On 25 May 2012, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and the University of Hamburg (UHH) co-organised a public seminar addressing the “Role of Universities in Promoting Lifelong Learning”. The event was held in the context of UIL’s 60th anniversary (for more information on the anniversary celebrations see here).

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A variety of distinguished researchers presented a picture of how universities are opening up to learners from different age groups and socio-economic backgrounds while ensuring high progression and retention rates. The seminar also highlighted the responsibility of the universities to support sustainable socio-economic development and serve labour market needs in the local communities where they are situated. Flexible pedagogical and didactic approaches were emphasised as particularly important for enabling university students to learn ”at any time, in any way and in any place”.

The proceedings of the seminar are featured below. They provide an introduction to the topic, key discussion points and a set of conclusions. 

Drawing inspiration from this public event, UIL intends to organise a second seminar in late 2012 to deepen discussions on the role of higher education in lifelong learning in close cooperation with the University of Hamburg and the Ministry of Education of China.