The role of University Lifelong Learning in empowering volunteers: findings

from a European-wide project

Nick OckendenInstitute for Volunteering Research

27th October 2011, Amsterdam

The role of University Lifelong Learning in empowering volunteers: findings

from a European-wide project

Nick OckendenInstitute for Volunteering Research

27th October 2011, Amsterdam

Introduction

• The VALUE project• Interaction between ULLL and volunteering• Three models of interaction across Europe• Factors affecting the level of interaction• The impact of service learning• Some implications for service learning

Introduction

• The VALUE project• Interaction between ULLL and volunteering• Three models of interaction across Europe• Factors affecting the level of interaction• The impact of service learning• Some implications for service learning

The VALUE project• Aim: to facilitate and stimulate the development of

cooperation between universities and the volunteering sector in the delivery of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) to volunteers/volunteering organisation staff

• Funded by the Grundtvig Agency

• October 2008 – December 2011

The VALUE project• Aim: to facilitate and stimulate the development of

cooperation between universities and the volunteering sector in the delivery of University Lifelong Learning (ULLL) to volunteers/volunteering organisation staff

• Funded by the Grundtvig Agency

• October 2008 – December 2011

Project activities• Meetings, networking and sharing good practice

• Development of a resource base (website)

• Research

– National Reports

– Sub group activity

• Final conference in Ankara (June 2011)

Project activities• Meetings, networking and sharing good practice

• Development of a resource base (website)

• Research

– National Reports

– Sub group activity

• Final conference in Ankara (June 2011)

ULLL and volunteering interaction

• Student volunteering, placements and internships• Placement of student volunteers• Accreditation of volunteers by universities• Joint research projects• Training by universities to volunteers and volunteer

managers• Courses / lectures about the voluntary sector and

volunteering

ULLL and volunteering interaction

• Student volunteering, placements and internships• Placement of student volunteers• Accreditation of volunteers by universities• Joint research projects• Training by universities to volunteers and volunteer

managers• Courses / lectures about the voluntary sector and

volunteering

Making sense of the diversity across Europe

• Varies enormously across Europe

• Findings based on National Reports from 13 countries

• Discusses the level of interaction between ULLL and volunteering organisations

• Presents some working models to describe different interactions

Making sense of the diversity across Europe

• Varies enormously across Europe

• Findings based on National Reports from 13 countries

• Discusses the level of interaction between ULLL and volunteering organisations

• Presents some working models to describe different interactions

A lot of interaction Very little interaction

A lot of interaction• Spain, UK, Netherlands, Germany

– Accreditation and training for volunteers

– Courses and modules on volunteering– Widespread student volunteering in addition

• Case study:– University of Duisburg-Essen and UNIAKTIV

A lot of interaction• Spain, UK, Netherlands, Germany

– Accreditation and training for volunteers

– Courses and modules on volunteering– Widespread student volunteering in addition

• Case study:– University of Duisburg-Essen and UNIAKTIV

Some interaction• Austria, Italy, Slovakia

– Mainly focused on student volunteering– Training– Courses on voluntary sector management

• Case study:– Prešov University and the Prešov Volunteer Centre

Some interaction• Austria, Italy, Slovakia

– Mainly focused on student volunteering– Training– Courses on voluntary sector management

• Case study:– Prešov University and the Prešov Volunteer Centre

More limited interaction• Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Turkey, Romania

– Interaction confined to student volunteering– Some courses open to volunteers

• Case study:– Middle East Technical University and ILKYAR

More limited interaction• Poland, Slovenia, Hungary, Turkey, Romania

– Interaction confined to student volunteering– Some courses open to volunteers

• Case study:– Middle East Technical University and ILKYAR

Factors affecting the level of interaction• Popularity of volunteering

– Extent of government support (i.e. legislation)– Historical and cultural factors

• Extent to which the link between volunteering and learning is appreciated and understood

• Enthusiasm and interest of individuals within universities

• Extent of mutual awareness (between universities and volunteering organisations)

• Level of funding available

Factors affecting the level of interaction• Popularity of volunteering

– Extent of government support (i.e. legislation)– Historical and cultural factors

• Extent to which the link between volunteering and learning is appreciated and understood

• Enthusiasm and interest of individuals within universities

• Extent of mutual awareness (between universities and volunteering organisations)

• Level of funding available

The impact of service learning• Educational

– Developing students as ‘good citizens’– Gaining skills– Gaining course credits– Professional training

• Societal– Developing students as ‘good citizens’– Raising the profile of volunteering in society– Supporting people and organisations in need

The impact of service learning• Educational

– Developing students as ‘good citizens’– Gaining skills– Gaining course credits– Professional training

• Societal– Developing students as ‘good citizens’– Raising the profile of volunteering in society– Supporting people and organisations in need

Implications for service learning

• Compulsion and freewill – What does this mean for the definition of volunteering?

• Balancing community need and the needs of students– What are the resource implications for volunteering

organisations?

• Service learning as a means to embed a culture of partnership between universities and volunteering organisations

Implications for service learning

• Compulsion and freewill – What does this mean for the definition of volunteering?

• Balancing community need and the needs of students– What are the resource implications for volunteering

organisations?

• Service learning as a means to embed a culture of partnership between universities and volunteering organisations

Thank you

www.valuenetwork.org.uk

www.ivr.org.uk

Thank you

www.valuenetwork.org.uk

www.ivr.org.uk