Nikolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig (1783 – 1872) was a Danish clergyman and writer who is regarded as the founder of the Nordic tradition of lifelong learning.

He was an advocate for the idea that education should be available throughout life and should embrace citizenship and personal development.

These ideas were first introduced in ‘folk schools’ in which education for adults was not based on books and teacher authority only, but on the free exchange of ideas, opinion and information between the learners and the teacher.

The first school based on these principles was established in 1844 in Rødding, but soon many others followed.

Young people would then as today attend these (boarding) schools for 6 months during which a number of voluntary activities take place, but activities that aim at personal development rather than scholastic achievements. Today they also cater for other groups as well see www.folkehojskoler.dk

For more information see:www.nfs-grundtvig.dk a new website that introduces the many aspects of his work (Danish)

There is a drawing of a small town with institutions relating to his ideas.

A few of the references are in English, but you must look for the English flag in order to find them

www.infed.org/thinkers/et-grund.htm                     

from an encyclopedia on informal education (about the folk schools)