DVV International is the Institute for International Cooperation of the German Adult Education Association. As a leading professional organisation in Adult Education, the Institute has supported Lifelong Learning in developing and transition countries for more than 45 years now.
DVV International is active on a worldwide basis, cooperating with more than 200 partners in over 35 countries. The Institute sees itself as a professional partner that brings experience and resources to joint projects and learns, in turn, from its partners.
The work of DVV International is financed mainly with funds from the federal budget and other donors.
DVV International
Development
Under the overarching goal of poverty reduction, DVV International strives to establish and develop efficient adult education organizations that contribute, in networks, toward building a system of development-oriented adult education. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the worldwide initiative "Education for All" (EFA) and the World Conferences on Adult Education (CONFINTEA) serve as an action framework which provides important orientation for this endeavour.
The work of DVV International is shaped by clear identification with the interests of the poorer social classes in the Institute's partner countries.
Projects concentrate on basic education and literacy learning, environmental education and sustainable development, global and intercultural learning, migration and integration, health education and AIDS prevention, as well as crisis prevention and democracy education.
A bridge between education and employment is built through a work-oriented and vocational approach which seeks to integrate people in working processes and occupations, improve their income, and equip them with the skills they need to participate in self-help groups and cooperatives.
Cooperation
DVV International follows a sectoral approach with the aim of improving structures in the areas of policy, legislation, and financing, while enhancingg the professionalisation of adult education in theory and practice.
By strengthening the performance capacity of partners in youth and adult education, the Institute seeks to establish durable and effective local and national social structures as a factor in combating poverty.
Projects in individual countries are combined into regional and programme areas, which are jointly planned, managed, and evaluated to establish their impact. The country and regional offices of DVV International in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe structure the local cooperation with partners and secure the quality of the work.
European and international networking with other youth and adult education organizations engaged in development cooperation is a fundamental part of cooperation.
Youth and Adult Education
Education is a universal human right. It is a basic need and an indispensable prerequisite for development.
Education for youth and adults is a core component of education and plays a key role in the process of lifelong learning as general, vocational, cultural, and scientific continuing education and further training.
Non-formal and out-of-school education programmes that provide young people and adults with life-skills training serve functions that complement formal education and training and compensate for their deficiencies.
