What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country)?
The Austrian Lifelong Learning Strategy (LLL:2020) was adopted on 5 July 2011 by the Council of Ministers. LLL:2020 implements a holistic approach to learning, from early childhood education and care to school and higher education, adult education and post-professional training and education. The strategy incorporates different policy areas of education, integration, labour market, economy, social and financial issues
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
The strategy for the implementation of lifelong learning in Austria was developed under the direction of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection.
Several key documents were embodied in the basis of the strategy, such as Guidelines for a Coherent Strategy (2007), Take the Opportunity of Learning (Chance Building) (2007) and Knowledge – Opportunities – Competences: Strategy on the implementation of lifelong learning in Austria (2009).
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
The Austrian Strategy for Lifelong Learning includes all levels of the education system, from early childhood to continuing education, including the retirement phase of life.
The LLL:2020 Task Force handles the coordination and operational control of the LLL strategy. The Task Force consists of representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection
The ‘National LLL:2020 Platform’ ensures that all relevant stakeholders are included in the implementation and guarantees the implementation of the work packages. It consists of representatives of the aforementioned federal ministries and of provinces, towns, municipalities, social partners, higher education establishments, Public Employment Service Austria and academics
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Who does it benefit and how?
The Austrian Strategy for Lifelong Learning promotes learning opportunities for persons in the retirement phase. The goal is to increase participation in education within this target group. To ensure high quality and availability of education, all educators working with older learners will be expected to obtain competences relevant to this age-group. Also, they should provide guidance and information about educational opportunities. Education should be offered close to people’s homes, taking into account intergenerational and technology-enhanced learning. This approach will promote innovative pedagogic models and improved qualification of educators. Investments will be required to improve the existing learning infrastructure. Quality measures will be developed and fundamental research on the issue will be intensified
The LLL:2020 strategy is based on the notions of gender equality and social justice; aiming at quality, sustainability, efficiency and innovation that benefits every segment of the population.
The LLL:2020 employs five interrelated strategies –
- life stage orientation: designing educational processes independent of and yet appropriate to age;
- focus on learners: interlinking or flexible places and forms of learning;
- lifelong guidance;
- competence orientation: to make qualifications transparent and comparable;
- promotion of participation in LLL: incentive and support measures
(Eurydice, 2018) .
The Strategy developed several ‘action lines’ that describe the specific targets and packages of measures:
- strengthening the notion of lifelong learning, from pre-school education and childcare to higher education, continuing education and training through adulthood and post-retirement;
- providing flexible learning pathways, through recognition of non-formal and informal learning and expanding alternative transition systems to working life to promote employability and competitiveness;
- promoting ‘community education’ and learning-friendly working environments;
creating an education system that assures equal opportunity for all.
References:
Eurydice. 2018. Austria: Lifelong learning strategy. [online] Available at: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/lifelong-learning-strategy-1_en [Accessed 27 August 2020].
UIL. 2011. Austria: Strategy for lifelong learning LLL:2020 issued in 2011. [online] Available at: https://uil.unesco.org/document/austria-strategy-lifelong-learning-lll2020-issued-2011#:~:text=Austria's%20Lifelong%20Learning%20Strategy%20is,and%20promotion%20of%20participation%20in [Accessed 27 August 2020].