41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
EUCEN is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with the very special theme of human rights,
focusing on the role of higher education in promoting the right to education for all and making
it a reality. EUCEN has invited representatives from UNESCO, the European Commission and
other international institutions to lead discussions at the conference.
Within the overarching theme of Education as a right – LLL for all!, the conference will address
the following topics:
TOPIC 1.
TOPIC 2.
TOPIC 3.
TOPIC 4.
European targets for widening participation for minorities
The role of European Universities in the developing World
Supporting university staff in conflict zones
Volunteering as a path to education
The objectives of the conference are to:




Provide participants with the opportunity to explore different themes in more detail
Share best practice
Reflect on their own and their institutions’ activities in different areas
Prepare and discuss recommendations on policy and practice for European
universities, EC, UNESCO and other relevant organisations at national, European or
international level
We welcome contributions that are related to one of the four topics listed above. These could
be in the form of a case study, results of research and/or development projects or a critical
analysis and reflection on the theme. There will be 20 minutes slots available at the
conference and this should take the form of a short presentation.
We also offer our members the opportunity to organise poster exhibits on one of the themes
of the conference. The poster sessions will run in parallel with the workshops.
Please, read the following pages for details on each of the topics.
We look forward to receiving your Contributions!
1
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
TOPIC 1: European targets for widening participation for minorities
In the workshops of Topic 1, we will tackle a certain number of issues dealing with the
following areas:
A) The meaning of supporting and promoting positive intercultural relations between minority
and majority communities.
B) The limits of a European intercultural project based upon the contribution and participation
of all communities.
C) The promotion of tangible projects on community development.
D) The motivations of European corporations to support a new diversity management: are
companies prepared to take the necessary steps that would lead to a genuine overhaul of
their corporate culture and improve race and gender relations at work?
While answering the questions listed above we will try to analyze the role of European
universities in the promotion, development and implementation of policies on diversity.
TOPIC 2: The role of European Universities in the developing World
European Universities and those in developing countries have established academic
partnerships for decades now. However, we need to address more carefully the role of
European Universities to improve higher education and University lifelong learning (ULLL) in
the developing world in order to understand the advancement of human rights, such as the
right to education and its role in the strengthening fundamental freedoms. In doing so we
must also document and explain the context in which European University cooperation with
developing countries has been built. Europe has established relationships with the developing
world mainly through development and international cooperation with a minimum impact on
higher education so far. Thus colonial ties between some European countries and the
developing World have been notorious, being European languages (French, English,
Portuguese; even, Spanish) official in most developing countries of Africa, Latin America or
Asia.
The current context of higher education in Europe allows for renewed and improved
partnerships between universities to work towards education and, generally, human rights by
European Universities in the developing world. In this session we shall address this current
situation on both sides by offering global perspectives, providing specific and detailed cases,
sharing best practices, reflecting upon distinctive institutional experiences, or making
recommendations on policy for organizations at the national and/or the international level.
Contributions to Workshop or Poster sessions may offer the following (or combinations of
them): case studies, research results (whether final or work-in-progress), surveys or
comparative analyses, and/or critical reviews reflecting upon the already mentioned issues.
2
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
Suggested focuses of abstracts and/or paper are the following:
 What has characterised the partnerships between European Universities and
developing higher education institutions historically? Discussion of specific cases is
encouraged.
 How have European Universities contributed to improve higher education and
University lifelong learning (ULLL) in different settings of the developing world?
Discussion of distinct experiences and/or regional comparison is most desirable.
 Which obstacles, barriers and/or challenges are to be considered regarding the
advancement of human rights and the right to education in particular countries, and
the specific role of European Universities in those?
 Which good practices, lessons to learn and/or success stories are we to find in this
regard? What models, if so, are to rescue behind those experiences?
 Who are the beneficiaries of these programs and how can cooperation be extended
further? Are University curricula, as well as skills and knowledge provided, sufficiently
adapted to developing countries realities and to the demands of their specific labour
markets?
 To what extent can we think of renewed and improved partnerships between
universities on both sides? In which terms? Again, discussion of particular cases is
encouraged.
TOPIC 3: Supporting university staff in conflict zones
There can be found a lot of mutual relationships, forms of collaboration and joint efforts between
university staff from European Universities and those in developing countries or otherwise outside
Europe. Sometimes these may be established academic partnerships some may just be temporary links
in projects or other programs. As in many regions universities, academic work and university staff are
suffering from crises and conflicts, however, we need to address more carefully specific needs,
conditions, sources, patterns and frameworks to support colleagues, consortia and networks under
such circumstances. This is not only meant to help colleagues and partners; it is about caring for basic
conditions of international collaboration and networking in ULLL throughout the world we are living
and working.
Still the issue may not be sufficiently or well treated through declarations or additional money (if
feasible at the end). Very often mere communication has to be kept alive, meeting should be possible
over time or access to necessary information and technology may be in danger. The agenda thus may
not only include scientific or research topics but also moving targets, infrastructure, adjustments,
reorientation, breaking links, safety and diplomacy. How to survive and how to be successful in times
of crisis and conflict may become a core topic of University lifelong learning.
Suggested focus of abstracts and/or papers in slots 1 and 2 may address the following issues:





Which kind of experience do we have in supporting university staff in conflict zones/times?
Which frameworks and relationships can support/sustain collaboration?
What does university staff/what do colleagues in ULLL really need in conflict zones/times?
To what extent can what kind of policy and diplomacy, which kind of networking and
collaboration links offer support needed in conflict and/or crisis?
Which professional, social and /or cultural approaches seem to be appropriate in supporting
university staff in ULLL in conflict zones?
3
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011



Do we find good practice and success stories in this area?
Are there interesting new approaches or projects to be presented and learnt from?
Are there any certain lessons to learn?
Slot C in this strand will be used for a workshop to reflect the previous presentations and discussions
and aiming at the conceptualisation of strategic and practical proposals to improve and to increase
supporting university staff in conflict zones and times – going beyond Europe in different approaches.
TOPIC 4: Volunteering as a path to education
Universities can often be perceived as exclusive institutions that do not always fully engage
their communities. Some people may find that they do not suit academic learning, can feel
that universities are inaccessible or may have been socially excluded from formal education in
the past. ULLL, however, can provide opportunities for such people and can appeal to a more
diverse group of people. It can provide a ‘second chance’ education and can help make
education more socially inclusive. Universities in Europe are actively pursuing this agenda - as
demonstrated in the Universities’ Charter on Lifelong Learning. Universities are aware that
they need to embrace a wider and more diversified student base.
Volunteering has a central part to play in this. ULLL is increasingly linking with volunteers and
organisations that involve volunteers. This can be through teaching partnerships, lectures,
accreditation and training for volunteers. In turn, the volunteers gain new skills and
qualifications, increase their confidence and self-esteem, and make new contacts.
Further benefits of linking ULLL and volunteering include: helping people learn about
citizenship; improving someone’s employability in the job market; developing intercultural
dialogue and fostering links between different communities; and providing opportunities for
older people to be actively involved in education rather than risk being excluded from society.
Suggested focus of abstracts – papers in slots 1 and 2 should address some of the following
questions:
 To what extent can linking University Lifelong Learning and volunteering help counter
the idea that universities are exclusive institutions?
 Who benefits and how from linking University Lifelong Learning and volunteering?
 What barriers to greater cooperation between University Lifelong Learning and
volunteering need to be addressed?
 How can universities best respond to the rich learning that arises from the volunteering
experience?
 Is there a sufficient match between skills and knowledge being developed by volunteers
and University curricula?
 What type of awards or courses are most appropriate for volunteers?
 What sort of models might be appropriate for University-Volunteering interaction centralised / devolved?
Slot C in this strand will be a focused discussion/workshop reflecting on the themes brought
out in the earlier 2 slots and also referencing the work of the VALUE project.
4
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
GUIDELINES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
We will only accept proposals:




with a maximum length of 1 page for posters and 2 pages for workshop sessions
submitted using the Request Form attached to this document
submitted by email to carme.royo@eucen.org
received by 18 February 2011 at the above email address
Workshop abstract: should provide the objectives for the participants, a brief description of
what will be done in the workshop, and a list of the equipment or other facilities needed. It
should clearly identify if the workshop is based on:
 A Case study
 Results of research and/or development projects
 Critical analysis / reflection on the theme
Poster sessions: Posters and leaflets of projects addressing the theme of the conference are
welcome. Each poster should include the title of the project in large letters and the institution
where the work was completed. We suggest that materials to be easily read at a distance of
1½ meters.
The abstract of the project related to the poster should be submitted separately and we
suggest that printed copies and handouts are made available for distribution to visitors.
Project presentations should be kept brief and identify the questions underlying the project
and how the project aims to answer them.
All proposals will undergo a peer review process and a reply will be sent by 15 March 2011
confirming the acceptance/non acceptance of the proposal. All the accepted full papers will
be published in the conference proceedings.
At least one author of each accepted paper/poster is required to register to the conference to
chair the workshop and/or to be at an assigned space to answer questions during the poster
session. Unfortunately we are not in a position to give any special discounts on the
registration fee or other expenses.
Stages of selection:
Stage 1:
deadline for acceptance of contribution forms: Friday 18 February 2011
Stage 2:
EUCEN will announce the decision to accepted participants on Tuesday 15 March
2011. IMPORTANT: The best contributions sent will be given the opportunity to
submit a paper which will be included in the conference proceedings.
Stage 3:
deadline for submission of requested papers: Friday 06 May 2011
5
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
Workshop Session - Maximum length: 2 pages.
Name SURNAME
Institution
Telephone
Fax
Email
Please select the topic, only one choice:
 European targets for widening participation for minorities
 The role of European Universities in the developing World
 Supporting university staff in conflict zones
 Volunteering as a path to education
Please select the type of contribution, only one choice :
 Case study
 Research results
 Survey or comparison analysis
 Critical analysis / reflection
Title of your paper:
Objectives of your presentation:
Questions addressed within the topic:
Summary of content (max 600 words):
Questions for discussion during Slot C in your strand:
Send your filled in form only to carme.royo@euce.org by 18 February 2011.
6
41st EUCEN European Conference
Education as a Right – LLL for all!
University of Granada. 25-27 May 2011
Poster Session - Maximum length: 1 page.
Name SURNAME
Institution
Telephone
Fax
Email
Please select the topic, only one choice:
 European targets for widening participation for minorities
 The role of European Universities in the developing World
 Supporting university staff in conflict zones
 Volunteering as a path to education
Please select the type of contribution, only one choice :
 Case study
 Research results
 Survey or comparison analysis
 Critical analysis / reflection
Title of your poster:
Objectives of your poster:
Questions addressed within the topic:
Summary of content (max 150 words):
Send your filled in form only to carme.royo@euce.org by 18 February 2011.
7