ADULT EDUCATION - FROM TRADITION TOWARDS FUTURE    

Adult learning opportunities are essential to ensure economic and social progress as well as personal fulfillment of individuals. The EU Strategic Framework for Cooperation in Education & Training highlights the crucial contribution of adult education and training to competitiveness, employability and social inclusion. In this context the Strategic partnership project ’’Multi-purpose center for adult education in clean environment – ECO-Center” (Erasmus+ program) proposes approach for combating adult unemployment in Europe having currently threatening dimensions. Recent development of ecology sector created employment opportunities and increasing needs of education as well. The vast expansion of economic activity is the main reason for the environmental decline and imposes negative effect on the global ecological situation. In this perspective the objectives pursued by the project ECO-Center are to:

• incorporate principles of adult education in the planning and development of programs/courses that meet organizational and adult learners’ needs;
• design and deliver adult learning experiences that address learners’ needs through the integration of adult learning philosophy and principles into practice;
• promote education, monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and use the data for program improvement, technical assistance for organization of mobility process, capacity building and accountability;
• apply EQF and ECVET validation instruments to facilitate recognition of skills and competences adopted at national level via adult education;
• facilitate public understanding, information exchange, demonstration of professionalism and promotion the philosophy, goals and objectives of adult education.

These measures include also experimental and pilot activities to help target beneficiaries in their cognitive process and learning associated with distance education, computer and information management, and bibliographic information. These activities encourage end-users to develop and strengthen skills in the areas of technology, research, new curricula, and team-working. Pilot training sessions will be undertaken to obtain enough information to launch any fully-fledged regional or European efforts.