The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) is located in Hamburg, Germany, and is one of UNESCO’s seven education Institutes. UIL supports Member States in the field of lifelong learning with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. It pays special attention to UNESCO’s Global Priority Africa and Global Priority Gender Equality. It has one of the largest libraries in the world within its specialized field and hosts the world’s longest-running journal of comparative education and lifelong learning.

The mission of the Institute is to promote the recognition of and create the conditions for the exercise of the right to education and learning. The Institute undertakes research, capacity-building, networking and publication on lifelong learning with a focus on adult and continuing education, literacy and non-formal basic education. UIL responds to the concerns of all UNESCO Member States, giving priority to least developed countries.