Conferentie Europese Commissie over actief ouder worden (en)

To highlight the benefits learning can bring to active ageing and intergenerational solidarity, the European Commission organised a major conference on the topic in Brussels on 19-21 November 2012.

The focus of the conference was on developing ideas and orientations for European cooperation in adult learning related to active ageing and intergenerational learning policies, based on an analysis of policy needs and priorities in this area.

Lifelong learning is a means to active ageing, and it has been actively promoted in the EU policy over the last decade. It is concerned with the learning of people of all ages as a means to reaching higher levels of competence and giving an increasing number of individuals the chance to participate in education and training. These policies are considered central for the EU 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

The "One Step Up in later life: learning for active ageing and intergenerational solidarity" conference in Brussels resulted in an 11 Point Memorandum, which summarises the key messages from the workshops.

The conference gathered around 200 participants with a strong representation from governmental authorities including the National Coordinators for the implementation of the European Agenda for Adult Learning and the National coordinators for the European Year 2012. Important stakeholder organisations at international, European and national levels active in promotion of later life learning were present, as well as representatives of higher education, cross-sectoral research, learning centres, social partners, businesses and Grundtvig beneficiaries.

For more information about the workshops and the presentations please visit this webpage.