Adressing challenges: You live and learn!

Addressing challenges:You live and learn!

Lifelong learning naturally includes "education in old age". In Austria, however, significantly more women than men are currently pursuing further education in the post-professional phase of life. We spoke with the expert Dr. Christian Kloyber, Director of the Federal Institute for Adult Education (bifeb) about the interesting and relevant topic of "education in old age".

Addressing challenges. "Education in old age" must be a fact. Ignoring it is a serious mistake made by post-industrial societies," says Dr. Christian Kloyber, because: "From a societal perspective, there are two major demographic, social, political and educational challenges that will shape and determine the 21st century worldwide: On the one hand the demographic development of an ageing society and on the other hand major migration movements. Lifelong learning - i.e. the acquisition of basic humanistic values and skills - is a guiding principle for the maintenance of quality of life in all dimensions and thus for the interlocking development of our democratic states. The traditional images of 'youth', then 'adulthood' and 'post-professional life' and 'old age' are in a state of upheaval. New social traditions are therefore necessary. Learning in these contexts means change and development.

Using positive impulses. The bifeb - it is located in St. Wolfgang in Upper Austria - is the competence centre for initial and continuing adult education in Austria. The Federal Institute for Adult Education has been tested in accordance with both the guidelines of the Austrian Ecolabel for educational institutions and the guidelines for the Austrian Ecolabel for tourism businesses. Positive impulses from the certifications include a reduction in energy consumption (electricity, gas), a reduction in the amount of water and a reduced use of cleaning agents. Environment and health are major concerns of bifeb. Dr. Kloyber explains: "The purchase of food and consumables as well as for the IT area will also be implemented according to the requirements of the Ecolabel as far as possible. In addition, an e-charging point is available to our employees and guests".

"Learning in old age" - even for institutions. Environmentally compatible behaviour must also be learned. To what extent is "education in old age" currently being implemented in Austria, Dr Kloyber? "Ministry of Social Affairs, universities and adult education are developing their own programmes. The bifeb regularly hosts conferences, seminars and workshops in cooperation with organisations, associations and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection. Trained trainers and experts communicate their planning and programme competence in the field of adult education.

To what extent do older Austrians make use of appropriate learning opportunities? Are there gender-specific differences?

"Unfortunately, education statistics mainly take into account age cohorts of educational age and working age. Evidence-based data would be desirable here. But in general it can be said that adult education and 'education in old age' is 'female' to a disproportionate extent, well over 65%.

What is the current situation regarding "learning in old age" in rural areas in Austria?

"Education in old age also means a radical rethink for communities in rural areas, especially in areas of migration, such as the Alpine region and the northern Waldviertel: Infrastructures have been destroyed in recent decades. In the villages, the inn, the post office, the bakery and the small local suppliers have disappeared one after the other. Public transport networks have not been expanded, so mobility is very limited. And: These social parameters cannot be compensated for by the 'expansion of the Internet glass fibre'. Otherwise, a negative scenario threatens in Austria!

How can older people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds be reached?

"Integration of older people must be an integral part of society, in the family, in social life, in the world of work, in all social contexts. Then they can be reached. On the category of 'educationally disadvantaged', I would like to make the following points: Who is distant from what and from what perspective? Is it not also the case that education has 'distanced' itself from people - and not people in certain social and spatial 'milieus' from it?

With this concluding thought we would like to encourage you to reflect. Many thanks to Dr. Christian Kloyber for his arguments on the topic of "Education in Old Age" in Austria. We wish him continued strength for his committed work on the bifeb!

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The further education certificate "Education in Old Age" can be acquired at bifeb. Find the programm here!