OER Knowledge CloudBookAccreditation of prior learning as a lever for lifelong learning: Lessons learnt from the New Opportunities Initiative, PortugalAccreditation of prior learning as a lever for lifelong learning: Lessons learnt from the New Opportunities Initiative, Portugal2011Carneiro, RobertoMendonça, Maria AméliaCarneiro, Maria AnaValente, Ana Cláudiade Carvalho, Lourenço Xavierde Carvalho, André XavierLopes, HenriqueLiz, CarlosMachado, MarianaRocha, Jorge PortugalMelo, Rodrigo Queiroz E.Reis, Sofiavan den Dungen, MarjaTiana, AlejandroDondi, ClaudioCullen, JoeKastis, NikitasKugemann, WalterNascimbeni, FabioCarneiro, RobertoUNESCOMENON NetworkCEPCEP – Centro de Estudos dos Povos e Culturas de Expressão Portuguesa Universidade Católica Portuguesaservice qualityself-regulationself-assessmentS-D logicresearch and changerelationship marketingrecognition of prior learningpublic sector innovationpublic policypublic governance toolspolicy paradigmspolicy makingpolicy evaluationpermanent campaignNew opportunities initiativenew knowledge and qualitymotivation for education and learningmanagement modelsLifelong Learninghabitusfamily influenceeducational innovationCAf modelbrand personalitybrand equitybrand communicationsadult educationaccreditation of prior learning public policyacademia and policyPortugalenPublito – Estúdio de Artes Gráficas Lda.1-378978-972-9045-29-5The book gives an account of the research conducted in the independent evaluation of the New Opportunities Initiative (NOI), one of the largest Portuguese governmental programmes in recent decades to upgrade qualifications. The NOI demonstrates that the recognition of non-formal and informal learning is crucial in order to improve the competences needed in our societies today. This book reflects on the NOI and its potential for societies in Europe and the rest of the world. The publication is based on a solid foundation of empirical evidence, encompassing seven papers subjected to an extensive academic peer review procedure. The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, together with its partners in this publication, MENON and the Study Centre on Peoples and Cultures of the Portuguese Catholic University (CEPCEP), hopes that discussions on the NOI research papers will help to shed light on a reform agenda that is of the greatest urgency in our continuing and lifelong learning systems.http://www.ucp.pt/site/resources/documents/CEPCEP/Accreditation_final.pdfhttp://www.ucp.pt/site/resources/documents/CEPCEP/Accreditation_final.pdfPLARUNESCO.pdfPalmeira BRAGA (Portugal), Portugal, Europe