The role of University Lifelong Learning in empowering volunteers: findings from a European-wide project Nick Ockenden Institute for Volunteering Research 27 th October 2011, Amsterdam The role of University Lifelong Learning in empowering volunteers: findings from a European-wide project Nick Ockenden Institute for Volunteering Research 27 th October 2011, Amsterdam

Introduction The VALUE project Interaction between ULLL and volunteering Three models of interaction across Europe Factors affecting the level of interaction The impact of service learning Some implications for service learning Introduction The VALUE project Interaction between ULLL and volunteering Three models of interaction across Europe Factors affecting the level of interaction The impact of service learning Some implications for service learning

The VALUE project Aim: to facilitate and stimulate the development of cooperation between universities and the volunteering sector in the delivery of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) to volunteers/volunteering organisation staff Funded by the Grundtvig Agency October 2008 – December 2011 The VALUE project Aim: to facilitate and stimulate the development of cooperation between universities and the volunteering sector in the delivery of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) to volunteers/volunteering organisation staff Funded by the Grundtvig Agency October 2008 – December 2011

Project activities Meetings, networking and sharing good practice Development of a resource base (website) Research – National Reports – Sub group activity Final conference in Ankara (June 2011) Project activities Meetings, networking and sharing good practice Development of a resource base (website) Research – National Reports – Sub group activity Final conference in Ankara (June 2011)

ULLL and volunteering interaction Student volunteering, placements and internships Placement of student volunteers Accreditation of volunteers by universities Joint research projects Training by universities to volunteers and volunteer managers Courses / lectures about the voluntary sector and volunteering ULLL and volunteering interaction Student volunteering, placements and internships Placement of student volunteers Accreditation of volunteers by universities Joint research projects Training by universities to volunteers and volunteer managers Courses / lectures about the voluntary sector and volunteering

Making sense of the diversity across Europe Varies enormously across Europe Findings based on National Reports from 13 countries Discusses the level of interaction between ULLL and volunteering organisations Presents some working models to describe different interactions Making sense of the diversity across Europe Varies enormously across Europe Findings based on National Reports from 13 countries Discusses the level of interaction between ULLL and volunteering organisations Presents some working models to describe different interactions A lot of interaction Very little interaction

A lot of interaction Spain, UK, Netherlands, Germany – Accreditation and training for volunteers – Courses and modules on volunteering – Widespread student volunteering in addition Case study: – University of Duisburg-Essen and UNIAKTIV A lot of interaction Spain, UK, Netherlands, Germany – Accreditation and training for volunteers – Courses and modules on volunteering – Widespread student volunteering in addition Case study: – University of Duisburg-Essen and UNIAKTIV

Some interaction Austria, Italy, Slovakia – Mainly focused on student volunteering – Training – Courses on voluntary sector management Case study: – Prešov University and the Prešov Volunteer Centre Some interaction Austria, Italy, Slovakia – Mainly focused on student volunteering – Training – Courses on voluntary sector management Case study: – Prešov University and the Prešov Volunteer Centre

More limited interaction Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Turkey, Romania – Interaction confined to student volunteering – Some courses open to volunteers Case study: – Middle East Technical University and ILKYAR More limited interaction Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Turkey, Romania – Interaction confined to student volunteering – Some courses open to volunteers Case study: – Middle East Technical University and ILKYAR

Factors affecting the level of interaction Popularity of volunteering – Extent of government support (i.e. legislation) – Historical and cultural factors Extent to which the link between volunteering and learning is appreciated and understood Enthusiasm and interest of individuals within universities Extent of mutual awareness (between universities and volunteering organisations) Level of funding available Factors affecting the level of interaction Popularity of volunteering – Extent of government support (i.e. legislation) – Historical and cultural factors Extent to which the link between volunteering and learning is appreciated and understood Enthusiasm and interest of individuals within universities Extent of mutual awareness (between universities and volunteering organisations) Level of funding available

The impact of service learning Educational – Developing students as ‘good citizens’ – Gaining skills – Gaining course credits – Professional training Societal – Developing students as ‘good citizens’ – Raising the profile of volunteering in society – Supporting people and organisations in need The impact of service learning Educational – Developing students as ‘good citizens’ – Gaining skills – Gaining course credits – Professional training Societal – Developing students as ‘good citizens’ – Raising the profile of volunteering in society – Supporting people and organisations in need

Implications for service learning Compulsion and freewill –What does this mean for the definition of volunteering? Balancing community need and the needs of students –What are the resource implications for volunteering organisations? Service learning as a means to embed a culture of partnership between universities and volunteering organisations Implications for service learning Compulsion and freewill –What does this mean for the definition of volunteering? Balancing community need and the needs of students –What are the resource implications for volunteering organisations? Service learning as a means to embed a culture of partnership between universities and volunteering organisations

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