On 28th November 2024, an engaging webinar on lifelong learning was held as part of the Partner UP initiative, bringing together Italian key stakeholders and experts in the field of adult education. Hosted online via Google Meet.
The webinar also marked the starting point for a path towards establishing the General States of Lifelong Learning, aiming to create a comprehensive framework for advancing adult education initiatives in Italy, providing an opportunity to discuss the current state of lifelong learning in Italy, share best practices and explore strategies to strengthen and expand territorial networks for lifelong learning.
The webinar, facilitated by Sylvia Liuti – FORMA.Azione, opened with an introduction and a discussion of the event’s objectives, led by Paolo Sciclone of GNAP (National Group for Lifelong Learning). This contribution set the tone for the discussions, highlighting the critical importance of lifelong learning in addressing societal challenges and fostering individual growth.
Chiara Marchetta from FORMA.Azione followed with a presentation on the status of the Partner UP project, outlining its current priorities and the intervention strategies needed to strengthen lifelong learning initiatives. Her insights provided a foundation for the subsequent exchanges, emphasising the necessity of collaboration and innovation in addressing the gaps in Italy’s adult education system.
The core of the event featured an enriching panel discussion with contributions from various regional representatives and networks. Claudio Meneghini from CPIA Monza Brianza and Raffaele Cavaliere from CPIA Caserta shared insights from their respective RETAP networks (Territorial Networks for Lifelong Learning). These networks exemplify regional efforts to build sustainable ecosystems for adult learning and demonstrated how localised approaches can create impactful outcomes.
Further enriching the discussion were presentations by Fausta Scardigno from the University of Bari, who shared the achievements of the Centro per l’Apprendimento Permanente (Centre for Lifelong Learning), and Lorenza Venturi of INDIRE (Italian Erasmus+ Agency), who introduced Erasmus+ initiatives for promoting adult education opportunities. Fabrizio Dacrema of Forum Terzo Settore and Daniela Venturi of RISCAT Toscana highlighted the role of community and third-sector organisations in enhancing adult education through collaborative frameworks.
The audience played an active role during the open discussion session moderated by Vittoria Gallina from GNAP. This segment allowed participants to ask questions, share insights, and engage directly with the speakers. The lively exchange underscored the diverse perspectives and challenges faced by stakeholders in adult education.
To close the event, Sylvia Liuti from FORMA.Azione and GNAP representatives synthesised the key takeaways, paving the way for future initiatives. The discussions revealed a clear need for a more structured and sustainable system to support lifelong learning. Identifying best practices, addressing resource gaps and strengthening collaboration were among the highlighted priorities.
