LLinE Lifelong Learning in Europe

Editorial Eeva Siirala: Listen to understand

The statistics show that in nearly all European countries one of the three big religious communities is clearly dominant; yet the religious diversity brings out defence reactions, which often emerge from ignorance and fear. In some countries church and religion is formally separated from state but has still a great power in society, in others there is a state church but it may not have direct power.

The majority religion has more influence in people's behaviour than many of us realise. It is in values and attitudes, even for those who do not actively practise it; it affects the legislation, and the way we see the 'others'. In many places the symbols of the majority religion are openly present in public places, but those of even big minority religions are not.

Religion is based on our need to have a trust that there is life extending beyond this one; a need for safety, protection, connection with other people – togetherness. I believe that it is one of the most powerful ways of creating a feeling of community. There are both good and frightening examples to refer to. When we are part of a community there is a danger of dividing the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’. It is good to remember what German-Iranian Navid Kermani says in this issue: It is the public opinion that makes people ‘Muslims’. Yet, as he reminds us: religion is only one part of our identity – even for those who actively practise it.

Religion is connected to the history, and it is also part of the culture. We have recently seen how abruptly and tragically reference to religion can change feelings in a community. Christian Geiselmann tells about the situation in the present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina in this issue.

Without a conscious approach to understand the role of religion, ours and others', we run a risk of confrontations. Robert Jackson writes about the efforts that the international communities like the EU, the Council of Europe and OSCE see necessary to provide ways for people to better understanding and ultimately respect 'the other'. We have to hear what they say, and listen; even listening is not enough – we have to listen so that we want to understand.

I believe that adult education has done a lot, and will still find a number of tools to promote it. Especially teaching religion bears a great responsibility which has also been taken by religious communities as we can read in this and some previous issues of LLinE. We can only hope that the efforts and attitudes presented here spread as widely as possible in their communities. The common ground in these three religions is, as someone put it: faith, hope, and charity.


In this world of changing communities, the community of the LLinE journal is taking a new step. I am leaving this interesting job. From the beginning we had the idea of a community that would encompass the whole field of adult education – which has now been realised in the term lifelong learning. We, then, saw no necessary boundaries between formal and non-formal education or who the providers were. We wished to include the learners in the community, give them the voice which is now slowly being actually heard here and there in the seminars and conferences – and every time with a powerful effect.

What I have most enjoyed in this work has been the contacts with the writers. Over these 12 years there have been way over 600 contributors to LLinE – from more than 50 countries. I have been fascinated by the creativity of people in different countries in organising opportunities for people to learn; and I have been impressed and moved to learn about the results in people's lives, often the 'teachers' have been affected as much as the 'learners'. I will miss all the energy that I have been getting from the contacts both in making the journal and organising the LLinE Conferences.

I have had the luck to work with two extremely good editors-in-chief, first with Professor Kauko Hämäläinen, who left the post a year ago, and this past year with Professor Kristiina Kumpulainen. They have taken responsibility and given support when needed. The LLinE editorial board, their expertise, ideas and connections, direct contributions and guest editorship, and the inspiring discussions have created a community which, I believe, has not been quite insignificant to the members themselves. Even in this issue we are starting a new series with the introduction of the adult education in Slovenia as the next country of EU Presidency.

I am happy to have been able to work for a few months with my successor, Kaisa-Leena Juvonen. She brings in not only a new generation but also new energy, new ideas and views, on a fine sense of lifelong learning.

Eeva Siirala
Managing Editor of LLinE