Greece and Cyprus

Abstract

This chapter examines the various aspects of older adults learning in Greece and Cyprus in a time of social and economic crisis. It reflects on the role of social-care formations and policy initiatives that have influenced the lives and attitudes of older adults, and considers some important and intertwining factors that characterize older adults’ education and learning in both countries. The chapter initially focuses on the socio-economic conditions that prevent many older adults in Greece and Cyprus from engaging in various learning activities today in order to lead diverse and productive lives. Based on statistically related information, relevant literature and policy documents, the chapter describes and explains some of these factors arguing that older adults’ learning drawback in both countries is highly related to failure in fully accessing education and learning because they are either not well informed or are unaware of educational opportunities (communication deficit), or because existing educational opportunities are not appropriate to this particular age group (policy deficit). Furthermore, it assumes that older adults in both countries may be unable to participate in learning because they do not consider it as important or because they think it is irrelevant to their development (cultural deficit). Reflecting on the effects of the current socio-economic crisis that severely damaged social cohesion in both countries, the chapter also argues that it is of critical importance to address these conditions for assessing how disadvantaged older adults in particular may be enabled or empowered towards learning through targeted guidance and counselling in order to make their way in and actively take part in a productive way to life.