Representatives of the European project partners met in Olsztyn (Poland) from 26 to 28 September 2018 to attend the final conference of the ERASMUS+ “Silver Learners” project.

The conference was organized by FOSa Federation in Olsztyn.

Following a welcome and introduction to Olsztyn covering both its history and background in European Cooperation, all project partners presented their project results, best practice and experience on local level. The day ended with an optional visiting of the Olsztyn planetarium.

On the second day the „Silver Learners” Project was part of the 11th regional conference on the occasion of the international day of older persons "European trends in the senior politics. Silver Learners - european network acting for improvement of the  standards of working with seniors in Europe"

Conference opening:

Bartÿomiej Gÿuszak, president of the FOSa Federation and Gustaw Marek Brzezin, Marshal of the Warmia and Mazury Voivodship

Lectures:

Lecture 1

"European trends in the senior politics. Silver Learners - european network acting for  improvement of the  standards of work with seniors in Europe"

Frank Finkeldei (City Hall - VHS Iserlohn, Germany), Matthias Quaschnik (Iserlohn City Hall, Germany)

Lecture 2

"Between passivity and activity. Transformations in the approach to the senior politics"

PhD Katarzyna Biaÿobrzeska (Faculty of  Social Sciences, Social Pedagogy Unit UWM in Olsztyn, director of the Social and Educational Studies Institute of FOSa)

Panel discussions:

Panel 1

„Let’s get digital! New technologies and trends in work with seniors”
Introducion/moderation: Joanna Szymaÿska (FOSa Federation)
Panel participants: Niek Kaag (Lern for Life, Netherlands), Rebecca Morgan (Cambridge City Shire, Great Britain), Krzysztof Marusiÿski (leader of the Network in favour of Seniors, Poland)

Panel 2

„Dementia - a 21st century challenge. Overcoming stereotype. Good practices in working with dementia patients”
Introducion/moderation: Joanna Szymaÿska (FOSa Federation)
Panel participants: Simon Gross (RBS Center fir Altersfroen, Luxembourg),  Gill Owen-John ( Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council, Great Britain), Manon van Dijk (National Ouderen Founds, Netherlands), Stanisÿaw Brzozowski (Ombudsman for Seniors in Warmia and Mazury Voivodship)

Panel 3

„Cross-sectoral cooperation acting for improvement of the quality of seniors' life”
Introducion/moderation: Joanna Szymaÿska (FOSa Federation)
Panel participant Zoltan Szenes (Nyiregyhaza City Hall, Hungary), ÿukasz ÿóÿciak (Chorzów City Hall, Poland), Alison Blayney (Kilcooley womens centre, Northern Ireland), Frank Finkeldei (City Halll - VHS Iserlohn, Germany)

The third day of the conference started with a presentation “Senior, NGO and local Policy in Varmia and Masuria County” in the city hall of Olsztyn.
After that the steering group talked about last organizational contents and project conclusion.