The Universities Association for Lifelong Learning supports policy and practice across the UK higher education sector in part-time/flexible provision, employer engagement/work based learning, and community engagement.
About UALL
The Association acts as a consultative body for policy formulation and advocacy, representing the sector to government departments, funding bodies and national higher education organisations across the four nations of the United Kingdom. UALL provides a forum for the active exchange of ideas and good practice and undertakes research. Members represent all aspects of the sector, within and beyond universities, both in the UK and internationally, from senior managers to practitioners, and with interests ranging from public and employer engagement to lifelong learning. More...

One important role for FACE is to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of information and practices in Lifelong Learning and Continuing Education. By promoting collaboration and innovation between providers and practitioners FACE aims to support and encourage a socially inclusive framework for Lifelong Learning, challenging exclusion and fostering full participation. As a large multi-sector network we play a key role as a pressure group, service provider, staff development forum, national policy shaper, information service, event organiser.

A Brief History of FACE
FACE, originally entitled the Forum for the Advancement for Continuing Education, was formally established as an educational charity in 1993. Prompted by the abolition of the binary divide in HE, the development of FACE was part of a raft of significant changes in HE. Where there had been universities and polytechnics (and an earlier incarnation of FACE in the Polytechnic Association for Continuing Education) now polytechnics became independent of local authorities and were granted university charters with powers to award degrees and to undertake higher level research. At the same time there was growing recognition that continuing education, in all its manifestations, was central to economic growth and social inclusion. More...

The National/Regional Networks that are members of EUCEN currently are:

Current Projects

• COMMIT - Committing to the social dimension in universities
  Project 539519-LLP-1-2013-1-BE-ERASMUS-ESIN. COMMIT intends to increase commitment to the social dimension of higher education and support strategies for increasing attainment. The project builds on the work of a previous project – ALLUME – which developed 3 self evaluation tools for universities to review their strategy for implementation of a comprehensive and coherent LLL university. This COMMIT project will review those 3 tools, refining and adapting them and adding new features which take on board a wider and clearer idea of the social dimension of HE; it will also design and develop a new tool for monitoring attainment in HE and integrate these tools in HEIs management systems.
• 
  Connect-VET: Vocational education and training connecting HE and rural companies
  Leonardo da Vinci, Transfer of Innovation. Submission ID 542692. This project coordinated by the University of Helsinki -Ruralia Institute- will focus on transferring and further developing organisational innovations in the VET sector. The existing good practices for SME-VET-HE/R knowledge chain together with selected models will be piloted in the nature-based entrepreneurship (NBE) sector in 5 countries and based on the pilots long term co-operation plans made. In each country the aim is to form "a trinity" VET-SMEs-HE/R to carry out the piloting.
• 
  TALOE - Time to Assess Learning Outcomes in eLearning
  Project 543097-LLP-1-2013-1-PT-KA3-KA3MP. This project coordinated by the University of Porto intends to provide a practical tool to suggest an adequate e-assessment strategy. EUCEN's role will be connected to the Exploitation of the project and also to Dissemination.
• 
  PACE - Project actors community in Europe
  Project 543137-LLP-1-2013-1-AT-KA4-KA4MP. This project coordinated by dieBerater seeks to establish a platform for the partners from projects to share, develop and disseminate existing project support products. EUCEN's role would be mainly linked to the Dissemination package in this project.
• 
  PACT - Project actors capacity training in Caucasus
  Project 544047-TEMPUS-1-2013-1-GE-TEMPUS-JPGR. The main aim of this project coordinated by the David Tvildiani Medical University (Georgia) is to successfully transfer existing knowledge funded by the EU for project developers in the Caucasus Region and sharing experience of EU-universities in project development. EUCEN will co-lead the Dissemination package of this project.
• 
  VALERU - Validation of non-formal and informal learning in Russian HE
  Project 544405-TEMPUS-1-2013-1-AT-TEMPUS-SMHES. This project coordinated by the University of Krems intends to build capacity in VNIL in Russian HEIs in line with the EU2020 strategy. EUCEN will co-lead the Dissemination package, including the co-organisation of the final conference of this project. More...

Members
Albania - Austria - Bangladesh - Belgium - Bosnia & Herzegovina - Colombia - Czech Republic - Denmark - Estonia - Finland - France - Georgia - Germany - Greece - Hungary - Iceland - Ireland - Italy - Liechtenstein - Lithuania - Macedonia - Malta - Netherlands - Norway - Palestine - Poland - Portugal - Romania - Russia - Slovakia - Slovenia - Spain - Sweden - Switzerland - Turkey - United Kingdom - United States.

France
CDSUFC - Conférence nationale des directeurs de service universitaire de la formation continue (Full Network)
National Institute of the East Languages and Civilizations (Full Member)
University Blaise Pascal Clermont II (Full Member)
University of Angers (Full Member)
University of Bretagne Occidental (Full Member)
University of Bretagne Sud (Full Member)
University of Haute-Alsace (Full Member)
University of Lille 1 (Full Member)
University of Nancy 1, Henri Poincare (Full Member)
University of Paris V, Rene Descartes (Full Member)
University of Paris VI, Pierre and Marie Curie (Full Member)
University of Rennes 2 Haute Bretagne  (Full Member)
University of Versailles Saint Quentin-en-Yveslines (Full Member). More...

WHAT ARE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF EUCEN?

1.     to contribute to the economic and cultural life of Europe through the promotion and advancement of lifelong learning within higher education institutions in Europe and elsewhere;
2.     to foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.

In furtherance of the above-mentioned objectives the Association shall have, amongst its functions, the following:

1.     to provide a forum for the development, interchange and dissemination of innovation and good practice on lifelong learning within European higher education;
2.     to encourage high standards in all areas of lifelong learning and to harmonise levels of quality for lifelong learning among its members;
3.     to represent the interests of the lifelong learning community within higher education and to European policymakers;
4.     to facilitate communication, liaison and collaboration with other appropriate bodies and organisations;
5.     to promote and conduct research into lifelong learning and to disseminate the results of this research;
6.     to obtain, collect and receive money, funds and other property and to administer them in pursuance of the objectives of the Association.

The Association shall ensure that its objectives and activities remain non profit-making.

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY UNIVERSITY LIFELONG LEARNING (ULLL)?
The definition of ULLL varies between countries and universities. EUCEN seeks to include this rich diversity and to have a coherent focus for our activities.
We have therefore adopted the following definition of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL):
"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".

WHAT ROLE DOES EUCEN HAVE?
EUCEN has an important role in the policy making process. It is represented on a number of committees and advisory panels at European level and provides experts and expert teams for international projects and consultancy to universities wishing to develop lifelong learning strategies and actions. Through conferences, projects and networking activities we provide a wide range of opportunities for staff and curriculum development, for the sharing of best practice and for the development of international contacts for ULLL. More...

Wed, 11/06/2014 to Fri, 13/06/2014, Warsaw,Poland, LLL Universities & the European Policies on Social Investment.
PRESENTATION
Given the magnitude of challenges faced by Europe today, including population ageing as well as economic crisis, but also increasing pace of changes due to globalisation and technological development, it is important to seek for human capital development that would enable Europe to face these challenges. The European Commission recently announced its Social Investment Package, which guides the policy responses for human development. Lifelong learning universities should take the conference as an opportunity to discuss and define their understanding of the "social investment".

See also:
45th EUCEN Conference - Transferring Knowledge in a Globalised World: a ULLL Responsibility
EUCEN's 44th Conference - Valletta,
EUCEN 43rd Universities’ Engagement in and with Society - Graz
EUCEN 42nd Conference Bridging the gaps between learning pathways - Genoa
EUCEN 41st Conference Education as a right - LLL for all - Granada
EUCEN 40th Conference From Rhetoric to Reality - Lille
39th EUCEN Conference Lifelong Learning for the New Decade - Rovaniemi
38th EUCEN Conference Quality and Innovation in Lifelong Learning - Jönköping University
37th EUCEN European Conference Recommendations for universities,
36th EUCEN Conference University Lifelong Learning: Synergy between partners - Tallinn
Founding Meeting: UCE Collaboration & Development - Bristol
Promoting Active Citizenship in Europe- Scotland - Edinburgh
The University as an International and Regional Actor - Hannover
ULLL & the Bologna Process: From Bologna to London - Ljubljana
32nd EUCEN Symposium/4º Project Forum - Paris
Universities as a driver for regional development - Gdynia
30th EUCEN Symposium - 3rd EUCEN Project Forum- Italy 17-19 November 2005 - Rome
From Bologna to Bergen and Beyond- Norway 28-30 April 2005 - Bergen
28th EUCEN Symposium - 2nd EUCEN Project Forum- Lithuania 4-6 November 2004 - Kaunas
Developing Learning Regions "Thoughts to Actions"- Ireland 9-12 June 2004 - Limerick
26th EUCEN Symposium - 1st EUCEN Project Forum- Portugal 6-9 November 2003 - Aveiro
Accrediting LLL: Classroom, workplace or...life?- Czech Republic- 14-17 May 2003 - Brno
E-learning, Co-operative Learning & Co.- Austria 17-19 October 2002 - Vienna
Teachers, Facilitatiors, Mentors or Managers?- Hungary 15-18 May 2002 - Pécs
Professional and Institutional Development in CE- Italy 25-28 October 2001 - Chieti
Building a network world: World networking in continuing education- Spain 16-19 May 2001 - Barcelona
Equality - Quality in University Continuing Education- England 12-15 October 2000 - London
Death and Re-birth of University Education- Norway 4-5 May 2000 - Bergen
Changing Work and Education Needs- Finland 1-4 December 1999 - Joensuu
Learning from Each Other: European Dimension of UCE- Iceland 24-27 June 1999 - Reykjavik
LLL: Links between Western and Central Europe- Poland 7-9 October 1998 - Warsaw
Pedagogics and Practice in Lifelong Learning- Sweden 13-16 May 1998 - Örebro
Encouring Creativity and Innovation in University CE- Ireland 17-19 October 1997 - Dublin
Competition & Cooperation in UCE- Switzerland 2-5 April 1997 - Lausanne
University Continuing Education and Professions- Italy 11-13 October 1996 - Catania
Good Practice in Open and Distance Learning- France 27-30 March 1996 - Nantes
University CE - Meeting the needs of the Region- Belgium 26-29 October 1995 - Kortrijk
The Funding of Univeristy Continuing Education- Scotland 19-23 April 1995 - Glasgow
Using Multimedia Methods in University CE- Greece 21-23 October 1994 - Olympia
Implementing High Quality UCE- Finland 2-3 June 1994 - Helsinki
Motivating Academia for UCE- Portugal 28 October-1 November 1993 - Porto
UCE in Spain and Europe- Spain 13-16 May 1993 - Barcelona
Universities' Future Role in CE- Netherlands 23-25 October 1992 - Leiden
Practical Aspects of European UCE- Belgium 15-17 May 1992 - Liège
Conditions and Prespectives of UCE- Germany 15-17 November 1991 - Hannover.

Par Patrick Arnoux. Et le politique n’arrange pas les choses.
Grandes écoles/universités sont un peu les frères ennemis de l’enseignement supérieur à la française, structuré par cette dualité unique au monde. Elle nous a couté si cher quand les Chinois se sont livrés à des benchmarks planétaires que des dispositions ont été prises pour relever ce défi révélé d’une si humiliante façon. Mais les regroupements décidés fin juillet – les Comue – se passent mal. Cela aurait pu être une formidable occasion d’entente entre des acteurs majeurs afin de parvenir à une forte visibilité.
L’hégémonie et l’entre soi universitaire en a décidé autrement. Il est vrai qu’entre les grandes écoles et les universités, l’antagonisme – singulièrement dopé par le politique – se décline en de solides pommes de discorde, recherche, diplômes de masters et mastères, stages , classes prépas etc. Guerre larvée sur de multiples fronts alors que les contraintes extérieures devraient les obliger à s’entendre, à proposer des cursus communs, et des marques à forte visibilité. Voir l'article...

How to develop ULLL programmes: From  the needs analysis to the design
Dialogue between research and practice

Barcelona, Thursday 06 - Friday 07 November 2014

The 2014 EUCEN autumn seminar adresses the process of creation of ULLL programmes, with a particular focus on the phases of "Needs Analysis" and "Design of ULLL programmes".
Guided by facilitators, experts on this field, participants will challenge their practice with the results of research and construct together innovative solutions.

What can you expect from this Seminar?

•     Exchange of good practices in the phase of defining “who is the programme meant for” and “which are the concrete needs of the identified audience”
•     Challenges and methodology in the phases of Analysing the needs and Designing the programme for a specific audience
•     Meaning of LLL for individual learners. The concrete consequences for the designers and planners of LLL programmes
•     Integration of the future transfer of the acquired capabilities of the learners into their work
•     Development of programs for emerging professions and career transition
•     Research-based programmes

Take the opportunity to work with experts on this topic!

How to develop ULLL programmes: From  the needs analysis to the design
Dialogue between research and practice

Barcelona, Thursday 06 - Friday 07 November 2014

The 2014 EUCEN autumn seminar adresses the process of creation of ULLL programmes, with a particular focus on the phases of "Needs Analysis" and "Design of ULLL programmes".

Guided by facilitators, experts on this field, participants will challenge their practice with the results of research and construct together innovative solutions.

What can you expect from this Seminar?

• Exchange of good practices in the phase of defining “who is the programme meant for” and “which are the concrete needs of the identified audience”
• Challenges and methodology in the phases of Analysing the needs and Designing the programme for a specific audience
• Meaning of LLL for individual learners. The concrete consequences for the designers and planners of LLL programmes
• Integration of the future transfer of the acquired capabilities of the learners into their work
• Development of programs for emerging professions and career transition
• Research-based programmes

Take the opportunity to work with experts on this topic!