1. 2012 EUROPEAN YEAR FOR ACTIVE AGEING AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN GENERATIONS

2. The year is intended to: raise awareness of the contribution that older people make to society; encourage policymakers and relevant stakeholders at all levels to take action with the aim of creating better opportunities for active ageing and strengthening solidarity between generations. Active ageing as a term was introduced (2002) by the European Comission. This concept evokes the idea of longer activity, with a higher retirement age and working practices adapted to the age of the employee.

3. What is active aging? Active ageing means growing old in good health; as a full member of society; feeling more fulfilled in our jobs; more independent in our daily lives and more involved as citizens.

4. The European Year 2012 seeks to promote active ageing in three areas: Employment – as life expectancy increases across Europe, pension ages are rising, but many fear that they will not be able to stay in their current jobs or to find another job until they can retire on a decent pension. Participation in society – retiring from one's job does not mean becoming idle. The contribution of older people to society as carers for others, typically their own parents or spouses and their grandchildren is often overlooked and so is their role as volunteers. We must give older workers better chances in the labour market. We must ensure greater recognition of what older people bring to society and create more supportive conditions for them.

5. Independent living – our health declines as we grow old, but a lot can be done to cope with this decline. And quite small changes in our environment can make a big difference to people suffering from various health impairments and disabilities. The European Year 2012 seeks to promote active ageing in three areas: Active ageing also means empowering us as we age so that we can remain in charge of our own lives as long as possible.

6. OUR ANSWER TO THIS CHALLENGE IS THE GRUNDTVIG PROJECT ACTIVE AGEING LEARNING COMMUNITY DURATION: 2012 - 2014

7. WHO ARE WE

8. WHOM DO WE ADDRESS

9. WHAT ARE OUR MAIN OBJECTIVES to develop an Active Ageing Learning Community where 60+ will learn how to age actively in terms of their health, physical and cognitive ability, social communication and intergenerational solidarity, and will be supported by 16-35 age group both in learning and practice; to develop learning modules in Health Self-Management, ICT for Social Networking and Intergenerational Volunteering; to use ICT for learning purposes and to practise ICT skills for social inclusion and personal fulfillment; to introduce an intergenerational approach to active ageing learning;

10. WHAT ARE OUR MAIN OBJECTIVES to raise awareness of young and old generations about active ageing and its benefits; to strengthen the cooperation of training providers, regional development agencies, seniors' organizations and decision makers in relation to active ageing learning and practising; to transfer knowledge and experience in active ageing across Europe.

11. WHAT ARE OUR MAIN PRODUCTS Active Ageing Learning Community based on the intergenerational approach and blended-learning method, and including: Internet-based learning platform User guide Study programmes and learning materials in Health Self-Management (printed and on-line); ICT for Social Networking (printed and on-line); Intergenerational Volunteering (printed and on-line). Blogs

12. IMPACT ON THE DIRECT TARGET GROUPS raised motivation, self-esteem and activity; acquired competence to live independently and actively throughout their whole lives by managing their health and physical fitness, by using ICT for social inclusion, and by volunteering based on intergenerational solidarity; higher activity in the family, community, society and employment for a longer period; better quality of life and reduced burden on relatives and governments.

13. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot beheld responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. With the support of the Lifelong Learning Programme of the European Union