10-12 November 2025
Venue: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, India
3rd ASEM LLL Hub Regional Centre for South Asia Annual Conference
19th PASCAL International Observatory Conference
The outcome document of the CONFINTEA VII calls upon the Right to Lifelong Learning for All and indicates that the traditional education and knowledge systems need change, in order to ensure a sustainable future. The call raised by the CONFINTEA VII is complemented by several reports and policy statements included across documents from international organisations like the OECD and the EU. This juncture therefore, opens a window of opportunity for stakeholders to reimagine the existing gaps and challenges in the existing educational opportunities, and find ways to shape the emerging ones, voice as many concerns as possible, and explore the most innovative solutions for creating a shared, sustainable future.
According to several international policy documents, informed and aware individuals who can learn constantly, form the core of a sustainable future as societies become knowledge societies and knowledge acquires the basic functions - production, consumption, and capital formation. A move towards learner-centric societies therefore, appears inevitable. To function smoothly, such learning societies must actively create Lifelong Learning Ecosystems that aim at placing the learner at the centre of the society and provide not only constant and lifelong - learning opportunities for all - but also, conducive conditions to facilitate the optimum utilisation of those opportunities by the learners.
The International Conference Towards Lifelong Learning Ecosystems for a Sustainable Future is aimed at discussing the various aspects of the transition from traditional education and knowledge systems towards creating such Lifelong Learning Ecosystems. The discussions will focus around various concepts and theories, policies and programs, professional values and ethics, and real-life practices - extending across age groups, socio-economic backgrounds, disciplines, settings (formal, non-formal and informal) and so on in a sustainable manner.
The Conference offers an opportunity for various stakeholders to come together, critically analyse and discuss the challenges, prerequisites, pathways, and objectives of the Lifelong Learning Ecosystems that are already emerging and the way they should ideally look like. Even though it is difficult to imagine concrete structures and functions right now, there are possibilities to shape them constructively if stakeholders engage actively today. The Conference therefore tables an opportunity for serious discussions over the most advanced research themes in learning and provides unique opportunities for publications, collaborations over projects and initiatives, and formal and informal networking with stakeholders from all over the world. Further, it provides room for shaping policy and advocacy to achieve fair, equitable and sustainable learning opportunities in future.
The Conference aims at launching a Virtual Learning City for South Asia conceived by the ASEM LLL Hub South Asia Centre and a Sustainable Learning Neighbourhood Campaign for South Asia designed by the PASCAL Observatory, both hosted by the Centre of Excellence for Lifelong Learning at the Adi Shankara Institute for Engineering & Technology, and integrated within the Lifelong Learning Ecosystem for South Asia that the ASEM LLL Hub Regional Centre for South Asia is keen on creating.
The sub-themes include:
Emerging learning landscapes and structures: gaps, challenges and opportunities for policy, research, profession and practice.
Sustainable Learning Neighbourhoods and equitable learning environments: shaping the emerging architecture for a sustainable future.
Use of AI and digitalisation in promoting learning opportunities: transformative technologies to deal with uncertain futures.
Investing in the learner and conducive learning environments: challenges of mobilising, allocating and accessing resources.
Measurement and evaluation architecture: striking the balance between standardisation, inclusion and quality.
Stakeholders and their stakes: reimagining stakeholders' interests for a sustainable future.
Pascal International Observatory team will select one paper for the "Best Paper Award."
This Conference is designed a bit differently from other Conferences as it offers opportunities beyond the traditional paper presentations, symposia, scientific discussions and formal networking opportunities. The Conference offers dedicated sessions for collaborations over projects, possibilities for advocacy, informal networking through recreational and fun sessions, and opportunities before and after the Conference in case you plan to arrive early or stay over for a longer period of time in South Asia. Our partners are keen to offer both pre-and post-Conference possibilities for work (including lectures, workshops, sabbaticals, internships, study visits, and the like), and holidays (in South Asian region (especially India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal). Details regarding the pre- and post-Conference opportunities for work and holidays will be updated shortly on the Conference Website. If you want to engage in visiting research possibilities, teaching and learning, or other activities for a longer period of time and have some specific queries, you are most welcome to contact Dr. Jacob George C. and Dr. Shalini Singh @ lifelonglearning@adishankara.ac.in
Your paper might get selected for the BEST PAPER AWARD from PASCAL International Observatory. So watch out for the details when you present!
Important Dates:
Submission of Abstracts and Proposals for Symposiums and Discussion Sessions: August 31st 2025
Final Deadline for Acceptance of Modified Abstracts and Proposals: September 15th 2025
Deadline for Registrations: October 15th 2025
Submission of Full Papers for Conference Proceedings: October 15th 2025
Please note, late and on-the-spot Registrations are possible after October 15th 2025 with additional fee.
Proposals for presenting ideas for innovative projects are invited. The sessions will provide opportunities to speakers as well as participants to develop partnerships, networks, mobilise resources, plan project applications, share information regarding relevant people, partners, organisations and the like. The ASEM LLL Hub Regional Centre for South Asia will review each application and assign some planning work to its Steering Committee and an advisory board based on what kind of expertise is needed for each project. The ASEM LLL Hub Regional Centre for South Asia will further facilitate collaborations, partnerships and engagements.
Proposal Deadline: September 15th 2025
Acceptance/ Modification/ Rejection of Applications: October 15th 2025
Declaration on "Shaping the Architecture and Spirit of the emerging Lifelong Learning Ecosystems through active engagement ".
Panel discussions and open discussions will focus on:
Emerging politico-legal frameworks around lifelong learning ecosystems; how the lifelong learning ecosystems can be shaped for a sustainable future; what needs to be promoted and what needs to be avoided.
Stakeholders' engagement: challenges, strategies and mechanisms.
Standardisation, Measurements, Evaluations and a Common Competency Framework.
Mobilisation of resources
This includes recreational and fun sessions along with opportunities for informal interaction among participants to understand each other, have intercultural exchange, build up lasting partnerships and networking opportunities. Participants may choose among various possibilities. A registration form for participation in various events and activities will be shared once you have registered for the Conference.
The activities will include engaging sessions on Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Traditional Art and Dance Practices, and so on....
Registration Charges
For Indian nationals without presentations/project meeting participations: Free
For individuals from Low, Lower Middle-income countries, and Indians with Presentations/Project Meetings: INR 2000
For individuals from Upper Middle-income countries: 200 Euros
For individuals from High-income countries: 300 Euros
All subject to registration
Registration deadline is 15th October 2025. Any registrations after that will incur an additional cost of 20 Euros for foreigners and Rs. 1000 for Indian Nationals.
For submitting the registration fee:
Kindly mention the Code: "Calicut2025" and your full name in the message while submitting the fee.
The Bank details for fee submission are as follows:
Account holder: Forum for Lifelong Learning Trust
Account Number: 124188700000054
Name of the Bank: Yes Bank Ltd.
Branch: Rohini Sector 15, Delhi
IFSC: YESB0001241.
*The fifth, sixth and seventh characters in the IFSC code are 'Zero'
Please Note: Use only these details for the registration fee and accommodation bookings. After submitting the conference fee, you must send the proof of payment to lifelonglearning@adishankara.ac.in.
