On 26 March 2026, EPALE hosted the online discussion “Rooting democracy and active citizenship in adult learning”, generated and facilitated with the support of EBSN. The exchange brought together educators, policymakers, researchers and practitioners from across Europe to explore how adult learning can strengthen democratic participation in a time of social polarisation, digital disruption and geopolitical uncertainty.
The discussion combined a live expert session with a moderated forum. It was moderated by Tamás Harangozó, European Basic Skills Network, and featured contributions from Aoife Crawford, Research and Policy Officer, and Margaret Murray, Literacy Student and Development Officer, both from the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Ireland, an EBSN member, alongside Nils-Eyk Zimmermann from the DARE Network.
A central message emerged clearly: adult learning is not only about employability. It is also a democratic practice. Participants underlined that citizenship, critical thinking, information literacy, dialogue and participation are essential competences for everyday life, and that adult learning programmes can provide meaningful spaces where adults practise these competences in real contexts.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of community-based partnerships. Civil society organisations, local authorities, employers, trade unions and learning providers all have a role in creating inclusive learning ecosystems where adults can develop confidence, agency and the capacity to participate. Contributors stressed that democratic skills are not acquired through theory alone: they are built through regular practice, dialogue and engagement.
EBSN was particularly pleased to see the strong contribution of NALA, whose work demonstrates how literacy, numeracy and civic participation are closely connected. Resources shared by NALA during the discussion included its literacy and numeracy factsheets, the Adult Literacy for Life strategy, the Questions Matter learner workbook, the Facts Matter practitioner guide, and civic learning resources such as vote.ie.
The summary of the EPALE discussion is now available and offers a rich overview of the key reflections, practical examples and resources shared by the community. It confirms a core priority for EBSN: basic skills are fundamental not only for work and lifelong learning, but also for active citizenship, democratic resilience and social inclusion.