European University LLL - The Managers' Handbook

EULLearN - the European University Lifelong Learning Network - funded by the EU Socrates - Erasmus programme - aims to make a European area of lifelong learning (LLL) a reality by identifying coherent strategies and practical measures to develop LLL, especially in universities. EULLearN is working to make traditional systems much more open and flexible and to promote equal opportunities, so that individuals will be able to find educational opportunities to suit their needs and interests throughout their lives. Case studies. Contents. Authors.
Introduction
This e-publication - European University Lifelong Learning: The Managers’ Handbook - is a practical guide on the management of LLL in European universities, frequently termed university continuing education. The Handbook is the result of collaboration between experts in 31 European countries and benefits from their experience and knowledge of LLL, which is reflected both in the text on important management topics and in more than 70 case studies reflecting good practice in LLL across Europe.
This new edition (the 4th) reflects the developments which are changing higher education and LLL in Europe, e.g. European policy promoting LLL; ECTS, the Bologna process, and AP(E)L; e-learning and ICT; regional development activities; and regional, national, European and international collaboration on LLL. The text has been thoroughly revised, there are new authors, almost half the case studies are new and others have been up-dated. The Handbook’s new format on the web makes it easier for readers to access the contents and to find what interests them.
The Handbook is designed not only for those who are involved in deciding policy on LLL or who manage LLL in higher education, but also for students and teachers on the many courses concerned with LLL and e-learning. Although it principally concerns universities, much of the Handbook is also relevant to other providers of LLL for adults, such as colleges, employers, LLL businesses, the professions and voluntary organizations.
The Handbook provides a range of challenges for those involved in shaping both policy and practice which will promote the further development of LLL within higher education. It seeks to examine the contribution which university LLL can make to meeting new challenges in a knowledge society.  It examines the range of programmes and services which are provided for individuals, business and society and provides a resource for exchanging good practice and experience. Its also contributes to the European Commission’s database on good practice, providing knowledge and expertise from all over Europe.
In The Managers’ Handbook, the authors of chapters - Helka Urponen, Valerie Mitchell, Mick Brennan, Danguole Rutkauskiene, Frank Moe and Rob Mark - address the following key aspects of the management of LLL:
Chapter 1. THE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITY LIFELONG LEARNING: AN OVERVIEW.
Chapter 2. A POLICY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING.
Chapter 3. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND UNIVERSITY LIFELONG LEARNING MANAGEMENT.
Chapter 4. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES.
Chapter 5. E-LEARNING MANAGEMENT FOR LIFELONG LEARNING.
Chapter 6. MARKETING.
Chapter 7. STAFF AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT.
Chapter 8. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
Chapter 9. QUALITY ASSURANCE.
Chapter 10. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: UNIVERSITIES AND LIFELONG LEARNING IN THE NEW EUROPE.
In addition, over 120 contributors from across Europe have contributed over 70 case studies on these topics, illustrating both the wealth and diversity of LLL and its management across Europe. Through the case studies, the Handbook provides examples of how Europe’s universities are responding to the new economic, social, political, cultural and environmental challenges posed by the new Europe and the knowledge society. These include changes in policy, regional development projects, ICT strategies, organizational changes, regional and European collaboration, marketing, developments in curricula and in teaching and learning, quality and accreditation models, and much more. There are also some case studies from non-university providers of LLL. In short, the Handbook provides policy makers and practitioners in LLL with a wealth of new ideas on how to implement change. We hope that you will use the Handbook, comment on it, and submit your own contributions to it in the future.