INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTER FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH OF SENIORS

1. Establishment of Center for Education and Research of Seniors

The Center for Education and Research of Seniors (CERS) at PU in Prešov was established on March 28, 2011 by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the Prešov University in Prešov, on the initiative of prof. PhDr. Beata Balogová, PhD. The aim of setting up CERS at PU in Prešov is to meet the requirements of developing a knowledge-based society, exchanging knowledge and experience in the field of science and education of the aging population, filling the existing gaps in research on aging in Slovakia and the Central European region. The result is the development of recommendations aimed at promoting better coordination of research in Slovakia and Central Europe, improving mutual national and international cooperation in interdisciplinary research and within the National Program for the Protection of Older Persons in Slovakia. The CERS project at PU in Prešov follows the priorities of the 7th Framework Program of the EU and the European research project INTERLINKS – Health systems and long-term care for older people in Europe implemented by the Institute for Labor and Family Research, the results of which can be implemented in the curricula of Slovak universities and the activities of relevant institutions.

 

2. Justification of the formation of CERS

Activities aimed at supporting the elderly and aging population can be noticed especially since 1999, which was proclaimed by the United Nations as the International Year of the Elderly. The Slovak Republic responded to this by adopting the Action Plan on Aging and Old Age, which focused on promoting active aging. Other demographic changes also reflected Motion for a resolution of the European Parliament 2007/2156 (UNI) 1 (we select only the most important parts) in which we find statements that:

• demography is a cumulative result of factors such as fertility, life expectancy and migratory flows, resulting in widespread changes, mainly due to an aging population whose average age could rise from 39 years in 2004 to 49 years in 2050 .
• these demographic changes will significantly change the composition of the population and the age pyramid;
• the average European old-age dependency ratio will increase from 25% in 2004 to 53% in 2050,
• demographic changes will have a major impact on public spending, which is projected to increase by 10% between 2004 and 2050.

 

Subsequently, the European Parliament proposed General Observations of the European Parliament 2007/2156 (UNI), which:

• 2. Recalls that the two main causes of demographic change, decline in childbearing and aging are the result of progress in the advancement of life, hygiene and living standards, and the fact that women control fertility, the result of emancipation and is associated with raising the level of education and participation of women in work and public life;
• 4. Emphasizes that the average birth rate in the Union is 1.5, which is extremely low; does not reflect the will of women, nor the desire of European citizens to start a family, and could also be related to the difficulties in reconciling work and family life, the difficult social situation and the fears of the future.

 

European countries are aware of their collective responsibility for the development of Europe and its community, and therefore the Call for Demographic Reconstruction of Europe 2007/2156 (UNI) has arisen an it:

• 14. Recognizes that motherhood is one of the most intense choices that must be respected; in view of the differences between states in the birth rate that is between 1.25 and 2.0, the birth rate can be positively changed through appropriate public policies by creating a material and psychological environment favorable to the family and the child;
• 24. Highlights that family models are changing; therefore asks the Commission and the Member States to take this fact into due account when drawing up and implementing policies.

 

Last but not least, the European Parliament does not neglect the intergenerational policy, and thus the Call for Intercultural Relations 2007/2156 (UNI) has arisen, and it:

• 68. Recalls the great contribution made by older people to social and economic cohesion and the fact that their active participation in family solidarity strengthens the role of redistribution of resources; on the other hand, considers that their participation in voluntary events within the social economy must be facilitated and encouraged; the demand for elderly people for goods and services, their use of leisure time, the demand for healthcare and wellness services are an emerging sector of the economy and a new wealth called silver gold;
• 69. Calls on the Member States to promote the role of the elderly while maintaining intergenerational solidarity and encourages Member States, in cooperation with local partners, to facilitate the participation of these people in volunteering activities, particularly those of an educational, cultural and entrepreneurial nature.

 

These European challenges are followed by the Vatican's request dated April 15, 2008, when the Pope's Family Council published the final message of its XVIII. century. plenary session, which is the role of grandarents within the family: "Grandparents are the joy and human, social, cultural and religious wealth of family, society and the Church."

 

In the whole context, the changes in the demographic behavior of the population resonate with a significant impact on their lives. In Western Europe and North America, these changes occurred earlier in the second half of the 1960s. In our country, they appeared "suddenly" in the 90's, after a social change. There have been many theories explaining these changes. One of the most famous is the theory of the second demographic revolution, which was drafted by the Dutch demographer D. F. van de Kaa. It underlines the cultural implications of changes in demographic behavior. Fundamental are deep changes in the value system and changes in standards and attitudes that relate to personal relationships, fertility, and family. Expert views based on this theory are negative (they point to a decline in natality, a decline in marriage, etc.), but the demographic revolution also brings its positives. One of which is a return to multigenerational families, prolonging life, pushing the youth phase deeper into adulthood (delaying the age of marriage, the age of pregnancy). These are often referred to as "radical social changes" and they also bring with them the need to educate and research the designated areas.

 

The Institute for Educology and Social Work was called for cooperation with the Institute for Labor and Family Research, Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family and to the INTERLINKS project within the 7th Framework Program of the EU, to the National Expert Panel, where is doc. PhDr. Beáta Balogová, PhD. selected as an expert on senior issues within the academic field in Slovakia.

 

Another impuls was the previous realization of VEGA scientific research projects Older parents as a source of social support 1/2520/05; Old Parent As A Support For Finding The Notion Of Life No. 1/0410/08. At the same time, educational and expert projects were implemented: the project of the Community Planning of Social Services in Prešov; project of the Council of Seniors of Prešov and the City of Prešov Older to the young and vice versa; Project Royal Brabest Capital, a.s. Svit Project of a senior community town; Central and East European Trust Project SK-X-2008-04 and Institute of Philosophy and Ethics of the PU within the Unesco Department of Bioethics entitled Ethical Monitoring of the Functioning of Public Administration in Eastern Slovakia; ESF project ITMS 27110230031 "Innovations in social services" under the Operational Program Employment and Social Inclusion, realizer of DSS Sabinov and IEaSP PU; Comenius / Leonardo da Vinci / Grundtvig of the University of Prešov and UCD Adult Education Center, Library Building, College Dublin, Ireland; Project Senior Park Torysa: Senior Residential Housing Project; a project of the University of the Third Age at Prešov University in Prešov; Project of the Third Age Academy in cooperation with the Academy of Education in Prešov; the project of the Physically Active and Healthy Lifestyle of Prešov and Olomouc University; participation in the project of the City Office Prešov for All; Project Granddad, Grandma teach me  in co-operation with the A. Prídavka Nursery School in Prešov with the support of the MU in Prešov; project Intergenerational Bridges, held in cooperation with ESO Euro Academy Hotel Academy, ul. Volgograd; the Senior in the library project, held in cooperation with library of P.O. Hviezdoslav in Prešov; the CantoVero Choir project and others.