Lifelong learning – shaping the future by learning from history

The foundations of modern adult education were established in 1919 through the work of the Ministry of Reconstruction following the end of the First World War.

At a time of profound change, it was seen that lifelong learning could shape a better future.

One hundred years on, the Centenary Commission on Adult Education brought the work of the Ministry into the 21st Century with its report “A Permanent National Necessity”

That report was published just before the Covid pandemic and there has since been considerable social, political and technological change in just a few years.

The WEA’s Lifelong Learning Labs are currently exploring the idea of creating a new national Lifelong Learning Strategy to raise the profile of adult learning in the current policy landscape. Lifelong learning is often sidelined in national policy and its potential overlooked.

This seems the perfect time to revisit the recommendations of the Centenary Commission report and to ask whether a new national strategy could be informed by them.

We are delighted to have the Chair of the Commission, Dame Helen Ghosh, as the keynote speaker, sharing reflections on lifelong learning in 2026 in the light of the Commission’s work.

Then we will hear from several of the Commissioners and secretariat – Professors Jonathan Michie, John Holford, Sharon Clancy and Cilla Ross – looking in more detail at the recommendations and how they might be applied today.

The meeting will be chaired by Simon Parkinson, CEO & General Secretary of the WEA, and Professor Graeme Atherton will be providing a summary and response at the close of the webinar.

The event is supported by: WEA as part of its Lifelong Learning Labs, Kellogg College and Ruskin College.