Could Adult Education Become a Means of Active Participatory Citizenship for Young People in the EU?

Abstract

The research and policy reports show that adult education policies and practices are designed and carried out in ways and using means which are not always appropriate to groups of young citizens between the ages 16-30. In the Horizon 2020’s EduMAP (Adult Education as a Means for Active Participatory Citizenship) Project the diversity of societal participation and the wide range of cultural contexts and practices among learners is examined. In particular, Hungarian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Croatian and Slovenian adult educations are in the focus of this article. Available statistical data were collected and analysed concerning young people with low educational level, who have dropped out of adult education or who are otherwise in a vulnerable position. We came to the conclusion that this region of five adjacent states can be divided into two models: Slovenia and Croatia have similar parameters while Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria are converging in education, literacy, skilled persons and budget efforts on education. The fundamental aim of the analysis is to help policymakers and educational agencies to ensure that vulnerable young generations are able to obtain the skills needed to fully participate in European and national societies, and the labour market.