1. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) in Europe and the Role of European Networks in enhancing Cooperation ICOLLE 2012 18 September 2012, Mendel University Brno, Congress centre Křtiny, Andrea Waxenegger

2. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL Overview 1.What is understood by “University Lifelong Learning (ULLL)” in Europe today? 2.How can European Networks enhance cooperation in the field of ULLL? – example “EUCEN” 3.Challenges

3. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL 1.What is understood by “University Lifelong Learning (ULLL)” in Europe today? The European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning (EUA 2008) – www.eua.be www.eua.be Universities commit to: 1.Embedding concepts of widening access and lifelong learning in their institutional strategies. 2.Providing education and learning to a diversified student population. 3.Adapting study programmes to ensure that they are designed to widen participation and attract returning adult learners. 4.Providing appropriate guidance and counselling services.

4. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL 5.Recognising prior learning. 6.Embracing lifelong learning in quality culture. 7.Strengthening the relationship between research, teaching and innovation in a perspective of lifelong learning. 8.Consolidating reforms to promote a flexible and creative learning environment for all students. 9.Developing partnerships at local, regional, national and international level to provide attractive and relevant programmes. 10.Acting as role models of lifelong learning institutions.

5. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL EU Project BeFlex, led by EUCEN: “ULLL is the provision by higher education institutions of learning opportunities, services and research for: the personal and professional development of a wide range of individuals – lifelong and lifewide; and the social, cultural and economic development of communities and the region. It is at university level and research-based; it focuses primarily on the needs of the learners; and it is often developed and/or provided in collaboration with stakeholders and external actors.”

6. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL ULLL Strategies in Higher Education Institutions - models: Continuing Education/LLL as a concept has arrived; implementation delegated to the Centre for Continuing Education; is this “LLL”? Variation: All we do is “LLL” (meaning: we do not need to change as institution) Stronger connection between “regular university study programmes” and continuing education, but organised separately; opening up to new target groups, mixed groups; stronger cooperation with external partners LLL as new organisational culture – real focus on learners and their needs – link to research – accompanying learners throughout their professional career and in post-retirement; especially in “transition periods”

7. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL 2.How can European Networks enhance cooperation in the field of ULLL? – example “EUCEN” EUCEN-European University Continuing Education Network is an Association (not-for-profit) based on Belgian law – founded 1991 (15 Universities) Currently more than 200 members (institutional membership) from more than 40 countries incl. 14 national ULLL Networks EUCEN’s mission: the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere; to foster universities’ influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe

8. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL EUCEN’s external environment at European level - Policy DG EAC but also DG Employment, DG Regio; CEDEFOP After the Lisbon Strategy in 2010: Europe 2020: including the goals that the percentage of early school leavers should be under 10% and at least 40% of the younger generation should have a tertiary degree. 7 Flagship Initiatives: incl. Youth on the move und Agenda for new skills and jobs ET 2020 - Education & Training 2020 (since 2009): as strategic framework for cooperation with member states; reform of educational systems; permeability

9. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL Modernisation of Higher Education incl. post Bologna: Further implementation of the new degree structure; develop and implement qualification frameworks based on learning outcomes; mobility of students and staff; LLL (Leuven Communiqué) EU Policy “Adult Education”; currently tender project “Opening Higher Education to Adults”: above all enhancing participation of adult learners in HE; results by end of 2012; “renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning ” (http://eur- lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:372:0001:0006:EN:PDF)http://eur- lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:372:0001:0006:EN:PDF New programme generation: ERASMUS FOR ALL (2013-2020)

10. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL EUCEN’s external environment at European level - Associations EUCIS – The European Civil Society Platform on Lifelong Learning www.eucis-lll.eu ; 24 European Networks in the field “Education & Training”; supported by the EC; Stakeholder Forum www.eucis-lll.eu EUA-European University Association: Report Trends 2010; The European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning (2008) – www.eua.be www.eua.be Other European networks incl.: UNICA | SANTANDER | COIMBRA | EDEN | ENQA | ESU | EAEA | EURASHE | FEDORA | EADTU | EAN | ESREA | ESMU | EAIE

11. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL The contribution of EUCEN at European level – WHAT? “Thought Leadership” at European level: Quality – Recognition of Prior Learning – Diversity – Indicators – Institutional development – Management in organisations – Curriculum development – Intergenerational learning – ELearning – Guidance and counselling

12. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL The contribution of EUCEN at European level – Processes Initiating and leading dialogue: Practice, research and policy development in dialogue for innovation Producing and valorising new knowledge: Collecting professional experience and knowledge, structure it, evaluate it, discuss it, enrich it and disseminate and valorise it – main instrument: European projects, mainly with our members Contributing to European Policy development: policy and position papers, contributions to debates, working groups, presentations at all levels – European Commission, other Stakeholders

13. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL The contribution of EUCEN at European level – Instruments Annual European conferences; two per year (spring “Annual conference”; autumn: more staff development event); since 1991: 43 conferences with about 4700 participants; in 23 countries; Proceedings; Study visits: in 12 countries EU projects: since 2001 contractor of 15 EU projects, coordinator 3 others for third parties; supported projects of members through experts, evaluators, dissemination expert; EUCEN managed project funds of over 15 million Euros

14. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL Output: Recommendations – Guidelines – Tools – Check lists – Reports (for example national reports) – Analysis and evaluations – Models, case studies – Training materials; target: quality People involved in EUCEN and also as target groups: Beginners and more experienced members of staff Managers/Directors Teachers/instructors/facilitators Counsellors Administrative and technical staff Rectors, Vice-Rectors Policy Makers Pool of experts (freelance)

15. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL EUCEN projects - some examples : IMPLEMENT – Implementing LLUs through training and development (01/11-12/12) : Training materials (also online) for staff in ULLL http://implement.eucen.eu/ http://implement.eucen.eu/ DIALOGUE – Bridges between Research and Practice in ULLL (01/11- 12/13): Case studies, barriers and enhancing factors http://dialogue.eucen.eu/ http://dialogue.eucen.eu/ OBSERVAL NET (11/11-10/13): a stakeholder-centric network of organisations looking at supporting the validation of non-formal and informal learning (VNIL) in Europe http://www.eucen.eu/OBSERVALnet http://www.eucen.eu/OBSERVALnet ALLUME – A Lifelong Learning University Model for Europe (finished; products: (1) Executive Summary; (2) Pathways and Policies – Recommendations; (3) Tools and Results as well as a Benchmarking Tool) http://allume.eucen.eu/documentshttp://allume.eucen.eu/documents

16. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL Collaboration with National ULLL Networks (NN): exchange of information, feeding into the European debate; EUCEN Conferences with a theme of not only European but also specific national relevance Special EUCEN services for NN: the “National Networks Forum”, inviting all delegates of National Networks to meet in the framework of EUCEN conferences; a space on the EUCEN website for the National Networks; providing speakers for events at national level upon request; supporting the creation of new National Networks by providing information and sharing experience, and, at the invitation of a promoting group, by holding a network development workshop at national level.

17. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL EUCEN contribution’s at institutional level How can an individual university benefit from engaging at European level? Professional knowledge – contacts – staff development – additional income through projects EU projects – supporting developmental work at institutional level; an example: EU project ALLUME – A Lifelong Learning University Model for Europe – strategy development at institutional level; site visits, workshops | http://allume.eucen.eu/http://allume.eucen.eu/

18. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL 3.Challenges At European level: Increasing diversity (age – demographic development, cultural backgrounds, migration, …) – challenge for our civil societies Global economic competition – International competitive environment for universities European Commission: focus on employability; youth unemployment, support for poorly qualified people What does this mean for Higher Education Institutions? For University Lifelong Learning? What are the specific roles of various actors/stakeholders? The need to position ourselves, also in ULLL

19. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL At national level: National Lifelong Learning Strategy – increasing autonomy of universities Implementation of the European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning Implementation of European Tools, e.g. develop a National Qualifications Framework Quality Management and development/assurance Funding – rethinking the models of funding: Who should pay for what?

20. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL At institutional level: Who are our learners and how can we support them in offering individual pathways into higher education and in transition periods throughout their lives? How can we as universities find our priorities in a competitive higher education landscape? How can we support business and industry/the public sector/NGOs with short- and long-term provision? Quality Development and Assurance Organisation and staff development, a growing area of employment – new roles, new skills needed

21. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL The Role of European Associations such as EUCEN Support our members in meeting the challenges – finding own institutional solutions for developing a strategy in ULLL, for developing a provision supporting learners on their individuals pathways and organisations as “learning organisations” Influencing European policy in our field; and strengthening National Networks to influence national policy In the end: assist universities in serving the people of Europe most effectively, for a better Europe, as democratic societies and an innovative and thus competitive economy!

22. 1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL And finally: an invitation 44 th EUCEN European Conference: Border-Crossing as a Viable Choice: Collaboration, Dialogue & Access to Higher Education, 07-09 November 2012, University of Malta www.um.edu.mt/events/eucen2012 www.eucen.eu Contact: Andrea Waxenegger, EUCEN President, Director of the Center for Continuing Education at the University of Graz, andrea.waxenegger@uni-graz.at