Organisers
The conference is jointly organised by the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Geneva and the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN).
EUCEN – European University Continuing Education Network – is the largest European multidisciplinary association in University Lifelong Learning. It is registered in Belgium as an international non-governmental non-profit making organisation and has 212 members from 40 different countries.
Aims and Objectives
- 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;
- Foster universities' influence in the development of lifelong learning knowledge and policies throughout Europe.
EUCEN fulfils the above objectives through:
- providing a forum for the development, interchange and dissemination of innovation and good practice on lifelong learning within within the framework of European higher education;
- encouraging high standards in all areas of lifelong learning and harmonising levels of quality for lifelong learning among its members;
- representing the interests of the lifelong learning community within higher education and to European policymakers;
- facilitating communication, liaison and collaboration with other appropriate bodies and organisations;
- promoting and conducting research into the field of lifelong learning and disseminating the results of this research;
Founded in 1559 by Jean Calvin, the University of Geneva pursues three missions : education, research, and knowledge-sharing.
Composed of eight faculties, – Science, Medicine, Arts, Social Sciences and Economics, Law, Theology, Psychology and Educational Sciences, and Translation and Interpretation –, the University of Geneva also boasts several interfaculty centres. The University of Geneva has always encouraged interdisciplinarity. In this respect, it provides courses in various fields, and fosters crossed research. It is the second largest university in Switzerland.
Located at the heart of international Geneva, the University of Geneva has woven a vast network with International and non-governmental organisations. These connections facilitate collaborations between scientists and researchers, including from the CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research), the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), and the WMO (World Meteorological Organisation).
The University of Geneva is ranked 69th best university in the world (Shanghai ranking), and is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU). It also hosts six national research centres, and is proud to count amongst its faculty a recipient of the Fields Medal, which is the equivalent of the Nobel prize in Mathematics.
Since 1991, the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Geneva develops a Lifelong Learning policy. It is a member of Swissuni, the Swiss University Continuing Education Association.
Its mission
Receive and process the requests of institutions, companies and professional associations
Advise and assist directors and employees in the creation of programmes
Conduct research to remain abreast of new needs and requirements in the area of university-level continuing education
Distribute information and promote offerings related to continuing education
Ensure the quality of the course programmes offered
Participate in Swiss and European networks involved in continuing education research and activities
Support the development and use of ICT
Target audience
Our programmes are targeted for professionals. They incorporate the latest advances in academic research. They allow participants to update and finetune their knowledge, acquire new skills or distinguish themselves in new careers.
Quality criteria
The programmes follow quality criteria such as
Flexible timing
In partnership with professionnals
Based on scientific research
Combining theory and practice
Centred on competence development
Leading to University qualifications
Recognised by the labour market
