The Learning Society as a Key for Development

Drawing from the academic literature, this paper discusses the concept of the ‘learning society’ and traces back its development. ICT play major roles in the learning society, from providing the technical infrastructure to creating digital skills and competences for lifelong learning and networking. Learning societies engender collective learning and networking, and it is believed that collective learning is the only way to solve the collective problems of the 21st century and to address every social issue – such as development, poverty, peace, justice, and the environment. In this context, developmental implications become of major interest for policy makers, organisations and individuals. Various types of development such as human development, social development, and economic development are discussed in the light of the emergence of the learning society