Fifth International Conference on Adult Education ( CONFINTEA V ) The Economics and Financing of Adult Learning

CONFINTEA V reports contain the contributions to various themes on adult learning presented during the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education in Hamburg, in July 1997. The views and opinions expressed in this volume are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of UNESCO or the UIE. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this review do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO or UIE concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning its frontiers or boundaries. Recognising the specificity of different kinds of adult education and learning, Roy CARR-HILL analyses the costs of lost opportunities in adult learning and also assesses its social and economic benefits Jan van RAVENS examines some major developments in adult learning as well as the choices governments might make to stimulate adult learning.The focal point in policies, he says, will shift from financing learning inputs to recognising learning outcomes or competencies David ATCHOARENA examines the alternative approaches to organising training systems particularly with regard to allocating of roles between various social partners This report brings together five major papers dealing with different aspects in the economics and financing of adult learning. The UNESCO-PROAP four country impact study examines the social benefits of adult learning in developing countries. Roy Carr-Hill discusses the costs and benefits for Over-Serviced and developing countries. Ronald Pugsley shows how these social benefits are being taken into account in policy decisions about the financing of adult learning in the United States of America. Jan van Raven's paper focuses on future trends in adult learning policies which, he says, will need to shift from financing of learning inputs to recognising learning outputs or competencies, as these are likely to be among the hallmarks of the knowledge society. The paper by David Atchoarena examines the wider question of organising training systems, particularly with regard to the allocation of roles between the various social partners. All papers look at how alternative approaches to financing, given costs and benefit, can make adult learning a reality for all citizens. All five papers were originally presented during the workshop on theme nine, "The Economics of Adult Learning: The Role of the Government," held during UNESCO's Fifth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA V) in 1997 in Hamburg. This meeting marked a turning point in the conception …