The context of the MOVE-ON! project is based on Adult Education, as a part of the lifelong learning system, which represents a strategic role in up-skilling and re-skilling people affected by unemployment and providing also a fundamental contribution for personal development, active citizenship and social equity and inclusion. However, it is a fact that adults with the greatest education and qualification needs have the least opportunity to benefit from lifelong learning as referred in “Adult Education and Training in Europe: Wide Access to Learning Opportunities” (European Commission, EACEA, Eurydice, 2015). Moreover, these adults, with low academic and low professional qualifications, show difficulties and resistance in being part of that lifelong learning system, becoming self-excluded from the possibility of empowered themselves. Considering this, adult lifelong learning is one of the major challenges in EU, vital for the European economic and social sustainability, giving citizens the possibility to improve their lives and to be competitive in labour market. This is the essential dimension strategically presented in “Europe 2020 – a European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth” (European Commission, 2010).
Based on the above findings and recommendations, the main objective of this project is to promote social inclusion, specifically of women aged over 50, long term unemployed, low-skilled or low-qualified, through the development of effective outreach, guidance and motivation strategies. These strategies will increase the demand and take-up of an active participation in lifelong learning, improving and upgrading their key competences, such us professional, social, civic, intercultural competences media literacy and critical thinking. The project also aims to combat discrimination and gender inequality, valuing and reinforcing inclusion, diversity and equality, fostering socio-educational and professional development (Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019, European Commission, 2015).
Furthermore, the project pretends to raise and to develop adult educator’s competences to lead with these disadvantage groups using innovative and transforming methodologies - creative learning needs creative teaching. To achieve these objectives, innovative and integrated approaches will be implemented and tailored to the needs of this target group: education by art. This will be the innovative component to achieve effective personal development and an intense/strong impact in women’s lives, as well enhancing the educators’ competences. Art is an essential component of a meaning education leading to the full development of the person (Herbert Read in Education Through Art, 1943). Therefore, education by art is an universal human right, for all learners, including those who are often excluded from education (“Road Maps for Arts Education”, Unesco, 2006). This target group, women aged over 50, also marginalised, is quite relevant, because in every countries of the partnership, exists an almost total absence of those women in lifelong learning processes demand and, simultaneous, an enormous passive attitude towards its own personal fulfillment. Education by art allows, also, an informal learning which breaks barriers, reduce difficulties and enhance involvement, sensibility and pleasure.
