As the population in most European countries is ageing, interest in improving older people’s well-being and activity levels has increased. Hence, in recent decades, productive, successful, and active ageing studies have multiplied, and continued learning is argued to be an essential factor. Much research has discussed that engagement in continued education is vital for older people’s perceived quality of life and coping abilities. Moreover, knowledge changes rapidly in contemporary societies, and uncertainty is a defining characteristic, and only some people can aspire to complete their education at a certain point. Researchers, demographic experts and trainers argue that older adults in today’s society have even more motives for participating in learning experiences. _x000D_
One new challenge that requires more education, especially among older people, is shifting from an economy based on the linear production model (take-make-waste) to a circular economy (take-make-use-dispose). By being willing to learn at any stage of life, they can find the answer to several questions, e.g. How to decrease the volume of their household waste? How to reuse and recycle some of these wastes? How to save energy? How to protect the environment?_x000D_
These concerns inspired the researchers and experts from Sofia (Bulgaria), Saragossa (Spain), Matera (Italy), Poznań (Poland) and Skopje (Macedonia) to develop the SenGA project, which aim is to increase the awareness of seniors about sustainable development, recycling and circular economy. The presentation aims to show the objectives of the SenGA project – Seniors in Green Action – from Hands to Minds to Souls financed by the Erasmus+ programme. The presentation contributes to the discussion on the possibility of expanding knowledge and setting new research directions in the human geography of ageing and the level of implementation of the circular economy principles in various spatial scales; national, regional and local.

Michał Męczyński, Ewa Kacprzak, Barbara Maćkiewicz, Krystian Koliński
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań

 
ID Abstract: 916