HRD is not an exclusive corporate interest. More than ever before, individuals
want to master their own lives and expect to contribute to the economy
and society. The International Labor Organization (2002) places the
individual at the center of the knowledge- and skills-based society and
reports impressive growth results in Danish enterprises that combined
learning activities and innovation. In Sweden, the Adult Education Initiative
(AEI) is the largest adult education investment initiative ever undertaken
in the country and explicitly puts the focus on the individual. In
Europe, the development of individuals as active citizens of society is given
a central place in statements of learning and education objectives (Commission
of the European Communities, 1996). Learning opportunities and
decent work underpin individuals’ independence, self-respect, and
well-being and, therefore, is a key to overall quality of life. The European
Council held a special meeting onMarch 23-24, 2000 in Lisbon to agree on a
new strategic goal for the Union to strengthen employment, economic
reform, and social cohesion as part of the knowledge-based economy.
Investing in people is the focal point in the Union’s policies, not only to play
an important role in such knowledge economy but also to resolve existing
social problems of unemployment, social exclusion, and poverty. Economic
growth, innovation, social cohesion, and lifelong learning are considered as
inseparable (Lisbon European Council, 2000). The 2002 European Council
in Barcelona stressed the importance of education and training in the
achievement of the Lisbon ambitions by setting a new overall goal: “tomake
Europe’s education and training systems a world quality reference by 2010”
(Commission of the European Communities, 2002). These policies put
HRD at the core of a knowledge economy and a learning society.