There is an invisible thread that connects a child taking their first steps at school, an adult reinventing themselves after a crisis, and an elderly person discovering new passions. That thread is learning—a rebellious act against inertia, an antidote to the disorder of the world. The 2024 Annual Report of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is about more than numbers and programs: it tells the story of the vital need for education that accompanies each of us, at every stage of life, to build societies capable of renewal and of looking to the future.

In 2024, UIL worked on multiple fronts to turn the right to lifelong learning into a tangible reality. Thanks to its support for 25 countries and 25 cities, the Institute helped governments and communities develop policies, strategies, and programs to ensure quality learning opportunities for all—regardless of age or background.

At the heart of these efforts lies the Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA), adopted by 149 countries (including Italy), which calls for:

• a significant increase in investment in adult education (at least 4–6% of GDP or 15–20% of public spending on education);

• broader, more inclusive participation in learning programs;

• the setting of ambitious national targets to reach the most vulnerable groups.

Learning Cities: Local Networks, Global Impact

Cities are key players in educational transformation. In 2024, 64 new cities across 35 countries joined the Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), bringing the total to 356 member cities and involving 390 million citizens. Here, learning can be felt in parks, libraries, workplaces, and even digital spaces.

Among the most inspiring initiatives:

• Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire) focused on green economy, social inclusion, and strengthening cohesion through its Sustainable Bouaké project.

• Canning (Australia) transformed its libraries into hubs for bridging the digital divide, offering 2,450 training activities and free resources.

Who’s Driving Change (and Who’s Falling Behind)

The 2024 UIL Report highlights both good practices and critical challenges:

• Morocco stands out for excellence in digital literacy for educators, with a program aimed at training 10,000 teachers by 2025, supported by Huawei technology.

• Germany is a consolidated model for lifelong learning, as host and funder of UIL.

• Cameroon joined the Global Alliance for Literacy, ready to seize international opportunities to improve literacy.

Yet the global picture remains worrying: 754 million adults lack basic skills, and fewer than 5% have access to learning opportunities. In many countries—including Italy—efforts still fall short of ensuring truly inclusive lifelong education.

Climate, Digital Skills, Equality: The New Frontiers of Education

2024 was a year of innovation:

• Jubail Commitment: GNLC cities pledged to strengthen education for climate action, integrating environmental policies with local learning strategies.

• DELTA (Digital Empowerment for Lifelong Learning): a framework for enhancing adult educators’ digital skills, piloted in countries like Kenya, Uzbekistan, and China.

• Media and Information Literacy: more than 600 educators trained to help adults navigate the digital ecosystem, countering disinformation and online hate.

Education and Gender Equality: An Indispensable Pairing

There can be no development without equality. That’s why UIL launched:

• in Egypt, an innovative curriculum for women’s empowerment, with modules on women, family, and community;

• in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria, programs to strengthen women’s skills through non-formal education.

Looking Ahead: GRALE 6 and Beyond

2026 will see the release of GRALE 6 (Global Report on Adult Learning and Education), monitoring how countries are translating MFA commitments into concrete action. The focus will be on how adult learning can help address the crises of our time: digitalization, climate emergencies, economic challenges, and migration.

In the meantime, UIL continues its research on:

• the impact of education in prisons (with an unprecedented collection of global good practices);

• the benefits of learning for older adults, with a focus on digital skills, intergenerational exchange, and inclusion.

Why should we read the 2024 UNESCO UIL Annual Report?

Because it’s much more than an account of activities: it’s a map for navigating a changing world, and an invitation to help build communities that never stop learning. Inside you’ll find ideas, examples, and data to help turn the promise of lifelong learning into reality. An opportunity to understand, act, and make a difference—wherever you are.

👉 Download the full report from the official website of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and be inspired by the good practices that are changing the world.