The Elephant Learning in Diversity bv Learning in Later Life European Approaches and Issues

Where are we going? 1.Introduction 2.New in Grundtvig 3.Model of ageing 4.What did we won 5.Granny goes wild 6.EU policy and practice 7.Selection of good practice 8.Focus in detail 9.Grundtvig in LLL 10.Extra value? 11.Low qualifications 12.Senior Expertise 13.Low participation 14.The 1st paradox 15.The real issues 16.The real differences 17.Intergenerational 3x 18.The last paradox

Introduction 1978 – 1990 trainer pre- retirement education; training senior volunteers EEN Re-integration older workers Expert in Russia EAEA board; trends & issues PEFETE- network Grundtvig Working Group

New in the EU Lifelong Learning Programme: Grundtvig Senior Volunteering Projects Senior citizens volunteering in another European country (learning / sharing knowledge). Cooperation between the host and sending organisations around a specific topic or target group Local communities involved in the exchange of (senior) volunteers.

Empowerment model Model of ageing The elderly seen as potential of senior citizens as a source of knowledge, competence and experience. Competence model Deficit model Dependency model Activating model

The Elephant Learning in Diversity bv What did we won and what did we lost?

For those who just can't get excited about bland YouTube videos anymore, here's what you've been waiting for – Pole Dancing Granny. The newest storm to hit the internet is Granny Goes Wild and asks the pertinent question "ever wonder what happens to those who love to dance, but get too old to stand up on their own?" Granny Goes Wild

EU policy and practice Lissabon agreement, 2001/2002 AE Trends and Issues in Europe, 2006 It is never too late to learn, 2006 It is always a good time to learn, 2007 Selection of examples of good practices: projects supported by Grundtvig The list is not exhausitve go

Selection of good practices Travel & exchange 3x Active citizenship 3x Recognition of voluntary work 1x Training volunteers as mentor 1x Training seniors as assistant in IT 2x Volunteers in education for the old and dementia suffering 1x Training in political and communcation skills 1x; empowerment 1x

Focus in detail 50% age group in employment by 2010; an average retirement age of 64 by 2010 Focusing investment on enabling older people to update their skills Finding ways for employers to meet the needs of older workers Changing the view among employers that early retirement is a good way of downsizing Reviewing tax and benefit systems and encouraging people to work on rather than retire. back

Study on terminology Adult Education Adult Learning Formal learning Non-formal learning Informal learning Everyday learning, Experiential learning Education Providers Learners

Lifelong Learning Programme But adult learning is more than Grundtvig = Leonardo + Grundtvig! And in Leonardo (vocational training) older workers rarely are a target group And Erasmus & Leonardo got 60% of the EU budget for LLL and Grundtvig only 15%

The Elephant Learning in Diversity bv What is the extra value of the LLL-programme?

In many countries more than 20% of year- olds lack an upper secondary qualification, in 17 countries more than 40%. Low qualifications

Senior Expertise From a certain age qualification is not longer interesting - A senior has expertise based on experiences And (s)he should not have to prove him/herself (S)he only has to show and explain how the learning processes have gone….

Low participation rate in AE Figures for legitimation Figures to show that further investment is needed

The first paradox More attention in policy, Less scope in practice Les attention in policy, More opportunities in practice

Europe is complex diversity Several educational landscapes in Europe – different learning cultures Different (national) priorities Wide variety in tempo of changes Differences in financial and material resources Differences in governemental support Different ministries involved

The real issues Ageing workforceActive citizenship and selfreliability Digital competences Intergenerational and intercultural communication

The real dfifferences Northern Europe - role of the state East Europe: - no tradition of active citizenship West- Europe Ageing workforce South Europe: Strong familybased

Three approaches of intergenerational work Society based on solidarity between generations More generation society Society of all ages

The last paradox Focus on intercultural learning and intergenerational learning The learning self should be intercultural and intergenerational

The Elephant Learning in Diversity bv Where do we go from here?