Documentation Centre and Archives on Feminism, Equal Opportunities and Women's Studies
Documentation Centre and Archives 
Nikoli Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872), a Danish clergyman and writer, is regarded as the ideological father of popular and adult education.
He advocated 'life enlightenment', aimed at giving each individual, regardless of age or background, the opportunity to learn throughout life. The objective of learning was twofold: to give personal fulfillment to the individual and to ensure the active participation of all citizens in public life.
As a learning method, Grundtvig advocated the use of dialogue and the spoken word. He further believed that teaching should be based on and relate to real-life experiences and not abstract matters.
These ideas inspired the creation of the Nordic folk high schools. These residential colleges of non-formal adult education are now established components of the Nordic education system and exsist in other countries as well.
Learn more about Grundtvig on Wikipedia
