Adult education in Austria: Kebö becomes an independent association!

Adult education in Austria: Kebö becomes an independent association!

Strobl, Österreich - On May 22, 2025, the conference of Austria's adult education (Kebö) was founded as an independent association, as [ots.at reported] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250522_ots0058/konferenz-der-erwachsenenbildung-werd-igen-verein- Neue- Law-based-stark-up-in-oesterreich). With this foundation, the Kebö receives a binding structure after it has acted as a loose cooperation for over 50 years. The main goal of the Kebö is the advocacy and professionalization of adult education in Austria. The current chairman of the Kebö is Bernd Wachter, and the organization comprises ten significant associations of non -profit adult education in the country.

The Kebö not only promotes personal and professional development, but also ensures the business location and contributes to integration and social cohesion. An important aspect is political and social participation, as well as the reduction of educational deficits among the population. In 2023, the Kebö already organized 168,755 events with 2,395,885.

important events and awards

The Kebö is planning an annual conference for September 25, 2025 in the Europahaus Vienna, which is under the motto "Learning to peace". The main lecture will be the renowned sociologist and author Harald Welzer. In addition, a panel discussion will take place with Terezija Stoisits, Nora Tötling-Musenbichler and Markus Schlagnitweit. Another highlight is the awarding of the Axel Corti Prize on June 16, 2025 at the ORF Radioculture House in Vienna, where Maria Hofstätter is awarded for her commitment in adult education. The chairmanship of the Kebö changes according to a rotation principle between the five large associations, whereby the forum Catholic adult education is currently at the top until September 2025.

The promotion of diversity, gender equality and inclusion are central issues of adult education. According to adult education.at core dimensions such as gender, age, ethnic origin, religion and sexual orientation are legally protected against discrimination. These dimensions are crucial for the creation of freedom of discrimination in educational institutions.

The importance of gender equality and diversity

In adult education, it is important that educational offers are accessible without discrimination, regardless of gender, origin, age or social background. Various perspectives are increasingly perceived as an enrichment because they promote the learning process and strengthen intercultural skills. [The VHS Baden] (https://www.vhs-baden.at/diversitaet-gender-und- Inclusion-in-der-er-er-erbildung/) emphasizes that education is the key to a fairer society and that inclusion already begins with the individual.

In order to promote diversity approaches, educational institutions should apply gender and diversity-sensitive teaching methods and create course offers for marginalized groups. The reflection on your own prejudices and the active commitment to equal opportunities represent important steps to create a fairer and more inclusive educational landscape.