The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning is the only organization in the UNESCO with a specific mandate to promote lifelong learning. It aims to strengthen the capacities of UNESCO Member States in the field of lifelong learning, with a focus on learning ecosystems, skills throughout life and inclusive education and learning
The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning strengthens the capacities of Member States to build effective and inclusive lifelong learning policies and systems, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. It aims to develop learning ecosystems that work across life, in every setting and benefit everyone.
UIL does this through building capacity at local and national levels, strengthening partnerships, and offering data and knowledge. Its publications constitute an important instrument to disseminate knowledge and inform policies. Contributing to the intellectual debate on lifelong learning, UIL also publishes the International Review of Education – Journal of Lifelong Learning, an international forum on policies and trends that provides perspectives on contemporary issues in lifelong learning.
UIL uses the Blog to publish expertise and opinion pieces on topics such as adult education and family learning.
The UIL global Literacy and Numeracy Practices Database (LitBase) comprises case studies of youth and adult literacy programmes representing some of the best practice around the world. It documents over 230 case studies from more than 95 countries in all world regions – making it a unique resource for providers and practitioners seeking to develop programmes that compare to the best in terms of design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and impact.