A Global Framework for Adult Education: The Marrakech Framework for Action

ABSTRACT In the summer of 2022, UNESCO held CONFINTEA VII, a gathering of over 140 governmental delegations with the dual purpose of examining the current state of adult learning across the world and establishing a set of comprehensive goals for the next 12 years for the field of adult education. Held regularly since 1949, the International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA) provides an agenda relevant to adult educators on a global scale. CONFINTEA VII's declaration, the Marrakech Framework for Action (MFA) is grounded in principles, policies, and action recommendations to achieve UNESCO's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals and was unanimously ratified by participating delegations. This article provides an outline of the priority areas and action recommendations of the MFA as a prologue to this special issue of New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education , “Global Trends in Adult Education.”