As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that the knowledge and traditions of our elders are not lost. One way to do this is by working collaboratively with disadvantaged elderly adults to create cultural heritage products. Not only does this help to preserve valuable cultural traditions, but it also provides a unique opportunity for youth to learn from and connect with older generations.
Working with elderly adults can be a rewarding experience for young people. By collaborating with elderly adults, youth can learn about different cultural traditions and gain a greater appreciation for the experiences and wisdom of older generations. In addition, working on a cultural heritage project can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment for both the elderly adults and the youth involved.
To create a cultural heritage product, The FLOURISH project will encourage youth aged 18-30 to work collaboratively with disadvantaged elderly adults over the age of 65 to create and record the process of creation of a cultural heritage product. The project will encourage an environment of knowledge and skill exchange, active cultural participation and digital capacity building within a framework of cooperation and meaningful learning, which is the basic foundation for a less divided and exclusionary society.
In particular, the project has completed its 1rst project result, an online e-course with an interactive digital infrastructure that will have a double function: To train adult educators on intergenerational learning and support senior adults and young adults in the creation of their cultural heritage products by providing them with the relevant tools. The ground-breaking aspect of this platform is its all-encompassing approach to education, which not only supports the growth of senior individuals’ digital literacy and skills but also fosters a collaborative, synergistic learning environment within intergenerational learning. Through a “learning by doing” approach, older persons will become familiar with the tools and forms of online education. Their younger partners will support them in this collaborative knowledge-exchange relationship.
In conclusion, working collaboratively with disadvantaged elderly adults to create cultural heritage products is a meaningful and rewarding experience for both youth and elderly adults. Not only does it help to preserve valuable cultural traditions, but it also provides a unique opportunity for young people to learn from and connect with older generations.
