We don`t have adult education... but we do have adult education offers!

The Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA) as the ouput document of the CONFINTEA VII can certainly be interpreted as having something substantial to offer for the ALE community: the recognition of ALE as an integral part of lifelong learning, the demand for a comprehensive ALE system or the emphasis on the importance of local ALE institutions such as Community Learning Centres (CLC). But what does this mean for UNESCO`s member countries?

SEAMEO CELL invites a large group of stakeholders

In Vietnam, an attempt was made to answer this question in a conference organized by the Centre for Lifelong Learning of the Southeast Asian Ministers Organisation (SEAMEO CELLL) which was supported by DVV International. The conference took place in Ho-Chi-Minh-City on 25^th October and involved participants from the host organization as well as from the Ministry of Education, Community Learning Centres, various associations involved in adult education and representatives from the governing board of SEAMEO CELLL from several other Southeast Asian countries.

The Regional Director of DVV International for Southeast Asia and the Focal Point for Vietnam´s national GRALE (Global Report on Adult Learning and Education) V Survey paved the way for further discussions by presenting the outcomes of the CONFINTEA VII and by shedding light on the current ALE situation in Vietnam. This was then followed by short inputs from neighbouring countries on good ALE practices and new objectives set after the CONFINTEA VII.

ALE in Vietnam – Or what do we call it?

After this stage was set, an entertaining and forward-looking debate developed. This debate went into an interesting direction at first when one participant admitted that the term “adult education” is rarely used in Vietnam – simply because it is not seen as opportune that adults need to learn – after all they are grown-ups already. The solution, however, is very simple: The term “continuing education” is used to a large extent and covers largely what we generally understand by adult education.

Indeed, the Vietnamese system of continuing education is sophisticated in many ways. Especially the existence of more than 10,000 CLCs is quite remarkable, even though quite a few of them are not fully functioning. This challenge and others were openly talked about in the afternoon of the conference – always with the objective to relate identified challenges to new opportunities that might open up with the implementation of the MFA. There was general agreement that even before there was a central push from the government to make Vietnam a “learning society,” it has always been part of Vietnamese culture to strive for further learning. On the other hand, several issues were raised where improvements are urgently needed: On a few occasions, participants talked about the need for a system of quality assurance. Furthermore, RVA (Recognition-Validation-Accreditation) mechanisms need to be put in place to further encourage people in their (informal/non-formal) learning. And finally, there was agreement that while funding for ALE (or continuing education) was limited, other ministries should be motivated to invest into the education of adults as well. All these points raised could become part of a Vietnamese adult education system. And in any case, the fact that the MFA postulates the need for separate ALE systems was welcomed by all participants.

The way forward – lifelong learning in Vietnam

Starting into the new interim period between two CONFINTEAs, Vietnam has already set itself ambitious objectives: Until 2025, a law on lifelong learning will be in place. This law has been wished for by all stakeholders in the education sector and even more by those involved in adult education. The development of this law will not only involve government actors but also other relevant protagonists such as the Vietnam Association for Learning Promotion (VALP) and the Vietnam Association for Education for ALL (VAEFA). In the near future, SEAMEO CELLL will further discuss all recommendations of the conference with the ministry and in doing so, it is confident that this will be met only with open ears.