Because by its very nature a learning community develops in a way that is explicitly
towards self-sustaining, these features are interchangeable as means and ends. We
therefore argue that the most effective way to work towards, achieve, and maintain a
sustainable learning community is through participatory action learning and action
research (PALAR) and a new enabling framework developed by the Global University
for Lifelong Learning (GULL). But first we provide the necessary background for
understanding our case study.