From 18 to 22 November, we had the privilege of participating in an inspiring series of events during the EU Lifelong Learning Stakeholders’ Forum and the 14th Lifelong Learning Platform Week (LLLPWeek 2024) in Brussels. These events showcased the collective efforts of stakeholders committed to advancing inclusive, digital, and learner-centered education across Europe.
18 November: EU Lifelong Learning Stakeholders’ Forum
The week kicked off with a focus on the inclusiveness of the Erasmus+ programme. Through engaging discussions and a collaborative World Café session, participants reflected on successes and identified pathways for making the programme more accessible and equitable. The day concluded with the official opening of LLLPWeek 2024, setting a motivational tone for the days ahead.
19 November: Rethinking AI in Education
Hosted by the Association for Teacher Education in Europe (ATEE), this session delved into research on AI’s role in teaching and learning. While AI holds immense potential, concerns emerged around balancing innovation with a human-centered approach, ensuring transparency, privacy, and meaningful student engagement. As AI redefines traditional educational paradigms, participants called for an education revolution to adapt pedagogy to this new reality while safeguarding the role of teachers and fostering critical thinking.
20 November: Digitalization in Education
Marking the National Day of Children’s Rights, this event highlighted the delicate balance between children’s right to information and their need for protection online. The e-Safety project presented a comprehensive platform for digital education and counseling, while the Hermmes network shared hands-on methods for fostering digital literacy and computational thinking in children. The urgency of addressing a digital literacy gap—affecting an estimated 75% of 14-year-olds—was a recurring theme.
21 November: Enhancing Learners’ Voices
In workshops hosted by EAEA and Solidar Foundation, participants explored ways to amplify learners’ voices in shaping educational processes. Through reflective activities, attendees identified challenges learners face in being heard and brainstormed actionable strategies to create inclusive spaces for dialogue and co-creation.
22 November: Design Thinking for Inclusive Education
The week concluded with a Design Thinking workshop led by EAEA and COFACE Families Europe, focusing on connecting families and educators for inclusive education. Working on a fictional family’s story, participants applied the five phases of Design Thinking—empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test—to address barriers and create solutions collaboratively. The session underscored the importance of optimism, creativity, and inclusivity in educational problem-solving.
Moving Forward
These events offered rich opportunities for reflection, collaboration, and action. From rethinking AI to fostering inclusivity and empowering learners, the week reinforced our shared responsibility to shape education systems that are equitable, innovative, and future-ready.