The Development of A Learning Society in Taiwan

Lifelong learning is an essential mode of living and a key element for enhancing self-development as well as national competitiveness in this modern society. Ever since 1990, international institutions and nation states all over the world have been actively engaged in promoting lifelong learning. Some even regard the development of lifelong learning as a great social movement in the era. Lately, Taiwan has also put great efforts in shaping a lifelong learning society. Several policies were made and put into action; yet, a task of setting up a learning society has not fully accomplished, not to mention the gap of lifelong learning in the society is not eliminated. It is agreed that the gap in lifelong learning will also enlarge other gaps in knowledge, economics, culture and the society. All these gaps will not only extend the social exclusion but also hinder the social integration. Base on the reasons mentioned above, this study aims to explore the current social development of lifelong learning in Taiwan from an international point of view. It first investigates the major issues that Taiwan has encountered with on its way to building up a lifelong learning society, and then provides pragmatic strategies for constructing the future lifelong learning society in Taiwan, which include to establish various learning organizations, to boost learning towns and cities, to promote lifelong learning organizations, to improve the quality of the course and the personnel, and to cultivate lifelong learning citizens.