“Senior citizens in contemporary Europe, issues and challenges”

From 23 until 25 september we co-organized the International European Educational and Scientific Conference on health care, social care, and new technologies for lifelong learning. The event was organized with the National Federation of Third Age University Associations in Poland; the Polish Seniors’ Union and the Jagiellonian Third Age University.

Our secretary general, Guido Dumon delivered an opening speech at the conference, he stressed the importance of lifelong learning, wishing the more than 100 attendees an interesting day. In addition, great sympathy was expressed for the Ukrainian people. 

The aim of the conference was to organize an open dialogue and to exchange ideas about the goals of sustainable development and discuss how to build a future for all ages, how to strengthen solidarity between generations and across borders, responding to demographic changes. The conference was divided into three major thematic blocks where experts were given the floor through panel discussions. This provided participants with information on the topics from different perspectives. There was also time to answer questions from the audience: 

1. Issues of Healthcare and General Senior Care – Situation in European Union Member States during the COVID-19 Pandemic 
2. State-of-the-art Technologies in the Context of Senior Citizen’s Needs 
3. Education for Senior Citizens – Lifelong Learning: Challenges Faced by Seniors’ Organisations and their Leaders 

The event was kicked off by a Keynote address by Professor Steven Van Hecke, Ph.D. Catholic University of Leuven: “Looking ahead to European and global challenges”. His presentation is available here.

On Sunday, a day after the congress, the ESU delegation was guided around magical Krakow by a guide from the Third Age University  Among other things, we visited the famous Veit Stoss altarpiece of Saint Mary’s Basilica.