22. Apr 2013

Editorial: Contributions by Maria Schwarz-Woelzl, Jana Machacova, August Gächter

The topic Ageing Society as well as trends of Migration and Remigration have become leading the way for our society....
‘Learning in later life often sees a paradigm shift away from academic attainment or qualifications to a more social learning experience that brings a degree of pleasure and fulfilment to the individuals. It is about an understanding which extends an individual’s opportunity to remain active, physically, socially and mentally. Hence, learning in later life should be designed to meet aspects such as self-actualization, building relationships and creating social networks.
Web 2.0 tools can help realise these aims. Thus, the vision of the EU-project ‘PEER-Dare to be wise!’ is to provide facilitation of peer learning supported by customized Web2.0 tools for adults aged 50plus.’
Maria Schwarz-Woelzl, project Manager, at ZSI's unit Technology and Knowledge (T&W): www.peer-learning-50plus.eu

‘Population ageing in Central Europe is one of the biggest challenges resulting in ageing regions, enhanced migration and changes in family structures. We are all getting older and solidarity and effective cooperation of governments, social partners and organisations is the only key to successful active ageing. The CE-Ageing Platform with its transnational CE-Ageing Strategy helps to foster the knowledge development of ageing citizens, establishes coordinated actions and serves as a strategic guideline for CE regions.’
Jana Machacova, project manager, at ZSI's unit Work and Equal Opportunities (A&C): www.ce-ageing.eu

‘Migrants are typically between 18 and 38 years old. They retard a society's aging. However, the age gap between migrants and natives exacerbates the antagonism between the two groups. This is a new challenge that did not exist in the case of earlier migrations. For strongly hierarchical societies there is a difficult second challenge. Because of the global expansion of education new migrants are increasingly educated. This makes it harder to sort migrants into the lowest rungs of the occupational hierarchy. If a society cannot conceive other forms of integration, conflicts will be likely. ‘
August Gächter, researcher, at ZSI's unit Work and Equal Opportunities (A&C): Berufliche DeQualifizierung von Einwander/innen in Tirol

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Tags: ageing society, migration, social innovation