Wednesday, 21 January 2026 DVV International and its cooperation partners celebrated their long-standing collaboration with more than 50 guests during the annual Agreement Signing Ceremony at DVV International’s Regional Office in Vientiane. The partners, which included the Department for Non-Formal Education (DNFE) of the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and the Faculty of Education (FeD) of the National University of Laos, were joined by the German Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr Hans-Ulrich Südbeck.
DVV International, the German Adult Education Association, supports the establishment of sustainable structures for adult education and lifelong learning in Lao PDR, with DNFE as its main partner. During the ceremony, Mr. Souphab Khounvixay, Deputy Director of DNFE, and Mr. Uwe Gartenschlaeger, Regional Director for Southeast Asia at DVV International reaffirmed their shared commitment by signing an Agreement. The partnership will focus on implementing the Decree for Lifelong Learning through cross-sectoral policy dialogue, the use of digital tools in equivalency and basic vocational skills programs, and the promotion of model community learning centres, where proven and innovative adult education approaches will be piloted at the local level.
Furthermore, the collaboration with the Faculty of Education (FeD) was strengthened through the signing of the Agreement by Dr. Say Phonekeo, Deputy Dean of the FeD, and Mr Uwe Gartenschlaeger. Under the new agreement, efforts will focus on implementing the Decree for Lifelong Learning, including the nationwide roll-out of the lifelong learning curriculum at Teacher Training Institutes, and the establishment of a Lifelong Learning Centre at the FeD.
The event featured brief presentations by key partners, including the DNFE, the NFE Development Centre, the FeD, and the Lao Youth Union, followed by a Q&A session and a discussion on future opportunities for collaboration among the four partners. To strengthen the partnerships, insights on related projects, lessons learned and challenges were shared.
During the event, speeches were delivered by key representatives. Mr. Souphab Khounvixay congratulated the two partners and expressed his hope that the comprehensive concept of lifelong learning will continue to advance in Lao PDR. Mr. Hans-Ulrich Südbeck of the German Embassy emphasized that lifelong learning plays a pivotal role in sustainable development and inclusive growth in the country. He encouraged DNFE, FeD, and other governmental and development partners to continue their promising efforts to make lifelong learning a reality in Lao PDR. Mr. Uwe Gartenschlaeger shared experiences and outcomes from the successful cooperation and gave an outlook about the future activities planned for 2026.
DVV International is the international institute of the German Adult Education Association (DVV). As a leading professional organisation in the field of adult education and development, it has been supporting lifelong learning for more than 50 years. Since 2009, DVV International has been cooperating with the Department of Non-Formal Education of the (MoES) in Lao PDR.