City')
A Common Wealth: Museums in the Learning Age (Anderson) has many
quotes that could be used.
Here is one I found on the web at
http://www.leonardocentre.fi/news/commitment.htm
"A supportive continuous educational process which encourages and
empowers individuals to acquire the knowledge, values, skills and
understanding they will need throughout their lifetimes and to
apply them with confidence, creativity and enjoyment in all
roles,
circumstances and environments" (European Lifelong Learning
Initiative ELLI)
Amongst other definitions at The Campaign for Learning at:
http://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/aboutcfl/abtlearn.htm is:
"Learning brings more happiness than having sex, playing or
watching sport or doing the National Lottery." (Finding
Happiness, Gallup/North Yorkshire TEC, 1997)
The same site has a definition of learning:
"Learning is a process of active engagement with experience. It
is what people do when they want to make sense of the world. It
may involve an increase in skills, knowledge, understanding,
values and the capacity to reflect. Effective learning leads to
change, development and a desire to learn more."
(http://www.campaign-for-learning.org.uk/aboutcfl/learndef.htm)
I am currently researching a paper for the Centre for Museum and
Gallery Education on lifelong learning and I would welcome
further discussion on this topic or other definitions that group
members may have.
Peter Clarke
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web site http://www.peter-clarke.co.uk
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