Input to work on second Action Plan on Adult Learning
Danish input til EU action plan
• The three main tracks of Danish non-formal adult education as they are defined by the Danish Adult Education Associations (DAEA) and its member organizations.
• The results of the work of the governmental appointed commission on non-formal adult education in Denmark
• The changes in the law on non-formal adult education (in Danish: folkeoplysning), which came out of the political process on the basis of the recommendations of the commission

This is the content of three page letter that the DAEA sent to Alan Smith, Grundtvig Coordinator
Deputy Head of Unit EAC-B3 Adult Education, European Commission, in late May 2011.
The letter was written as an input to the work, going at the moment, of preparing a second Action Plan on Adult Learning.


Renewal amidst financial cutbacks
New tasks and new methods are the way forward for non-formal adult education. But funding problems block renewal and innovation in Denmark, and the government is not ready to solve that problem.

Combining competencies, job opportunities and local needs
Women immigrants in Denmark are often isolated from the labour market, from the local society and from learning. In two innovative projects a Danish folk high school has trained women immigrants in catering and as environmental ambassadors in the community.

Gambling money for adult education
A political agreement guarantees funding for adult education the next couple of years.

People are flocking to adult education
Economic problems seem to motivate the Danes to adult education whether formal or non-formal. Increases at the level of 37 and 46 percent have been registered. At the same time educators and decision makers are looking for new ways and methods.

Educators instead of victims
The Danish voluntary association, established to help the Danish minority south of the border to Germany, is making a complete U-turn. They want the rest of Denmark to see the minority as role models and the minority to be educators in meeting of cultures and integration.

Promoting health and integration from the stage
A Minister of Life Style is rapping. A parent of double standards is preaching to his child. And a futurologist is obsessed with prehistoric time. These are some of the odd characters on stage when theatre, adult education and health issues get together.

Projects, mergers and networking
An increased focus on low skilled workers is the most obvious trend in Danish adult education. The institutions are also going through turmoil of mergers and high expectations of new ways of cooperation. At the same time still more funding is earmarked for short term projects.

In education after 22 years on social welfare
She thought she was stupid. The social worker suggested early retirement pension. Instead Elin Svenningsen went to a Danish non-residential folk high school. Now she is at her second year at the college of nursery teachers.

A boost for adult education – but forgetting the third sector
The Danish government has boosted adult education, but with an exclusive focus on formal and job related education. Non-formal education receives none of the new funding. On the contrary it has been cut on several occasions over the last 6 years.

The Danish contribution to the Communication on Adult Learning
The European Union has presented a broad based concept of lifelong learning. Also the EU no longer proposes co-financing by participants as a rule. This is the result of the comments from Denmark during the official hearing process of the draft.

Provider of social competencies and motivation  
Non-formal adult education provides participants with a number of social and personal competencies that are relevant for the labour market. Also this sector is able to motivate participants to proceed into other kinds of education. This is documented in a survey made for the Danish Adult Education Association (DAEA).

They want to - but they don’t fell like it
Low-skilled people are very ambivalent towards offers of more education. A special effort regarding motivation and in teaching methods is needed. Especially the Danish “Day Folk High Schools” are able in this field says professor Knud Illeris in this interview.

What are Day Folk High Schools?
A day high school is an independent, private institution that offers teaching with an educative or job-promoting aim for adults between 18 and 60.

Educating for Democracy
The debates during the cartoon crisis showed big differences on defining democracy and democratic and human rights - also between Danes and between people of other Western countries with a long democratic tradition. That was the starting point of a long term campaign coordinated by the DAEA.