Learning and education in adulthood is an essential part of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning promotes personal and professional development by developing or expanding skills, knowledge and abilities and thus contributes to social and professional participation. UNESCO describes the goal of lifelong learning in its recommendation on learning and education in adulthood as follows: "The goal of adult learning and education is to equip people with the necessary skills to exercise and realize their rights and take control of their destiny. It promotes personal and professional development and thus more active engagement of adults in their society, community and environment. It promotes sustainable and inclusive economic growth and the prospect of decent work for the individual. It is therefore an essential means of combating poverty, improving health and well-being and contributing to sustainable learning societies." Lifelong learning takes place in very different contexts; a distinction is generally made between formal, non-formal and informal forms of education. This includes a company training course, through which a certificate can be acquired, as well as a pottery course at an adult education center or learning to play an instrument at a music school. But a trip to the museum or a visit to the library also count as opportunities for further education. Due to this diversity, not all areas can be covered in the education monitoring, a selection of relevant figures can be found on the following pages.