CRADALL, together with the University of Glasgow's GLACIER network, is delighted to host the first of two seminars focusing on VET  These seminars bring together scholars engaged in vocational education, skills formation, and comparative education research. All welcome. See below and attached for moe information. Our first session features Dr Xinmiao Song (Lingnan University) who will talk about ambition versus reality in vocational educatoin in China.

Professor Ellen Boeren spoke at the 2025 Gyeonggi Global Lifelong Learning Leadership Conference on 23 September 2025.

What’s the purpose of adult education and lifelong learning in the times of crises?

Adult education has traditionally focused on providing equal opportunities of education and learning for all, especially in the Nordic countries. Education has been considered as a public good, valuable in itself, a firm foundation for a democratic society and a source of opportunities for meaningful work. In today’s world we are facing multiple crises such as climate change, digital disruption/AI, disinformation, social polarization and involuntary migration. In these circumstances adult education and adult education research become more important than ever in addressing the aforementioned global challenges. Research based knowledge forms a solid basis for tackling these threats. Adult education and lifelong learning are crucial in educating citizens in facing these multiple challenges.

Marking the 35th Anniversary of the European Federation of Older Students (EFOS), this seminar seeks to disseminate and promote new initiatives to give new social meaning to older people in later years.