The document discusses learning in rural areas and proposes a governance model. It outlines four dimensions of learning: learning to know, learning to do, learning to be, and learning to live together. For each dimension, it lists strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities of rural learning environments. Intergenerational learning is presented as an opportunity across the dimensions. The document argues that a governance of learning in rural areas is emerging, driven by initiatives at the municipal level and learning-oriented regional development. It proposes that such a governance model could be strengthened by better coordination of initiatives and a strategic foundation based on analyses of strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities.

1. 1Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013 12. Treffen der Steuerungsgruppe „Ländliche Räume in der Wissensgesellschaft“ │ WKNÖ │ Krems a.d. Donau │ 18. April 2012
Regions and Localities of Learning –
Toward a Governance of Learning in Rural Areas
Lukas Löschner
Institute for Spatial Planning and Rural Development (IRUB)
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU)
Final Conference of the Project „Big Foot: Crossing Generations, Crossing Mountains“
Vienna International Centre (VIC) │ June 5, 2013

2. 2Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
Overview
 Dimensions of Learning: where and how can learning
take place?
 Rural Learning Environments: what are their
respective qualities and deficits for learning?
 Intergenerational Learning: how may it become an
integral part of learning environments?
 Governance of Learning: what does it mean and how
can it take a more concrete form?

3. 3Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
FOUR
DIMENSIONS OF
LEARNING
LEARNING TO
KNOW
LEARNING TO
DO
LEARNING TO
BE
LEARNING TO
LIVE
TOGETHER
UNESCO, 1996

4. 4Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
STRENGTHS
solid knowledge base (e.g.
below average share of low-
qualified persons, above average
share of apprentices)
WEAKNESSES
▬ regional discrepancies between
supply and demand in
qualifications
THREATS
▼ qualification as push-factor for
out-migration of young adults
OPPORTUNITIES
▲ continuous trend to higher
education
LEARNING TO KNOW

5. 5Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
STRENGTHS
system of dual learning in
apprenceships (i.e. in trade
school and in the training
enterprise)
WEAKNESSES
apprentices have fewer
possibilities for interregional
and international mobility
THREATS
shortage of apprentices in
certain fields (due to low quality
of applicants and high
concentration on few trades)
OPPORTUNITIES
growing political attention on
the dual system of learning (EU
and national level)
LEARNING TO DO

6. 6Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
STRENGTHS
awareness for human-
environment interactions (e.g.
as a basis for knowledge based
actions)
WEAKNESSES
lower diversity and fewer
cultural offers than in urban
areas
THREATS
higher reluctance to embrace
(technological) innovations, in
particular among elderly
populations (i.e. digital illiteracy)
OPPORTUNITIES
better provision of ICTs opens
new ways for learning via new
media
LEARNING TO BE

7. 7Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
STRENGTHS
community engagement and
bottom-up initiatives (foster
the emotional ties to other
forms of learning)
WEAKNESSES
greater social control in rural
communities and a lack of
creative milieus
THREATS
structural shifts in rural
economies and demographic
change (i.e. out migration and
ageing population) pose a
challenge to social cohesion
OPPORTUNITIES
a growing range of regional and
local development frameworks
(to mobilize community
engagement)
LEARNING TO LIVE
TOGETHER

8. 8Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
LEARNING TO KNOW
pupils can learn from elderly
generations about economic, social,
environmental changes to the region
(„contemporary witnessess“)
LEARNING TO DO
apprenticeships: the skills for a trade
are passed on from older to younger
generations
LEARNING TO LIVE TOGETHER
regional/local development
frameworks provide a good forum to
foster dialog across and mutual
understanding between age groups
LEARNING TO BE
elderly generations can learn from
younger generations how to navigate
the world wide web and make use
use of modern technologies
INTERGENERATIONAL
LEARNING

9. 9Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
Toward a Governance of Learning in Rural Areas (I)
In the making...
 growing (political) importance of multi-dimensional learning:
 recent shift towards learning-oriented regional development:
 recent initiatives for fostering learning on the municipal level:

10. 10Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
Toward a Governance of Learning in Rural Areas (II)
...more Coherence
 reliable statistical data and hard facts on rural
learning environments
 better coordination of (piecemeal)
initiatives , bridging all learning dimensions
 solid strategic foundation for learning-oriented
local/regional development projects (an the basis
of SWOT-analyses)
Strengths Weaknesses
Threats Opportunities

11. 11Big Foot Final Conference│ Intergenerational Learning and Innovation for Sustainable Development │ Vienna International Centre (VIC)│ June, 2013
Thank you!