Policy and legislative environment

Abstract

The chapter on policy and legislative environment highlights the differences between countries that have an overarching legal framework specifically for RVA, and others that have a range of relevant legal acts and regulations set in the formal education and training systems. But not all RVA activity is necessarily linked to governmental policy and legislative activity as in the US. Countries with NQFs have institutionalised RVA as a requirement of any accredited training within the NQF. However, further interrogation is required on whether NQF legislation alone is able to ensure that RVA is taken on board; or, whether other legislations specific to RVA are needed. Another question is whether countries with a uniform policy and legislation on RVA are more likely to develop systems of RVA than is the case where such legislation is absent. Legislation is an important aspect of RVA in European countries and is linked to the notion of individual rights and wide involvement of several stakeholders.