This conference will provide a venue for the discussion of issues emerging from current initiatives and needs in local and regional socio-economic development, and opportunities to view these issues in light of international research, practice and implementation. The focus will be on better defining the roles that lifelong and lifewide learning can play in meeting local and regional socio-economic development goals, and the role that Lakehead University’s Department of Lifelong Learning in the Faculty Education and Confederation College may play in achieving these goals.

Invited keynote speakers and presenters will provide new dimensions to our understanding of the evolving agendas for changing futures and transitions in lifelong learning. Different perspectives and models, and their related educational and policy implications, will be highlighted, along with the unique connections between lifelong learning, social capital and regional development. Participants will explore concepts and trends in lifelong learning related to their specific areas of interest, and will have opportunities to learn more about international perspectives in the field.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This international conference is open to anyone interested in lifelong learning and community development. The conference is of particular interest and value to regional and local organizations with responsibilities and interests in leveraging learning for economic and social development. Leaders of community development, academic researchers, human resource and staff development professionals, youth workers and family literacy managers, directors of learning, chief executives, teachers, school principals and college/university presidents, business educators, public policy makers, managers of public and private organizations, local, regional and international partners working in lifelong and social capital fields, and education consultants are all welcome to:

• Share successes with academics, practitioners and policy makers worldwide
• Experience how to create constructive learning partnerships at local, regional, national and international levels
• Demonstrate the value of public and private partnerships working with academic institutions
• Network with people involved in learning cities and regions and learn how social capital and lifelong learning can be utilized in building strong and sustainable communities
• Analyse the challenges of changing demographics
• Disseminate applied research findings to end users
• Demonstrate community partnership networks for social change