"New Trends on adult education" aims to contribute to the new generation of learning strategies, as recent figures from Eurostat show that currently, EU27 has 141 millions of inhabitants aged between 50 and 70 years old, but only 6,5 millions participates in education or training activities. Increasing longevity and the need to ensure access to learning opportunities throughout the whole lifecycle, demand for strategies to make education and training more attractive to all people, especially the older ones.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, former Minister of Science and Higher Education and Minister of Science, Innovation and Higher Education of Portugal, declares that "In an ageing society, inter-generational learning will help cement the solidarity links between young and old". MEP also adds that "Europe will also continue to need highly motivated and qualified people from all over the world. Here again adult education is essential, helping to integrate migrants and people from ethnic minorities in society and the labour market".
Considering the ongoing consultation to the Future programme in the field of Education and training (2014-2020), this conference is an opportunity to bring together diverse policy/decision-makers and experts, to discuss current trends on mature and older adult education.
More than 200 delegates, from 25 different countries and representing the major EU institutions in the fields of education, active ageing and representative of regions, are expected.
Further information and Programme, available at: http://projectpaladin.eu/events/conference/
The conference will take place today from 12:30 to15:00h in the European Parliament, room 2Q2.