Research Meets Practice #4

In a recent report on the Futures of Education initiative, UNESCO emphasized the need to reaffirm lifelong learning (LLL) as a human right that goes beyond formal and school-based education to ensure learning opportunities at all times and throughout life. This call highlights the persistent gap between the conceptual understanding of LLL and the widespread adoption of strategies that guide effective policy implementation—particularly in Latin America, where integrating LLL into education systems requires resolving long-standing conceptual debates and building strong policy communities. Achieving this also demands shifting from a narrow focus on employability toward a more humanistic vision of education, and rethinking governance models to promote intersectoral collaboration and innovative practices across disciplines and ministries.

Latin America faces significant educational challenges. Barriers to universal access to good quality education are still too high for vulnerable groups in almost every country in the region. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted negatively…