Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of continuing education in sustainable community development and poverty alleviation. It was written to address the gap in the literature on how continuing education can serve as a strategic response to the intergenerational transmission of poverty and its associated social deprivations. The paper discusses the challenges posed by global poverty, including inequality, hunger, violence, exploitation, and inadequate healthcare, and explores how continuing education programmes can empower individuals and communities to overcome these challenges. A typology of continuing education programmes is presented as an analytical framework, alongside strategies for promoting sustainable community development. The key issues summarised include the link between poverty and social exclusion, the potential of continuing education to enhance individual well-being, and its role in fostering community resilience and intergenerational improvement in quality of life. The paper emphasises that continuing education is not only a tool for individual empowerment but also a catalyst for community transformation and sustainable development. Recommendations include the formulation of government policies that prioritise lifelong learning opportunities for citizens, as well as active collaboration from private organisations in sponsoring and supporting sustainable community development programmes aimed at poverty alleviation. DOI: https://doie.org/10.50390/NCAEJ.2026397771