This paper defines active citizenship as a fundamental aim of democratic society that enables all citizens to participate as fully as possible in cultural, economic, political, and social life. Adult education is recommended as a forum for promoting active citizenship and, since participatory democracy is learned through practice, should be an…

This paper provides an overview of a book entitled "Adults Count Too: Mathematics for Empowerment". The introduction to the book details why the author spent three years writing about adults learning mathematics, and outlines the shape and structure of the book. A chapter from the book, entitled "A Matrix of Factors," is presented as an example of…

Traditionally, liberal adult education in Britain has been premised on nonaccreditation. However, political influences, the thrust of work force development, and student demand are pressuring reconsideration of accreditation. (SK)

Survey results from 75 British adult learners indicated that the main site where they acquired skills of active citizenship (including interpersonal competence, confidence, and knowledge of government) was the workplace. Very small numbers felt that schools equipped them with these skills. (SK)

This document contains four papers that examine four diverse topics from the field of adult education: multiculturalism, ageism, mathematics, and new paradigm research. In "Editorial Introduction," Roger Fieldhouse gives an overview of the papers and the experience of their authors. The first paper, "Multi-Cultural Perspectives on…

Current notions of the learning society are dominated by the notion of the learning market--lifelong learning for economic competitiveness. Learning for active citizenship and liberal democracy, once a major purpose of adult education, is being lost in the process. (SK)