This chapter proposes and delineates a comprehensive, systemic framework for educational policy support designed to empower older adults to thrive in an increasingly digital society. The concurrent trends of global population aging and pervasive digital transformation present a dual challenge: the potential exacerbation of a “gray digital divide” and the unprecedented opportunity to harness technology for lifelong learning, social engagement, and productive aging. Moving beyond fragmented, welfare-centric approaches, this chapter argues for a paradigm shift towards viewing older adults as active agents of continued growth and societal contribution. Synthesizing international policy discourse (e.g., WHO’s Active Ageing, UN MIPAA) with concrete Chinese national and provincial strategies, the chapter constructs a multilevel, multiactor policy ecosystem. This framework is structured around five interdependent pillars: (1) Foundational Policies for Digital Inclusion and Equity; (2) Lifelong Learning and Educational Pathway Policies; (3) Institutional Capacity and Multi-Stakeholder Governance; (4) Capacity Building for Educators and Facilitators; and (5) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Building. By analyzing China’s rapid policy innovation—from national digital literacy action plans and the integration of senior universities into open education systems to the promotion of a “silver economy”—the chapter presents a coherent model that links macrolevel vision with mesolevel institutional mechanisms and microlevel learner empowerment. The primary aim is to outline a proactive, enabling policy architecture that systematically bridges the digital divide and transforms it into a digital dividend, fostering meaningful participation and contribution of older citizens.

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A System of Educational Policy Support for Aging with Opportunities in the Digital Society

  • Siwei Wang,
  • Sheying Chen

摘要

This chapter proposes and delineates a comprehensive, systemic framework for educational policy support designed to empower older adults to thrive in an increasingly digital society. The concurrent trends of global population aging and pervasive digital transformation present a dual challenge: the potential exacerbation of a “gray digital divide” and the unprecedented opportunity to harness technology for lifelong learning, social engagement, and productive aging. Moving beyond fragmented, welfare-centric approaches, this chapter argues for a paradigm shift towards viewing older adults as active agents of continued growth and societal contribution. Synthesizing international policy discourse (e.g., WHO’s Active Ageing, UN MIPAA) with concrete Chinese national and provincial strategies, the chapter constructs a multilevel, multiactor policy ecosystem. This framework is structured around five interdependent pillars: (1) Foundational Policies for Digital Inclusion and Equity; (2) Lifelong Learning and Educational Pathway Policies; (3) Institutional Capacity and Multi-Stakeholder Governance; (4) Capacity Building for Educators and Facilitators; and (5) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Building. By analyzing China’s rapid policy innovation—from national digital literacy action plans and the integration of senior universities into open education systems to the promotion of a “silver economy”—the chapter presents a coherent model that links macrolevel vision with mesolevel institutional mechanisms and microlevel learner empowerment. The primary aim is to outline a proactive, enabling policy architecture that systematically bridges the digital divide and transforms it into a digital dividend, fostering meaningful participation and contribution of older citizens.