What is the initiative and where is it implemented (city or country)?
The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of older people by promoting a balanced lifestyle, social participation and the sharing of deep experiences. The initiative was introduced to ‘build social capital and solve social problems’ of Seoul. The programme is targeted at adults between the ages of 50 and 64; it provides customized services for the ‘50+ generation’ by integrating employment, welfare, education and counselling policies.
How was the initiative established? How was it implemented?
The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation was established in April 2016, and it has held forums ever since to exchange successful practices and collaborate with international organizations. The foundation also holds workshops and an annual policy forum.
Which stakeholders are involved in the design and/or implementation of the initiative? Which sectors do they represent?
The Foundation works on group support, public work projects, fairs and festivals.
The structure of the foundation has three levels:
- the Foundation as a controlling body;
- the ’50 Plus Campus’, a complex cultural hub;
- the ’50 Plus Center’ – a community activity space for local communication and cultural exchanges.
The Plus Campus operates through smaller community centres and provides comprehensive services that are necessary for life transition, such as job and education counselling and information exchanges.
One of the major areas of the Foundation’s work is developing a ’50 Plus Work Model’ to support transition and transformation, introducing volunteer work for adults and establishing a support system for starting a business. The 50 Plus Work Model operates through public and private sector partnerships.
Through ’50 Plus Customized Policies’, the foundation addresses specific needs of the adult population; systematic research and policy proliferations allows the Government of the Republic of Korea to develop policies that address current issues.
’50 Plus Culture’ carries out citizen participation projects to expand awareness and promote social understanding between generations. The project collaborates with like-minded partners to organize festivals and celebrations and support online social hubs for the generation
What are the impacts of the initiative in terms of facilitating lifelong learning? Who does it benefit and how?
An important aim of the 50 Plus Foundation is to improve quality of life among the adult population. The Foundation implements unique projects to support this aim.
The ’50 Plus Life School’ runs a diverse curriculum to support long-term sustainable changes in the lives of the 50+ generation. The curriculum includes planning support for leisure and physical activities, as well as financial planning. Lifelong learning is central to this project and teaches the population about ‘continuity and meaning of life’. The project involves various practice-based activities including presentations, field studies and short workshops, which aim to transform and re-establish people’s attitudes towards life, work and learning.
The ‘Good Job 5060’ project was established in a collaboration between the Ministry of Employment and Labor and Hyundai Motors with support from other private enterprises. Good Job 5060 developed a support system for new retirees to adjust to ‘income and social change in the second half of life’. Education, mentoring and project funds contribute to a platform for re-employment; employment for new retirees is often linked to social contribution and community enhancement.
The ‘50 Plus Life – Leisure and Culture’ project promotes leisure and hobbies as important factors in stimulating curiosity and constantly driving personal development. An active lifestyle, wellbeing and participation in social life are vital for the older generation. The project provides space for participants to take part in diverse activities and create a new 50 Plus culture.
The annual 50 Plus Festival provides an opportunity for participation in various cultural events and connection with the community. The Festival holds various programmes such as ‘The Life Counselling Center’, which helps people with transition periods in life; the ‘Job Library’ for those seeking new work and activities; and the ‘Passion Club Room’, the ‘Community Playground’ and the ‘Community Broadcasting System’, all of which serve as hubs for community engagement and the exchange of ideas and opportunities
References:
Choi, U. S. 2018. The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation, Republic of Korea. In: P. Kearns & D. Reghenzani-Kearns, eds. Towards Good Active Ageing for All. In a context of deep demographic change and dislocation. First report of the PASCAL & PIMA SIG on Learning in Later Life. s.l.:s.n., pp. 37-39.
Seoul 50 Plus Foundation, n.d. Management Strategy. [online] Available at: https://50plus.or.kr/org/eng.do [Accessed 15 October 2020].