Hamburg (Germany) - Close to 1500 representatives of 134 governments, 428 non-governmental organizations, and 223 foundations and institutions at UNESCO's Fifth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA) in July 1997 adopted a 4-page document, the Hamburg Declaration, defining the role of education in securing "the informed and effective participation of men and women in every sphere" needed if "humanity is to survive and meet the challenges of the future."

In a separate document also adopted, the 17-page Agenda for the Future of Adult Learning, CONFINTEA sets out a series of measures to bolster life-long learning world wide. They include allocating at least six percent of Member States gross national product to education, with an equitable share set aside for adult learning. It also proposes dedicating one hour a day to learning and a UN Adult Learning Week.

The Declaration stresses that "only human-centred development and a participatory society based on the Full respect of human rights will lead to sustainable and equitable development." It defines adult education as "both a consequence of active citizenship and a condition for Full participation in society" and highlights its potentially enormous contribution for "an informed and tolerant citizenry, economic and social development, the eradication of illiteracy, the alleviation of poverty and the preservation of the environment. "

In view of the ever-growing role of education in the information society, the Declaration calls for expanded partnerships but stresses that "the state remains the essential vehicle for ensuring the right to education for all, particularly for the most vulnerable groups of society." It must also provide advice, funding, monitoring and evaluation.

The Declaration expresses commitment for the creation of a culture of peace and education to reinforce "dialogue, mutual recognition and negotiation [which are to] replace violence, in homes and communities, within nations and between countries. " It urges "improving the conditions and quality of adult learning," notably through legislation, the creation of public information and counselling services, developing strategies to extend adult learning to those currently excluded and "promoting the entitlement to learn through 'the one hour per day for learning' movement."

The Agenda furthermore calls for "institutions of formal education of all levels to be open to adults," and urges "improving the conditions for the professional development of adult educators, " notably through better in-service training, working conditions and remuneration. It also urges "eliminating barriers between non-formal and formal education and reiterates the "universal right to literacy and basic education" while calling for increased Funding for literacy programmes for all.

Great emphasis is also provided to "promoting empowerment of women and gender equity through adult learning. " It calls for "recognising and correcting the continued marginalization [....] that girls and women are still facing at all levels. " The Agenda demands "equal representation of both sexes especially at the managerial and decision-making level of educational programmes" and the "strengthening through information and counselling to protect themselves from domestic and sexual violence and by involving men in these education efforts."

Finally, the Agenda focuses on highly flexible strategies and mechanisms used to follow up the Fifth International Conference on Adult Education. It calls for the involvement of all partners to play an active role in the follow-up and entrusts UNESCO with this task on an international level, in collaboration with other institutions. UNESCO's Hamburg based Institute for Education "should be strengthened in order to become an international reference centre for adult and continuing education."

** This article was adapted, with permission, from the UNESCO Website for CONFINTEA, at: http://unesco.uneb.edu/educnews/confintea/