LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL INCLUSION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUAL EMPOWERMENT PROCESSES

Abstract

The area of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important both collectively and individually and is a key success factor for personal and social development. Awareness of lifelong learning also strengthens the possibility of increasing personal income and at the same time enabling a better quality of life. All of this leads to an improvement not only on an individual level, but also for society as a whole. Although lack of equitable educational opportunities to individuals may result into social inequalities, which require targeted measures to deal with these issues. The main objective of this research is to explain the relationship between lifelong learning and social inclusion. By assessing educational access and opportunities, the study aims to examine the impacts of lifelong learning on individual empowerment processes, and thereby address social inequalities in educational opportunities. This research adopts a comprehensive study design, in which a detailed literature review analysis with case studies will be considered. Several academic books, peer-reviewed journals, and other formal publications will be used for literature review, while official reports may be used to derive case studies. The thematic coding and content analysis will be used to analyse key trends, insights, and challenges identified through gathered qualitative data. As a whole, lifelong learning can become a tool to promote social inclusion by offering equitable educational opportunities to all population groups. Barriers to educational opportunities, such as ineffective division of lifelong learning and traditional education, financial constraints, geographical barriers, and more focus on certain category of workers, must be addressed.