Promises of Freedom: Citizenship, Belonging and Lifelong Learning

Does increasing social inequality threaten the chances of social harmony in the UK? Why and how has governmental and employer policy for lifelong learning constituted a narrowing of its compass and a failure to deliver on its emancipatory promise? Why do so few people - especially young adults - take an active part in politics these days, including elections, but also more widely? This highly topical book examines the promises for social improvement, a better life and greater freedom that are deeply inscribed in enriched citizenship, a deep sense of belonging, full and open expression of people's identities and extensive engagement in lifelong learning across the lifespan. To what extent are these promises likely to be fulfilled and what barriers stand in the way of their fulfilment? To address these questions Fryer reviews a wide range of scholarly literature, policy documents and empirical data relating to citizenship, belonging and lifelong learning. At a time when politicians and policy makers are debating the merits and demerits of the idea of the 'Big Society', Promises of Freedom provides a thorough introduction to the issues of citizenship, belonging and identity, and to the role of the State in relation to them, which lie at the very heart of the debate.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements; Preface; Chapter One: Introduction: focus, purposes and scope; Chapter Two: Headline messages; Chapter Three: Citizenship; Chapter Four: Identity, belonging and 'difference'; Chapter Five: The politics of citizenship and belonging Chapter Six: Social change, community and social solidarity; Chapter Seven: Work and consumption in an era of digitisation and corporate responsibility; Chapter Eight: Inclusion, pluralism and social cohesion; Chapter Nine: Education for citizenship and civil renewal; Chapter Ten: Some problems and concerns; Chapter Eleven: The challenges and promise of lifelong learning; Chapter Twelve: Underpinning citizenship and belonging: some principles for lifelong learning; References and further reading

About the Author :
Professor R.H. (Bob) Fryer CBE is Chair of the Campaign for Learning UK and is a Board member of NIACE. Bob was formerly Chief Learning Advisor to the Department of Health and National Director for Widening Participation in Learning. He was the founding Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor Designate of NHSU. He was Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Southampton, was Principal of the Northern College for Residential Adult Education for 15 years and chaired the UK government's National Advisory Group for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning. Bob was awarded a CBE for services to Community Education 1999.

Review :
'I am happy to endorse and recommend this book which is very much written in the tradition that Bernard Crick and I set out. In seeking to set out and extend the case for an inclusive, humanistic and optimistic vision of each of the three issues the text concludes with an agenda for action: a set of principles which need to underpin and guide lifelong learning. This will ensure the future development of both citizenship and belonging in a democratic and pluralistic society, against a modern background of the threats of globalisation, risk and increasing insecurity.' (Rt Hon David Blunkett MP) 'Promises of Freedom is an original and stimulating reflection on the meanings of citizenship and belonging in relation to the realities of lifelong learning. It will be of great value to both practitioners and academics.' (Professor John Annette, Pro Vice Master for Lifelong Learning and Engagement and Professor of Citizenship and Lifelong Learning, Birkbeck, University of London)