Creativity, Lifelong Learning and the Ageing Population

3rd International Conference of the LEM Project. Under the theme "Creativity, Lifelong Learning and the Ageing Population" to be held on October 11, 2012 in Östersund, Sweden. Parallel event: first meeting of the new EARLALL (European Association of Regional and Local Authorities on Lifelong Learning) work group on Lifelong Learning and the Ageing Population, coordinated by NCK on behalf of the Jämtland Region.
NCK, The Nordic Centre of Heritage Learning - LEM Partner and coordinator of the Working Group ‘Museums and the Ageing Population’- will host the third LEM international conference in Östersund, Sweden on October 11 2012, with the theme ‘Creativity, Lifelong Learning and the Ageing Population’. The conference is taking place in conjunction with the General Assembly of the European Association of Regional and Local Authorities for Lifelong Learning (EARLALL), a group of 23 regional and local authorities aiming to influence European policy and to co-operate in projects in the field of lifelong learning. The conference will therefore bring together museum professionals, stakeholders, regional politicians and policy makers of the EARLALL group, in order to add a new perspective to the subject of older people and museums addressed by the LEM project and contribute to its sustainability.
NCK participates in EARLALL through the Region of Jämtland. With the support of NCK, the Region of Jämtland will propose to introduce a new work group on the ageing population in EARLALL. A formal proposal will be put forward to the board of EARLALL and a decision will be taken during the general assembly in Östersund in October.
Draft programme of the LEM Conference.
EARLALL work group proposal
Lifelong Learning and the Ageing Population
Background
2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. It is well known that the part of the population in Europe who has reached normal retirement age will become a rapidly growing proportion of the total population during the next decades. The challenge to Europe, the member states and to regions is enormous and is getting increasing attention.
The learning and education perspective is central to both well being and social economics when we address the issue of an ageing population. From OECD we know that while the OECD average percentage of tertiary educated in the age group 55-64 is about 20 the same percentage in the group of 25-34 year olds is about 40%. This is a good indicator for illustrating that the demands from the elderly generation will change dramatically in the coming years. At the same time people in general gets older and society needs to find ways to stimulate people to stay in the work force longer and at the same time employers as well as elderly employees needs to be stimulated towards investing time and money in competence development.
The role of regional leadership in these processes is greater than so far realized and the need for a broader holistic thinking about learning is necessary when addressing needs and resources in ageing.
EU perspective
The European Commission adopted on 29 April 2009 a Communication on the impact of an ageing population in the EU. It was accompanied by the 2009 Ageing Report which provides age-related expenditure projections on the basis of the population projections by Eurostat AGE Platform Europe has collected a number of good practice examples of initiatives to promote improved solidarity between generations. It also provides numerous links to information sources and ideas around intergenerational solidarity, including documents from the EY2012 coalition.
The European demographic landscape is far from homogenous and that goes for the issue of ageing population too. Not only do we see major difference between member states such as Germany and Italy in the one end and Poland and The Netherlands in the other end. Comparing regions makes the image even further complex.
Within the European policy structure the issue of ageing population is relevant in several areas such as social cohesion, immigration, regional development, lifelong learning and culture. The challenge of bringing these diverse policy areas together for tackling the challenge and exploit the potential of an ageing population is imminent and the central role as policy broker for lifelong learning thinking in the area is still to be developed.
Regional perspective
The Committee of the Regions (CoR) adopted an opinion on the above-mentioned European Commission’s 2009 Communication on Dealing with the Impact of an Ageing Population in the EU. It provides recommendations, including advocating an area-specific approach to dealing with ageing populations and highlighting the value of trans-regional and interregional schemes.
The CoR has also carried out a study entitled “Active ageing: local and regional solutions”. The final report sets out the main trends in demographic changes and the solutions adopted with respect to five main policy areas: employment; access to social services; mobility and accessibility of transport; adapted housing; and social inclusion. The major differences between member states and between regions within the countries makes it necessary for regions which are already facing the age challenge to come find or develop solutions which are attractive on the political level as well as the professional, social and individual level.
The role played by or the potential for lifelong learning in active ageing has as for many other lifelong learning issues to find its solutions on regional level close to the citizens.