Transcript Diapositiva 1

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
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
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
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.
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.
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.”
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”
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
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
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://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2011:372:0001:0006:EN:PDF)
• New programme generation: ERASMUS FOR ALL (2013-2020)
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
•
EUA-European University Association: Report Trends 2010; The
European Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning (2008) –
www.eua.be
•
Other European networks incl.: UNICA | SANTANDER | COIMBRA |
EDEN | ENQA | ESU | EAEA | EURASHE | FEDORA | EADTU | EAN |
ESREA | ESMU | EAIE
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
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
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
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)
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/
• DIALOGUE – Bridges between Research and Practice in ULLL (01/1112/13): Case studies, barriers and enhancing factors
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
• 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/documents
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.
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/
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
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?
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
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!
1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL
And finally: an invitation
44th 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,
[email protected]
1991 | 2011 EUCEN: Twenty years committed to LLL