The fifth conference of the workshop series “International Dialogue on Education – Berlin” took place on October 19, 2009 at the Canadian Embassy, Berlin. Under the heading “Exploring Difference: Integrating Lifelong Learning into Universities’ Missions”, experts from Australia, Canada, USA and United Kingdom talked about successful models of “Lifelong Learning” and new developments in their countries. The discussion focused on questions such as basic institutional requirements that enable the integration of lifelong learning at universities, or on how to find a balance between the universities' focus on supply and a demand led market. Furthermore, the conference looked at the societal and educational prerequisites that allow lifelong learning to thrive in the higher education landscape. Speaker for the U.S. was Sherryl D. Weems, Associate Vice Provost, Continuing and Executive Director, Educational Opportunity Center, at the University at Buffalo.

The workshop series International Dialogue on Education Berlin is a joint initiative of the British Council Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service, the German-American Fulbright Commission, the Australian Group of Eight and the Canadian Bureau for International Education in Berlin. Through the contributions of international participants the series aims to enrich the debate on science, research and higher education policy in Germany, to place German perspectives in a global context and to learn from positive examples from other countries.

Conference results and further information on the next event can be found at http://www.daad.de/ID-E_Berlin/.