Governance; diffusion; international organizations
Abstract :
[en] While the 1970s still knew 'permanent education' (Council of Europe), 'recurrent education' (OECD)
and 'lifelong education' (UNESCO), over the past 20 years, 'lifelong learning (LLL)' has become the
single buzz word and catch-all term for reform in above all (pre-) primary, higher and adult education
in both national and international education policy making. Both highly industrialized and less
industrialized countries embrace the term, in many cases motivated by international and supranational
organizations. Yet, literature and empirical investigation on the content of their LLL concepts and their
diffusion mechanisms remain, at best, scant.
Based on the premises of world polity theory, the paper first wants to demonstrate the worldwide
diffusion of concepts of lifelong learning as found in national education reports and international
organizations' statements. It then sheds light on the particular lifelong learning positions in the concepts
of the European Union, the World Bank and UNESCO. Particular attention will be given to
international organizations as 'theorists' or 'norm catalysts' in applying cognitive and normative
diffusion mechanisms.
Disciplines :
Sociology & social sciences
Author, co-author :
Zapp, Mike ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Education, Culture, Cognition and Society (ECCS)
External co-authors :
no
Language :
English
Title :
Globalizing and Regionalizing Lifelong Learning - International Organizations' Role in the Diffusion of Lifelong
Publication date :
2013
Event name :
ISA Annual Convention "The Politics of International Diffusion: Regional and Global Dimensions
