ABSTRACT

This chapter provides different adult education systems and summarizes some of the main types of approach in different countries. It argues that while national differences remain strong, the combined effects of globalisation, technological change and intergovernmental policy developments mean that there is a marked shift towards the weakening of national influences on adult education and increasing heterogeneity of provision reflecting factors other than national differences. The field of adult education and training is a broad one, and it is talked about in a number of different ways. UNESCO, which has a broad international focus, uses the term 'adult learning and education', which it defines as encompassing 'all formal, non-formal and informal or incidental learning and continuing education undertaken by adults'. While national differences remain strong, the combined effects of globalisation, technological change and intergovernmental policy developments are undoubtedly having some impact on adult education and training.