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History of Founding the European Network Learning in Later Life - LiLL

In December 1995 the foundation was laid for the European Network; "Learning in Later Life", a network of Universities of the third age and other organisations from 15 different countries in Europe that offer academically-oriented continuing education for older adults. This event was a direct result of the European Conference "Competence and Productivity in the Third Age" that took place in Ulm in February 1995.
Read about the European Conference

Founding Meetings in October and December 1995

On 7th October 1995, 32 scientists/researchers and professionals from the field of academic continuing education for older people in East and West European countries met at Ulm University to discuss the realization of the European Network. The meeting served to define and to develop ideas, to clarify different points of view and to explore the goals of the planned network and the various expectations and attitudes towards it. This meeting was financed by the European Commission. Mr. McInerney the DG V gave in his talk an indication that money from the EU might be available for such an undertaking. With the support of the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth in Bonn another expert meeting was held at Ulm University from 14th to 16th of December 1995, with the object being the founding of the Network. Present were 50 experts from East and West European countries, all active in the field of academic continuing education for older people. In this meeting, ideas about the founding of the network were developed further in lectures and workshops and concrete tasks for the network were identified.
It was unanimously decided by those present that the conference, that the network should be called European Network Learning in Later Life at Universities and Universities of the Third Age.

Objectives

1. Provision of information regarding the importance and possibilities of academic-oriented continuing education for older people in Europe for organisations, institutions and senior students.
2. Exchange and cooperation of heads of institutions and experts in the field of academic-oriented continuing education in Europe concerning curricula and methods in oder to foster good practice and to conduct joint programs and actions for senior students.
3. Creation of possibilities for making information available to older people who want to inform themselves about continuing education opportunities in Europe that fit their own requirements and make contact to other like-minded people.

It was unanimously agreed that ZAWiW, University of Ulm, should be appointed co-ordinator of the Network. As the first important steps towards the realization of these aims it was decided to create 1. European data-information-system Learning in Later Life (LiLL) 2. European Bulletin, "Learning in Later Life" The required funding was to be applied for at the European Commission. ZAWiW, together with its European partner-organisations and the Computing Department of the University of Ulm, were entrusted to submit the application to the European Commission. The application was successful and the European Commission had provided funds from its Socrates program for the period 1997 to 2000 in which the online project platform was built and the network developed its activities.