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Challenges: Formalisation as a threat to adult education

According to Leikn one of the main challenges in Iceland is the formalisation of adult education. The government is taking an instrumental approach to education, prioritizing employability and adapting the education system to serve the needs of the working life.

Meanwhile, the adult education sector continues to advocate for the importance of informal and non-formal learning. In their work, Leikn draws particular attention to the relevance of civic education and the overall recognition of adult learning and education for change. In 2019 they translated and published EAEA’s “Manifesto for Adult Learning in the 21st Century: The Power and Joy of Learning.”

As civil society is only partially included in the implementation of adult education policies, Leikn’s mission is to continue advocacy work around informal education and civic education. Drafting a recommendation to the Icelandic government, Leikn would like the government to recognize the importance of informal adult education and rethink the allocation of resources in the post covid era.