Combining Lifelong Learning with Civic Engagement

ABSTRACT

What role can and should the university play in enhancing the civic engagement of the fifty-plus population? The interest on the part of this population in lifelong learning has already been demonstrated to be a priority. There is also a growing movement for increasing the engagement of universities with their local communities, including expanded service-learning opportunities for college students and faculty. Can universities build upon these two areas of growth to create a format that will assist in the recruitment and retention of older volunteers? The University of Maryland has been testing variations of a model that combines lifelong learning, leadership development, and civic engagement in both the United States and Europe. A version of this civic engagement model is presented as a replicable model that can pioneer new methods of civic engagement both for older adults and for universities.

Key Words:

• Lifelong learning
• civic engagement
• volunteer service
• service leadership