The EBSN Annual Event 2025 Successfully Held in Brussels
The EBSN Annual Event 2025 took place in Brussels on 18–20 June, offering a unique occasion for professionals, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe to come together and engage in meaningful exchange on adult basic skills policy and practice. It was a pleasure to meet so many committed colleagues in person – the energy, expertise and openness of the participants made this event a truly inspiring and rewarding experience.
Strengthening Connections and Strategy
The event began on 18 June with a Networking Session, where participants actively shared ideas, explored potential collaborations, and discussed future joint initiatives. The session provided an informal yet productive environment to connect around shared priorities and build new partnerships within the EBSN community and beyond.
Later that day, the EBSN General Assembly was held, bringing together the network’s membership. The session offered an important opportunity to review the past year’s achievements, reflect on ongoing work, and discuss strategic directions for the future. Key documents were presented and approved, and the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to EBSN’s mission of promoting high-quality basic skills provision across Europe.
The EBSN Annual Conference 2025 took place on 19–20 June under the title “From Evidence to Action: Advancing Adult Basic Skills for Tackling Inequalities.” The event gathered over 80 participants from 28 countries, including policymakers, researchers, and professionals from across the adult education sector.
From Evidence to Action
The conference provided a timely platform to reflect on the newly released PIAAC Cycle 2 results, which reveal persistent and emerging challenges in adult basic skills across Europe. These findings served as a catalyst for strategic thinking, culminating in a joint action planning session where participants explored concrete ways to translate evidence into policy and practice.
Exploring Diverse Pathways
The conference programme featured a rich mix of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and thematic workshops. Topics ranged from inclusive learning pathways, migrant education, and workplace-oriented skills development to innovative methodologies, including AI-driven tools, virtual reality, gamification, hybrid learning, and family engagement. The diversity of perspectives reflected the complexity of the basic skills landscape and the need for collaborative, cross-sectoral responses.
A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue
We were honoured to welcome contributions from:
European Commission (DG EMPL) and the OECD
European umbrella organisations, including the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) and All Digital
The Nordic Network for Adult Learning (NVL) and the Flemish Education Council
Universities and research institutions
National and regional public authorities
Adult learning providers and networks from across Europe
Their insights and active participation reinforced the importance of working together at all levels to strengthen basic skills provision and reduce inequalities.
Thank You to Our Hosts
We express our sincere gratitude to our local hosts at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and LIGO Centre for Adult Basic Education. Special thanks go to Prof. Maurice De Greef and Joke Drijkoningen for their exceptional support throughout the planning and delivery of the conference.
You can now explore the conference website, where the presentations, participant list, and photo gallery are available: https://conference.basicskills.eu/ebsn-annual-conference-2025/
We thank all participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to welcoming you to the EBSN Annual Conference 2026 – with more information to follow soon!
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The EBSN Annual Event 2025 took place in Brussels on 18–20 June, offering a unique occasion for professionals, researchers, and policymakers from across Europe to come together and engage in meaningful exchange on adult basic skills policy and practice. It was a pleasure to meet so many committed colleagues in person – the energy, expertise and openness of the participants made this event a truly inspiring and rewarding experience.
