University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Lifelong learning and the 'outsider': the case of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

chapter
posted on 2023-06-08, 00:57 authored by Linda MorriceLinda Morrice
At a time when UK universities are increasingly courting fee-paying overseas students to help balance the books, this paper will consider the needs and aspirations of refugees in relation to lifelong learning. While international student services in universities grow and invest in supporting and meeting the challenge of the diversity of their students, the doors to Higher Education generally remain firmly closed to refugees, despite the fact that many come to the UK with existing higher level qualifications and aspirations to study. Lifelong learning, the Government claims, is more than about increasing human capital and economic competitiveness, it also has a role in promoting active citizenship and contributing to what is increasingly referred to as social capital. It is suggested that lifelong learning contributes to social cohesion and fosters a sense of belonging, responsibility and identity, and that it helps to build a united society (1998 p. 11 and 10). The language and general ethos of social capital is evident in an increasing number of policy documents. Its development has been hailed as the key to success in creating stronger communities, stronger bonds of trust and cooperation and tackling a host of social problems from low educational attainment, crime, under-employment to poor health. (SEU 2000; SEU 2001). However, it is recognized that social capital has an important downside (E.g. Portes, 1993; Portes & Landholt, 1996; Molyneux, 2002; Blaxter & Hughes, 2000) and can be particularly problematic for marginalised groups. The limitations of the concept will be explored in relation to refugees.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Publisher

NIACE

Page range

285-293

Pages

8.0

Book title

Diversity and Difference in Lifelong Learning. The Proceedings of the 35th Annual Conference of SCUTREA: Standing Conferance on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults

Place of publication

Leicester

ISBN

9780904242508

Department affiliated with

  • Education Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Editors

Pamela Coare, Linda Morrice, P Armstrong, M Boice

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC