The future for lifelong learning:

call for evidence on the impact of lifelong learning on happiness and well-being

Tagged as Other European Funding

The independent commission of inquiry into the future for lifelong learning, chaired by Sir David Watson, was launched on 25 September 2007 and will report in Spring 2009. During the NIACE-sponsored inquiry, experts from government, business, academia, trade unions, public service, providers and the voluntary and community sector, as well as learners, will come together in a process to identify a broad consensus for the future direction of adult learning policy in the UK.

The inquiry will look at the critical issues that will face our society in coming decades, and identify how adult learning can equip us to meet these challenges. Eight key themes have been identified to provide a focus for the work, around which we will be issuing a number of calls for evidence. At present we are calling for evidence on the relationship between lifelong learning and happiness and well-being.

Interested individuals and organisations are invited to submit written evidence to the Commission. The closing date for evidence is 12th February 2008.

We know a great deal about the economic impact of lifelong learning. Broadly stated, societies that actively promote lifelong learning tend to prosper economically and are able to cope well with innovation and change. Individuals who develop their skills and knowledge, and acquire new qualifications, are likely to be rewarded through higher incomes. While our knowledge of these economic relationships is far from complete, we know far less about how lifelong learning affects people's happiness and mental well-being.

In particular, the Commission invites evidence on the following areas:

• What does the evidence tell us about the impact of lifelong learning on happiness and well-being?
• Where are the gaps in evidence in relation to this theme?
• What key messages for the Inquiry we should extract?
• In particular, what do we know about the impact of lifelong learning on mental health, satisfaction with life, and one's ability to shape one's own destiny?

Further information about the Commission of Inquiry is available from www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk

At this stage we take a broad view of what constitutes evidence. It might include research evidence; information about your organisation/learning provision; or personal or organisational experience or views about the issues connected with this theme etc. It would be helpful, however, if you could indicate what sort of evidence you are submitting.

Evidence should be submitted to lifelonglearninginquiry@niace.org.uk More information in submitting evidence is available from www.lifelonglearninginquiry.org.uk/Evidence-wellbeing.htm