歐盟委員會（EC）高齡學習的新發展策略：高齡者增能計畫探討

EC's Newly Developed Strategy for Senior Learning: The SenEmPower Project of EC

由於高齡人口遽增以及終身教育學習理念的激發，針對高齡者的學習也從以往福利觀點走向教育觀點。為因應人口高齡化的趨勢與潮流，高齡教育必須強化及創新，以提供適合高齡者學習的機制，進而引導高齡者走向成功老化，已是刻不容緩的事實。本文主要在探討歐盟委員會（European Commission, EC）新近推動針對高齡者學習的高齡者增能計畫（The SenEmpower Project of EC）之內容與作法，首先探討該計畫的發展背景、理念、目的、對象、參與國家與地區等；其次，說明增能計畫的理論基礎與課程設計，強調在中高齡轉換學習、行動和增能等層面的課程設計；第三，在執行方案內容與參與方式中，分別探討奧地利格拉茨市（city of Graz）、德國卡塞爾市（city ofKassel）、奧芬巴赫區（district of Offenbach）、義大利羅馬、英國蘭開夏郡（county ofLancashire）和立陶宛的德考納斯（city of Kaunas）等地推行方案的重點與內容；第四，分析高齡增能方案成功因素與推動成效；最後，有鑑於歐盟委員會的高齡者增能計畫，尊重老人的權利，滿足個體需求而又有知性的挑戰性，引領高齡者走出生命的尊嚴和獨立，開展高齡學習新思維。歐盟委員會的高齡者增能計畫對於人口老化的速度較歐美國家更為迅速的臺灣，在邁向高齡化的社會中，或許可以找到參考與借鏡之處。

In view of the increased population of seniors and inspiration of life-long learning, senior learning has also switched from the perspective of social welfare to the perspective of education and life-long learning. In order to catch up the trend, the educational system of seniors needs to reinforce and innovate to provide the appropriate senior learning system and eventually lead to successful senior life. In view of such trend, European Commission (EC) launched the SenEmpower–Empowering seniors to take part in community life (SenEmpower project). The purpose of the SenEmpower project is to improve the general capacity of seniors as well as involve them to play a more active role in society. The SenEmpower project emphasizes on the empowerment of senior citizens for social inclusion in local community as well as active participation in public welfare. It also aims to address the isolation of the vulnerable groups such as single, older women and other at-risk marginal social groups. This article begins with the background and goals of the SenEmpower project. Then, we describe how it was implemented in Graz city of Austrian, Kassel and district of Offenbach in Germany, Rome, Lancashire county of the United Kingdom, and finally Kaunas city in Lithuania. We also discuss the curriculum design, content of the local project, as well as explore the results and sustainability of the project in these six regions. The SenEmpower Project of EC empowers the seniors and satisfies their intellectual activities and related social needs. Since Taiwan is already an ageing society, it is important to take on a similar action to empower her seniors. Finally, The discussions of the article offer suggestions in methodologies, and practices for researchers, educational practitioners, or local policy makers.