Enphe lifelong learning focus group final report : towards a lifelong learning culture

Abstract

This report has been prepared for the 2012 Enphe Conference held in Vienna and concludes the work carried out for the past three years (2009 – 2012) by the Lifelong Learning Focus Group. Throughout these three years, we have met as educators of physiotherapy, between us and also with the participation of the students, at a number of conferences and working meetings to discuss and investigate the significance of the Lifelong Learning strategies as they apply for physiotherapy education. This conference is taking place at a time when the European Region of the WCPT is organising the 3rd European Congress on Physiotherapy Education and hence the outcome of this report, in my opinion, has a greater significance since it is directly related with education. It is thus a timely moment to reflect upon the input that we are providing as physiotherapy educators within the greater dimension and philosophies of learning. As this report shows, Lifelong Learning is a new old concept that needs to be understood properly by all participants in the learning process: the students, the teachers and the administrators. And especially since the concept of lifelong learning is embedded in the Bologna Process, it is important that we converge towards a similar understanding on the meaning of lifelong learning. This report delivers a clear description on lifelong learning for the members of the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education and sets out a list of indicators that were agreed upon between the members that should serve to kick start a lifelong learning strategy. [Foreword by Dr John Xerri de Caro Lifelong Learning Focus Group Leader]