Operationalizing the policy discourse of lifelong learning: The challenges for Africa

The policy discourse of Lifelong Learning was introduced in the international scene in the seventies with the Faure Report issued by UNESCO in 1972. Since then, the discourse of lifelong learning has been interpreted in different ways Briefly tracing the history of the discourse, the paper demonstrates the evolution of the term from lifelong education to lifelong learning, and additionally identifies the main issues that have emerged through time. By giving examples of the implementation of the policy discourse of lifelong learning, it shows that lifelong learning is relevant to all countries in the world. This paper argues that lifelong learning as policy discourse is inherently related to the Education for All agenda; therefore countries in the African region will benefit from integrating its principles in their educational visions and consequent operationalization in their educational plans and programs.