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Contents
Preface ... 7
1. Introduction ... 9
2. EU Policies on Education and Adult Education ... 13
2.1 Brief introduction to the policies of the European Commission ... 13
2.2 EU Policy on Education: Education and Training 2010 ... 15
2.3 EU Policy on Adult Learning & Lifelong Learning ... 17
2.4 Other relevant EU bodies: The European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions ... 27
3. Support for Research in Adult Education in the European Union .... 31
3.1 The Lifelong Learning Programme (2007-2013) ... 32
3.2 7thFramework Programme (2007-2013) ... 34
3.3 Other EU programmes with opportunities for research ... 39
3.4 European Social Funds (ESF) ... 40
4. Main Areas of Research in AE: Research on Migration ... 45
4.1 Overview of main contents ... 45
4.2 Towards greater employability and social inclusion of migrant groups ... 45
4.3 Gender approach ... 49
4.4 Counselling and support ... 50
4.5 Overcoming misunderstandings between diverse cultural groups .... 52
4.6 Training for adult educators in intercultural education ... 54
4.7 Conclusions ... 56
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5. Main Areas of Research in AE: Research on Inclusion,
Access and Participation ... 61
5.1 Overview of main contents ... 61
5.2 Threats to equal opportunities and social inclusion in AE ... 62
5.3 Fostering participation in adult learning ... 66
5.4 The dialogic approach in AE to promote social inclusion ... 68
5.5 Conclusions ... 70
6. Main Areas of Research in AE: Professionalization, Assessment and Counselling ... 73
6.1. Overview of main contents ... 73
6.2 Preparing professionals for lifelong learning ... 74
6.3 Effective models of professional development ... 78
6.4 Conclusions ... 80
7. Main areas of Research in AE: Learning in the Workplace ... 83
7.1 Overview of main contents ... 83
7.2 Acquisition of skills for the workplace ... 83
7.3 Factors affecting learning in the workplace ... 85
7.4 Learning in the workplace from a critical perspective ... 87
7.5 Conclusions ... 91
8. International Organisations and Networks with an Impact on Adult Education ... 93
8.1 Looking beyond Europe’s borders ... 93
8.2 Adult education associations in Europe and beyond ... 100
8.3 Summary: Some of today’s main topics in international AE ... 105
9. Summary ... 109
List of Abbreviations ... 113
Annotated Bibliography ... 115
References ... 117
Links ... 129
About the Author ... 135
