The policy of education in Denmark and other European countries has in recent years been marked by a shift of paradigm – from a humanistic agenda with focus on personal autonomy and democracy to an instrumental agenda with focus on employability and competition in the global market economy.
This neo-liberal agenda of livelong learning has without much critic gain influence at the political decision makers, and is now implemented both in the formal and non-formal area of education.
But our Nordic welfare model with a strong civil society and a living democracy deserve more. We deserve another view on livelong learning that maintains a humanistic and critical perspective. Livelong learning should also promote learning for life. Globalization should promote global citizenship too.
DANFØ - the umbrella association of Danish NGO-associations – has established a work group on livelong learning and democracy. The aim of the work group is to promote a humanistic and democratic view on livelong learning, especially regarding non-formal education and NGO activities in the civil society.
The work group adopted August 2008 the following task plan:
1. To observe the debate of livelong learning in the Baltic Sea Region with focus on democracy and civic rights.
2. To participate in the Danish, Nordic-Baltic and broader European debate with emphasis on the humanistic and democratic values, including UNESCO’s view on livelong learning.
3. To outline proposals for a strategy of EU’s”Northern Dimension” regarding the civil society.
4. To outline proposals regarding the annual priorities of the Nordplus Adult programme.
5. To promote an update and renewal of the White Paper of the Council of the Baltic Sea States regarding the legislation of NGO-activities and liberal adult education.
6. To develop educational tools that can promote the democracy and active citizenship.
7. To develop models for new cooperation between the non-formal adult education and local authorities.
8. To promote the founding of a Danish Academy for the civil society.
9. To participate in other national and international networks in the area of non-formal livelong learning.
10. To inform the members of Danfø about the work groups activities.
11. To arrange activities regarding the topics such as open meetings, seminars, development projects etc.
Read more about the work group on Danfø’s homepage.
