Malta, 2-4 March 2017
BACKGROUND
The UN Sustainable Development Summit held in New York in September 2015, has led to the
adoption of a new sustainable development agenda, which builds on the eight Millennium
Development Goals. Even though reaching a quality education is the foundation to improving
people’s lives and sustainable development, and despite the fact that much progress has been
made towards increasing access to education at all levels, lifelong learning for sustainable
development is not yet as developed as it should be.
The World Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development is being organized
on the perceived need to explore and present concrete case studies which illustrate how
lifelong learning for sustainable development can be realised.
The Symposium is being jointly organised by the University of Malta, Manchester Metropolitan
University (UK) , the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), and the InterUniversity Sustainable Development Research Programme (IUSDRP), in cooperation with
various UN bodies, government offices and authorities, universities, enterprises, NGOs and
grassroots organisations from across the world.
Education and sustainability researchers from across the world are warmly invited to attend
and present their work at the Symposium: their active inputs will help to reiterate the potential
of lifelong learning for sustainable development, and its contribution to the sustainable
development agenda.
The World Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development will focus on
“strengthening capacity building in lifelong learning for sustainable development” meaning that
it will serve the purpose of showcasing experiences from research, field projects and best
practice in lifelong learning for sustainable development, which may be useful or implemented
across the world.
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AIMS
Consistent with the need for more cross-sectoral interactions among the various stakeholders
working in the field of lifelong learning for sustainable development, the aims of the World
Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development are as follows:
I. to provide research institutions, universities, NGOs and enterprises working with lifelong
learning for sustainable development with an opportunity to display and present their works in
this field;
II. to foster the exchange of information, ideas and experiences acquired in the execution of
projects on lifelong learning for sustainable development, especially successful initiatives and
good practice;
III. to discuss methodological approaches and experiences deriving from case studies and
projects, which aim to show how lifelong learning for sustainable development may be
implemented in practice; and
IV. to provide a platform for networking so that participants can explore possibilities for
cooperation.
Last but not least, a further aim of the event will be to document and disseminate the wealth of
experiences on lifelong learning for sustainable development available today. To this purpose,
the multi-volume publication “Handbook of Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development”
(edited by Walter Leal Filho, Mark Mifsud and Paul Pace) will be published, with all accepted
papers. This will be a further volume of the award-winning “World Sustainability Series”
published by Springer, which since its creation in 2015 has become the world´s leading book
series on sustainable development. The decision of the editors as to which papers may be
selected and undergo peer review for the book, is final.
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ORGANISERS
Co-Chairs
• Professor Walter Leal, Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and Hamburg University of
Applied Sciences (Germany)
• Dr. Mark Mifsud, Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta,
Malta.
• Prof. Paul Pace, Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta,
Malta.
Scientific Committee
• Dr. Abul Quasem Al-Amin, University of Malaya, Malaysia
• Maria de Fátima Pereira Alves, Open University, Portugal
• Dr. Nelson Amaro, Galileo University, Guatemala
• Prof. Ulisses Azeiteiro, University of Coimbra, Portugal
• Dr. Didac Ferrer Balas, Polytechnic of Catalunya, Spain
• Prof. Sandra Caeiro, Universidade Aberta, Portugal
• Dr. Censu Caruana, University of Malta, Malta
• Prof. Adriano Ciani, University of Perugia, Italy
• Dr. Alexander Feher, University of Nitra, Slovakia
• Prof. Baltasar De Andrade Guerra, UNISUL, Brazil
• Professor Sadiq Hussain, Ibri College of Applied Sciences, Sultanate of Oman
• Prof. Dzintra Ilisco, Daugavpils University, Latvia
• Prof. Charbel Jabbour, University of São Paulo, Brazil
• Prof. Maris Klavins, University of Latvia, Latvia
• Dr. Paula Lindroos, Baltic University Programme, Sweden
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• Prof. Violeta Orlovic Lovren, University of Belgrade, Serbia
• Dr. Evangelos Manolas, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
• Prof. Maria Novo, National University on Distance Education, Spain
• Prof. Joost Platje, University of Opole, Poland
• Prof. Diana-Mihaela Pociovalisteanu, Constantin Brancusi University, Romania
• Prof. Luis Vargas, University of Chile, Chile
• Prof. Luis Velazquez, University of Sonora, Mexico
• Prof. Sergei Zenchenko, Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics,
Minsk Branch, Belarus
Organising Committee at the University of Malta
• Ms. Lucienne Bugeja, Logistics & Events Co-Ordination, University of Malta
• Ms. Ruth Agius, Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta.
Scientific Support
• Dr Mihaela Sima, Geography Academy, Romania
• Ms. Alexandra Mifsud, University of Malta, Malta.
Cooperating Organisations
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
• Ministry for Education and Employment (Malta)
• Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change (Malta)
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PROFILEOFPARTICIPANTS
Delegates attending the World Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development
will come from a cross-sectoral range of areas. These are:
1. members of NGOs working with lifelong learning and sustainable development;
2. researchers and teaching staff at universities and research centres;
3. staff at NGOs and community organisations;
4. representatives from companies;
5. representatives from UN and national development and aid agencies working with lifelong
learning and sustainable development, and funding/ executing projects on the ground;
6. project officers and consultants;
7. other people interested in the field.
The participation of doctoral students is warmly encouraged and supervisors/advisers are
kindly requested to facilitate their participation. The sort of international exposure, the rich
content and networking opportunities of this Symposium will be beneficial to their work and
careers.
It is believed that this wide range of participants will help to outline the need for and the
usefulness of integrated approaches towards lifelong learning and sustainable development
and, hence contribute to the further consolidation of this thematic area.
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SYMPOSIUMSTRUCTURE
The World Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development will be organised in
two main strands:
Strand 1: The poster displays
Participants and organisations will be able to put-up poster displays describing their works and
projects and distribute the relevant information during the event. The poster displays will be the
backbone of the event and will allow close, one-to-one contacts between the participants and
the exhibitors.
Strand 2: The presentations
A set of presentations, divided into two main thematic areas will be organised, distributed over
parallel sessions dealing with some of the issues of strategic value in the field of lifelong
learning and sustainable development. These are:
Theme 1: Implementing lifelong learning and sustainable development in formal education
Theme 2: Implementing lifelong learning and sustainable development in non-formal education
The plenary and parallel sessions, as well as the social events, will provide participants with an
outstanding opportunity to interact, network and learn about the latest ideas, projects and
practices, mainstreaming lifelong learning and sustainable development across the world.
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TIME-TABLE
The World Symposium on Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development will be held on 2nd
to 4th March 2017 in Valetta, Malta. The Malta International Airport (www.maltairport.com) has
many international connections. The schedule is as follows:
THURSDAY2ndMARCH2017
FRIDAY3rdMARCH2017
Afternoon:
Arrival and set-up of displays
All day:
Exhibition and visit to displays
Evening:
informal get-together of participants
for informal chats and networking
Morning:
Opening Ceremony, Plenary and Sessions
Afternoon:
Plenary and Sessions
Evening:
Reception
SATURDAY4thMarch2017(morning)
SATURDAY4thMarch2017
(afternoon)
Morning:
Plenary and Sessions
Afternoon:
Plenary and Sessions
Exhibition and visit to displays
Exhibition and visit to displays
Round-table with key experts & Conclusions
In order to ensure an efficient use of the time, delegates are kindly asked to organise their
travel in a way that allows them to arrive in Malta in the course of Wednesday the 2nd March
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2017, and travel back on or after the 5th March 2017, so they can fully take part in the
Symposium.
DEADLINES
Deadline for submission of abstracts: 30th May 2016
Deadline for submission of papers: 30th September 2016
Deadline for registrations: 30th October 2016
Since the conference book is expected to be launched shortly after the event, the deadlines
need to be followed.
FEESANDCHARGES
A discounted fee of € 350 (€ 180 for students) plus 19% VAT, will be charged to those who
register until 30th October 2016 (early bird registration). After that, delegates will need to pay
the full fee of € 400 and € 200 respectively (plus 19% VAT). The fee includes lunches and
coffee breaks on 3rd and 4th March 2017, as well as the evening reception on 3rd March
February 2017. The fees also include a free on-line copy of the publication “Handbook of
Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development” to be sent to be made available to all authors
and registered delegates.
Organisations or individuals not able to pay this fee should contact the Secretariat so that it
may be reduced in special cases. Interested people and organisations are encouraged to
register by completing the application form provided. This is a self-funded event and the
organisers are unable to pay any travel or accommodation costs of any kind. They are
however happy to issue letters of invitation to support delegates in requesting funding for their
participation.
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REGISTRATIONANDCONDITIONSOFPARTICIPATION
Registrations are now open and are possible until the 30th October 2016. Regrettably,
logistical limitations mean that registrations after the deadline will not be possible. Since the
space for poster displays and the time for presentations is limited, delegates are advised to
register as soon as possible. The organisers will notify any interested delegate or organisation
in case there are any limitations with time for presentations or space for displays. Registered
delegates will then receive further details on the payment of the fees and updated information
on the preparations for the event. The decision as to which papers will be accepted for
presentation will be taken by the Chairpersons, following consultation with the organising
committee.
Participants registering to the event will do so under the condition that they will cover their own
travel, accommodation and incidental costs (e.g. visa fees) related to their trip to Malta. This is
a self-funded event and the organisers are unable to pay any travel or accommodation costs of
any kind. Letters of invitation to enter Malta can be only be sent to bona fide, registered
delegates, who have paid their fees and need a document to show their employers. For
cancellations of registrations up to 30 days before the event, a 50% refund may be made. For
cancellations after the 30th December 2016 no refunds will be possible. Registrations are now
open
and
may
be
made
on-line
at:
http://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/ftzals/veranstaltungen/Malta2017.html
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CONTACTPOINTSFORSCIENTIFICINPUTS,STRATEGICCOOPERATIONAND
GUIDANCEONPUBLICATIONS
All questions related to scientific inputs, and strategic partnerships should be sent to:
Walter Leal (BSc, PhD, DSc, DPhil, DEd, DLitt, FSB, FRGS, FLS)
Professor of Environment and Technology
HAW Hamburg (Germany) and Manchester Metropolitan University (UK)
E-mail: info@iccip.net
and/ or
Mark Mifsud B Ed (Hons), MSc, PhD, CBiol, CEnv, Csci
Centre for Environmental Education and Research
University of Malta
E-mail: mark.c.mifsud@um.edu.mt
and/ or
Paul Pace B.Ed (Hons), MEd, PhD
Centre for Environmental Education and Research
University of Malta
E-mail: paul.j.pace@um.edu.mt
All questions related to abstract and the book should be sent to:
Mark Mifsud B Ed (Hons), MSc, PhD., CBiol, CEnv, CSci
E-mail: mark.c.mifsud@um.edu.mt
Paul Pace B.Ed (Hons), MEd, PhD
E-mail: paul.j.pace@um.edu.mt
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CONFERENCEADMINISTRATIONANDCONTACTPOINTFORFURTHER
DETAILS
All questions related to options for accommodation and local details should be sent to:
Ms. Lucienne Bugeja,
Logistics & Events Co-Ordination, University of Malta
Email:
lucienne.m.bugeja@um.edu.mt
Ms. Ruth Agius,
Centre for Environmental Education and Research, University of Malta.
E-mail: ruth.agius@um.edu.mt
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HOWTOSUBMITANABSTRACT
An abstract should be up to 200 words, it should describe the rationale and aims of the paper,
and some of its results. General descriptions of broad contexts should be avoided. The full
contact details about the author(s) need to be provided. Abstracts should be written in the third
person and not in the first or second one (e.g. I, me, or my paper). Please see below a sample
abstract. Authors whose abstracts have been accepted, will receive further details about how
to submit their full papers, and further logistical information.
SAMPLE ABSTRACT
(PLEASE SEND YOUR ABSTRACT EXACTLY WITH THE FORMAT BELOW TO
PROFESSOR LEAL AT: info@iccip.net)
Towards Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development: the need to address
inequalities
Walter Leal (BSc, PhD, DSc, DPhil, DEd, DLitt, FSB, FRGS, FLS)
School of Science and the Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University
Chester Street
Manchester, M1 5GD
United Kingdom
E-mail: info@iccip.net
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that there is a perceived need for effective approaches to lifelong
learning for sustainable development. Even though much progress has been reached in
expanding access to lifelong learning in a formal and non-formal context, significant
inequalities between countries exist in respect of access, support, educational attainment and
evaluation. This paper presents an analysis of the most commonly found inequalities, and
examines their meaning and their implications. Some concrete measures based on real
international experiences, which may be adopted in order to reduce such inequalities are
outlined. The experiences gathered in this paper will be useful to people and organisations
interested in fostering lifelong learning for sustainable development and in expanding access
to it.
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