International Adult Education

Abstract

In this article, Dr. Budd Hall examines the history, contemporary challenges, and international dimensions of adult education. Tracing its origins to nineteenth-century social reform, labour, and popular education movements, the article highlights the transnational exchange of ideas and practices that shaped adult education initiatives across industrialized and developing societies. It examines adult learning within the context of globalization, emphasizing its contested role in addressing inequality, fostering democratic participation, and supporting social transformation. The article also discusses the significance of international conferences and organizations, particularly UNESCO and the International Council for Adult Education, in advancing global adult learning. It identifies key trends in international adult education, including divergent policy approaches between wealthy and developing nations, the emergence of learning spaces beyond formal institutions, and the declining visibility of adult education within international development agendas. Despite these challenges, the article affirms adult education's continuing relevance as a site of learning, advocacy, and social transformation.