The Goals, Architecture and Means of Lifelong Learning. Background Paper.

This paper examines the goals, architecture, and means of lifelong learning. The following are among the topics discussed: economic and social dimensions of the forces pushing Europe toward a learning society (investing in people; promoting employment in an era of structural change; making firms key partners in the learning society; overcoming the fragmentation of life into education, work, and retirement; forging new routes to equal opportunities; diversifying education and training opportunities in Europe); clarification of goals and purposes (reconciling cultural, social, and economic goals; building on past achievements; devising a new "systemic" logic); movement toward a flexible architecture of institutions and opportunities (a learner-centered, consumer-led process of change; learning outcomes as a rallying point; redistribution of life chances); strategic changes in institutional frameworks (schools as foundations for lifelong learning up to age 16; initial vocational training and new pathways from school to work; development and renewal of the adult population's human capital through continuing education; creation of a frontier-knowledge and advanced-skills base through higher education and research); and new ways and means for lifelong learning (new methodologies and networks, more flexible systems of qualifications). (MN)