The Norwegian Association for Adult Learning (NAAL)
The NAAL central administration is located in Oslo. In addition, we have regional offices covering all counties of Norway.
In total, the training our members provided in 2017 represented approximately 44 500 courses with 500 000 participants.
The purpose of NAAL is to:
- Advocate the common interests of the associations and their participants towards the Government, the Parliament and the Ministry of Education
- Promote non-formal adult learning in the society in general
- Advice members and other third parties concerning laws and regulations
- Advice within the field of Adult learning theory and practice
- Counsel within the Educational planning
- Project coordination
- Advocacy and lobbying
The multitude
The adult learning associations represent a multitude of interests and ideologies. The largest associations offer a broad range of themes on several levels, with or without formal exams and parallel programs in the public school system. Other associations emphasise more voluntary adult learning activities, organisational training of members, learning for the development of the local community and sustainable development. Others emphasise political training, culture and creative, aesthetical and practical topics.
Humanistic adult learning
The common denominator of the adult learning organized by the NGOs is equality and equal opportunities. A humanistic adult learning theory and practice and a belief in every individual's personal potential to develop their skills and competencies.
Government support
Based on of the Norwegian Adult Education Act of 1976 and 2009, the adult learning organized by the member associations of NAAL receive government funding through a fixed set of criteria. In addition, several counties and municipalities ensure some funding to regional and local adult educational activitites. In the national budget for 2018, the Governmental allocated NOK 208 million to adult education through NAAL members.
Nordic Network for Adult Learning - NVL
NVL is a Nordic meeting place (physical and virtual) for actors involved in adult learning. An information bank, disseminating results from cooperation projects, creating debate and innovation. Profiling the Nordic competence and values in adult learning. Producing added Nordic value through information activities, development projects and networks. Formulating new policy suggestions in adult learning based on experience and tested in practice through diverse networks and cooperation projects. NVL is supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers, with goals and purposes of cooperation and dialogue within the Nordic countries and with the Baltic countries, Northwest Russia and Europe. NAAL coordinated the Norwegian activities during the period 2005 – 2008, and from 2013 – 2017.
International Adult Learning cooperation
The NAAL is a member of the Nordic network of Adult Education umbrella organisations. Member of the European Association for the Education of Adults EAEA. Member of the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee of the International Council for Adult Education ICAE. Different cooperation activities take place within this network, in close contact with the European Union and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation - NORAD.
Contact information
Voksenopplæringsforbundet (VOFO) /The Norwegian Association for Adult Learning (NAAL)
Postal address: Akersgata 41, 0158 Oslo
Office address: Akersgata 41, 0158 Oslo
Phone: (+47) 22 41 00 00
Website: www.vofo.no
E-mail: vofo@vofo.no