November 2026 brings a dense run of decisions on lifelong learning in Africa and Europe. African Union education ministers meet in Addis Ababa from 2 to 6 November, UNESCO launches its Global Report on Teachers there on 23 November, and EU education ministers gather in Brussels on 19 November. Here is what to watch for lifelong learning in November, and why it matters for trainers.
Key facts
- The Sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology (STC-EST 6) is scheduled for 2 to 6 November 2026 in Addis Ababa.
- The 2026 Global Report on Teachers, themed “Advancing teacher professional development through lifelong learning”, will be launched at the 15th Teacher Policy Dialogue Forum at African Union headquarters from 23 November.
- The EU’s Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth) meets in Brussels on 19 November 2026 under the Irish Presidency.
- Last year the European Commission published both the Erasmus+ annual call and the Education and Training Monitor on 12 November 2025.
November at a glance
| Date | What | Where | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–6 Nov | AU STC-EST 6 | Addis Ababa | First ministerial session since CESA 2026–2035 took effect |
| 9–10 Nov | Cedefop/EESC Policy Learning Forum on upskilling pathways | Brussels | Who takes part in adult training |
| Mid-Nov (expected) | Erasmus+ 2027 call; Education and Training Monitor 2026 | European Commission | Funding rules and EU 2030 targets |
| 19 Nov | EYCS Council (Education and Youth) | Brussels | Ministers’ positions on Erasmus+ after 2027 |
| 23 Nov onward | Teacher Policy Dialogue Forum; Global Report on Teachers | Addis Ababa | Global benchmark for teacher CPD |
| 23–27 Nov | WFCP World Congress | Nairobi | TVET colleges and polytechnics |
Africa: ministers, teachers and polytechnics
AU education ministers meet in Addis Ababa (2–6 November)
The STC-EST Bureau adopted the 2 to 6 November dates at a videoconference on 22 May 2026, according to the Sahrawi press agency SPS, and UNESCO IICBA lists the session in Addis Ababa. It is the first full session since the AU launched its Decade of Education 2025–2034 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2026–2035 on 1 October 2025. The AU said the recommendations from Africa Skills Week, held in Harare on 12 to 16 October, would feed into the meeting, including proposals on skills financing and work-based learning. Watch for any adopted indicators. CESA progress reports drive donor priorities for years.
A global report on teacher learning (from 23 November)
The International Task Force on Teachers for Education 2030 and UNESCO will launch the 2026 Global Report on Teachers at the 15th Teacher Policy Dialogue Forum at AU headquarters. The report drew on more than 170 case study submissions and six country studies, among them South Africa, Finland and Germany. It examines how initial teacher education, induction, mentoring and continuing development connect, and how non-formal and informal learning can be recognised. Dates differ slightly between sources: the Teacher Task Force gives 23 to 25 November, while IICBA’s calendar lists 23 to 26 November.
Polytechnics gather in Nairobi (23–27 November)
The Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) hosts the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) World Congress at the Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, under the theme “Building Skills for Sustainability, Innovation and Global Employability”. Registration costs USD 500 for the main congress, preceded by a leadership summit on 21 and 22 November. An earlier EfVET announcement placed it at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre until 28 November, so check the official site before booking. Also in Addis Ababa, the 23rd Conference on Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (COMSTEA) runs from 9 to 13 November.
What will Europe decide on lifelong learning in November?
Adult upskilling under review (9–10 November)
Cedefop and the European Economic and Social Committee host the sixth Policy Learning Forum on upskilling pathways for adults at the EESC in Brussels. It is invitation only. The forum is part of the European Skills & VET Week, which this year features the Lifelong Learning Awards; the Lifelong Learning Platform’s 2026 theme is the validation and recognition of all learning. On 19 November, Cedefop also holds an online conference on the future of vocational education.
The Erasmus+ 2027 call and the Monitor
Neither date is confirmed. If the Commission repeats last year’s calendar, both documents will arrive in mid-November. The 2026 call, published on 12 November 2025, carried a budget of nearly EUR 5 billion. The 2027 call is the last of the 2021–2027 programme, and UK institutions return for the 2027/28 academic year, as 3LNews has reported. The 2025 Monitor recorded early school leaving at an all-time low of 9.4%.
Ministers in Brussels (19 November)
Education ministers will meet at the EYCS Council. The Council says agenda highlights appear about a week before. Ireland’s Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, has named progress on Erasmus+ within negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework as a presidency priority. For background on the political mood, see our analysis Erasmus Is Coming Back.
What this means for educators and trainers
Most of the calendar for lifelong learning in November is set by ministers, but trainers can act on it. Prepare for Erasmus+ now. Partnership deadlines usually fall in the first quarter, so consortia that wait for the call lose weeks; check last year’s Programme Guide and line up partners, including UK ones. TVET leaders in Kenya, Ghana or Ethiopia should read the AU’s November outcomes for funding signals. Teacher trainers can use the Global Report on Teachers when arguing for paid CPD time.
FAQ
Is the Erasmus+ 2027 call date confirmed?
No. The Commission had not announced a date as of mid-October 2026; the November expectation is based on the 2025 calendar.
Can trainers attend the Teacher Policy Dialogue Forum?
It is an in-person, high-level policy event. Check the Teacher Task Force website for registration conditions.
Sources: UNESCO IICBA; UNESCO; Teacher Task Force; WFCP 2026; Cedefop; Council of the EU; UNIMED; African Union.
