The ASEM Lifelong Learning Hub (ASEM LLL Hub)Conference “Engaging Young People in Lifelong Learning: Asian and European Policies and Practices” was held on 1-2 December 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. The conference hosted by RMIT University brought together researchers from all over Asia and Europe to cover country-specific approaches to lifelong learning.
Researchers discussed topics such as the impact of the recent economic crisis on young people’s engagement in education, work and welfare, as well as the trend of growing privatisation in the education sector and how this affects lifelong learning opportunities.
Participants concluded that even though young people’s engagement in education continues to expand in many countries, young people face more and more insecurity, debt and uncertainty about their future. With youth employment being continuously more precarious and low paid, lifelong learning opportunities becomes increasingly important for young people, if they do not want to fall behind at an early stage of their lives.
The invited young leaders from the ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) and the ARC4 Students’ Forum arrived at a similar conclusion in their discussions with the researchers. Mr Ian Harold MANN (Australia), Mr Leo Wibisono ARIFIN (Indonesia) and Mr Johann OSBAKK (Norway) were invited from ASEFYLS to present their views on lifelong learning and the ASEFYLS Call for Action. Ms Sofia RIBEIRO (Portugal) represented the 4th ASEM Rectors’ Conference and Students’ Forum (ARC4) and presented the Policy Recommendations developed in Hangzhou, China.