Rationale of the policy
The Livre Blanc from 2013 follows up with the European Strategy 2020 document of the European Commission, 2012. After this, the government of Luxembourg implemented a program with explicit priorities such as, to increase efficiency of lifelong learning; implement support services for lifelong learning and equip personnel with all the information about training, validation of skills from experience and recognition of training; implement a pedagogy adapted to adults; and diversify educational opportunities. Following this, the programme called S3L aims to improve transparency and coherence of the lifelong learning plans from Luxembourg which contributes to the strategy for lifelong learning. This project had been co-ordinated by the National Agency for the European Lifelong Program for Education and Training (ANEFORE) under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP). The Livre Blanc is the result of national consultations.
Concept of lifelong learning
This document defines lifelong learning like the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training in 2008 did as ‘any learning activity made in any moment in life, in order to improve knowledge, know how, aptitudes, skills and/or qualification, in a personal, social and/or vocational perspective’. Moreover, the document states that lifelong learning targets everyone, regardless of age or context of learning. Thus, it includes initial education (fundamental education, secondary education, vocational education and higher education), as well as education and training of adults without distinction of type of education; formal, non-formal or informal. Nevertheless, the Livre Blanc limits its policy to adult education and training, except for the orientation part that covers the full range of lifelong learning.
Main challenges
- The improvement of transparency and coherence about lifelong learning through dissemination of information to the people of Luxemburg on the importance of lifelong learning, co-ordination of all the partners and an integration of proposed measures into the Livre Blanc that aims to create a political reflection for a better adequacy between opportunities and demands and an adaptation of existing tools to concrete needs of population
- Educational pathways and specific tools have to be developed to respond to the needs of the learner in every step of his or her life
- Lack of information about educational opportunities, results of learning, possibilities of educational support for any individuals who wish to get information
- The school orientation is only based on failure which does not encourage or motivate the progression of learners
Main targets and measures
This policy defines a strategy for lifelong learning and considers lifelong learning necessary for individuals of all ages. Thus, the policy expresses the strategy for lifelong learning through six principles and eight measures.
The principles are the guidelines of the strategy. They promote learning processes adapted to various phases of the learner’s life; put the learner at the centre of the learning process by promoting environments propitious to learning; support the learner in his or her educational choices through a co-ordinated and professionalized orientation; implement a certification system, transparent and permeable with transferable units; systematically develop the quality of lifelong learning; and stimulate participation of lifelong learning by developing measures that facilitate access to educational opportunities for everyone and make the individual conscious about their rights to lifelong education.
The eight measures are:
- Implementing the framework of qualification for Luxemburg people
- Adapting the lifelong learning plan to the life cycle of the learner
- Adjusting the lifelong learning plan to the diversity of the society of Luxemburg
- Concentrating all the information about lifelong learning on the same platform
- Developing the quality of adult education
- Professionalizing the lifelong learning orientation plan
- Making the individual responsible for his or her orientation
- Creating a consultative commission of lifelong learning
A learning society targets people of all ages, and has the potential to extend its voice through the development of information for everyone. It is based on the development of the formal, informal and non-formal education. Nevertheless, some of the measures concern only adults whereas others concern individuals of all ages.
Particular feature of the policy
This strategy for lifelong learning places the learner in the centre of educational and training policies and expresses general orientations of the strategy through six principles that lead to eight measures previously enunciated in order to improve lifelong learning. It focuses on the importance of communication and information to the people to get a large audience. Moreover, it concerns all ages and types of learners, gives a clear definition of lifelong learning and aligns the strategy to the European Framework. Finally, it answers to the previous governmental project of Luxemburg and enunciates the steps until the achievement of this strategy.
Relevant documents that the strategy refers to:
- European Commission. 2010. Europe 2020: a European strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
- Council of the European Union. 2001. Report from Education Council to the European Council on the concrete future objectives in education and training systems
Stakeholders involved in the development of the strategy:
- National Agency for the European Lifelong Education and Training Program – (ANEFORE), under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), and with a methodological support by the Coordination Service of Research and pedagogical and technological innovations (SCRIPT)
- A steering committee led by the Minister of National Education and Vocational Training to guide and support the project made up of representatives from the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Ministry of Family and the Integration – Luxembourg Reception and Integration Agency, as well as the National Institute for the development of Vocational continuing education (INFPC)
Stakeholders responsible for implementation of the strategy:
- Consultative mission of lifelong learning, chaired by the Chairwoman of ANEFORE, and made up of representatives from various ministries (e.g., Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Childhood and Youth, Ministry of Higher Education and Research and Ministry of Family and Integration), by the five professional Chambers (Agriculture, Business, States and public Employees, Jobs and Employees); by the National Institute for Development of Continuous and Vocational Education, public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education, Children and Youth
Issuing Body
Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training
