Introduction: learning society and community education in a globalized context

As individuals are embedded in communities and broader societies, community education and the development of learning societies play a critical role in shaping both personal well-being and collective human futures. With the rapid social transformation and increasing global challenges, every individual’s fate is interconnected with the learning society and community education. Recognizing this, the global community is intensifying its efforts to build a collaborative learning community and society. This book offers a comparative exploration of the policies, practices, and innovations in community education across 12 countries, including China, South Korea, India, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, and the United States. Through diverse case studies, the book illustrates a shared commitment to fostering inclusive, lifelong learning pathways, whether through grassroots initiatives, government policies, or hybrid education models. Looking forward, continued efforts are needed to advance a sustainable, high-quality, future-oriented community education and global learning society.