International organisations and the construction of the learning active citizen: An analysis of adult learning policy documents from a Durkheimian perspective

Abstract

The article analyses how citizenship is conceptualised in policy documents of four key international organisations. The basic assumption is that public policy has not turned away from adult learning for active citizenship, but that there are rather new ways in which international governmental organisations conceptualise and in some cases seek to operationalise active citizenship in the context of their thinking on lifelong learning. We argue that the language of citizens and citizenship continues to be an important thread in the publications of these organisations. The theoretical framework of Emile Durkheim is referred to since his work helps to explore and address the changes. The analysis of Durkheim draws attention to the crucial role of intermediary bodies which serve as a restraint on both individuals and state.

Keywords:

• Citizenship
• lifelong learning
• adult learning policy
• international organisations

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank our colleague Annabel Jenner from the Universität zu Köln for reading and commenting on an earlier draft of this paper.