2026 "New Wave of Boundless Learning" International Forum: Exploring Future Support Systems in an Aging Society

As Taiwan accelerated into a super-aged society, its population structure, health needs, and social support systems underwent rapid restructuring. Lifelong learning became a crucial link connecting health promotion, social participation, intergenerational interaction, and welfare governance. The Center for Labor and Welfare in an Aging Society at National Chung Cheng University (CCU) hosted the 2026 "New Wave of Boundless Learning" International Forum at the Chang Yung-Fa Foundation (Conference Room 803), gathering domestic and international scholars and practitioners to explore the future development of learning systems and support networks in an aging society.

The forum focused on "Boundless Learning and Capability Development Across All Ages," utilizing a format of professional short talks, guided interactions, and plenary sessions. The event aimed to promote interdisciplinary dialogue among adult education, geriatric learning, health promotion, and social support through the intersection of international perspectives and local experiences, paving the way for future research collaboration, policy thinking, and practical action.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by CCU Vice President Chan Sheng-Ju and National Taipei University of Education President Chiu Ying-Hao. During the first session, moderated by President Chiu Ying-Hao, Andy Green, a CCU Yushan Scholar and Professor of Comparative Social Science at the UCL Institute of Education, delivered a lecture titled "Adult Lifelong Learning: Origins, Drivers, and Current Challenges." He reviewed the global context of lifelong learning policies and analyzed the new challenges faced by adult learners amid rapid AI development, geopolitical instability, and economic shifts. Following this, Makoto Makino, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and current Professor at Taisho University, presented "Between the Vast World and the Deep Universe: Living in a Small Society," which reconsidered the deep connections between individuals, communities, and the life world from the perspectives of lifelong learning and social education.

The second session, moderated by National Kaohsiung Normal University President Wang Cheng-Yen, focused on learning innovation and health support systems in a longevity society. Professor Wei Hui-Chuan from the CCU Department of Adult and Continuing Education delivered a talk on "The Learning Revolution in a Longevity Society," discussing the transformation of learning models, program design, and support systems. Professor Wang Shih-Chih from the National Taipei University of Education presented "Health Practices in Boundless Learning: Building Social Prescribing and Whole-Age Health Support Systems," explaining how to construct a comprehensive health support framework through social prescribing and cross-system integration. Professor Chen Yu-Ching from CCU concluded the session with "Healthy Aging and Cross-Generational Lifelong Learning," exploring potential pathways for integrating health promotion, intergenerational interaction, and lifelong learning.

The forum concluded with two plenary sessions, moderated by Professor Li Ya-Hui and Professor Li Ai-Tzu, respectively, which focused on "Lifelong Learning, Social Prescribing, and Community Coexistence in an Aging Society" and "Generational Dialogue and Shared Learning in a Longevity Society." By comparing international academic perspectives with Taiwan's local experiences, the forum not only showcased the diverse aspects of geriatric learning but also highlighted the need for integrated design in education, health, and social support to respond to the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities in an era of super-aged societies.

CCU Vice President Chan Sheng-Ju noted that the forum was more than an academic exchange; it was a practice of interdisciplinary dialogue oriented toward the future society. Through this platform, scholars and practitioners established a more integrated framework for discussing lifelong learning, health support, and social participation, laying a critical foundation for future research, teaching practices, policy advocacy, and international cooperation. The Center for Labor and Welfare in an Aging Society at CCU intends to continue deepening its research capacity and social impact in the field of aging through interdisciplinary collaboration, co-creation, and international connectivity.