English
On the 12th and 13th of March 2025 we visited our colleagues at Karelia University of Applied Sciences in Joensuu, Finland. We gained many new impressions and made great progress in the AliVe project.
The first day began with a campus tour where we were particularly impressed by Karelia’s use of technology to provide shared online classroom space and to support learning in simulated health interventions with an emphasis on the practical skills and peer reflection and evaluation.
Our project meeting was a very active and collaborative space for us to explore our various microcredential pilots. We were inspired by the Karelia UAS urban pilot that focused on connection and wellbeing in nature through poetry co-created with older adults. The presentation acted as a catalyst for our own reflections on the meaning of the pilots for the participants and we worked in small groups exploring the question: “What resonates with you…questions, thoughts, emotions?” Our discussions highlighted the importance of using pedagogical approaches that affirm older adults’ expertise and experience when designing lifelong learning for this cohort – sharing knowledge and experiences is important to their lifelong learning journey.
On day two, we visited one of the Joensuu Martat NGO centres (https://www.martat.fi/in-english/) where we learned about their amazing work educating the public in matters of home economics. Founded in 1899, the “Marthas” advise on food, nutrition, gardening, the environment, family finances and consumer issues. They provide cultural and civic education and engage in advocacy work in Finland, and cooperate with women’s NGOs in Africa. We experienced first-hand the social and health benefits of engaging in a community group cooking of traditional Karelian pies and eating in community together.
We also visited the Muisti ry – The Alzheimer’s Society (https://www.pkmuistiry.fi) to learn about the support work they do with people with dementia and their families. It was a place in the centre of the city that had a welcoming, casual feel where people can participate in all kinds of group activities with peers. It takes a strengths-based and empowering approach. We heard about a wonderful collaborative project in the area on the co-design of a park to support people with memory issues.
Thanks again to our wonderful hosts for organising such a varied and inspiring program. Next up: Prague.
