The transmission of traditional knowledge as an educational tool to promote health and active ageing in the elderly

Active ageing is a subject of particular relevance at a time when the need to face the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century has led to new ways of understanding education. Thus, the competency-based learning model currently implemented in European, Latin American and other educational systems must be considered in all age groups regardless of geographic or socio-demographic criteria. In the Spanish education legislation, competences are defined as the "abilities to apply the content of each stage of teaching and learning in an integrated manner, in order to attain the appropriate performance of activities and the effective resolution of complex problems". As can be deduced from this definition, the great challenge lies in putting them into practice in the teaching-learning processes. In this respect, Traditional Knowledge (TK) is presented as a tool to encourage dialogue, intergenerational health and, consequently, care for our elders from school to university. Moreover, the encounter between generations at different educational stages can enhance the life experience of older people and the development of two-way skills resulting from this interaction. Currently, the "Inventario Espanol de los Conocimientos Tradicionales relativos a la Biodiversidad" (IECTB) (Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity), drawn up to comply with Law 42/2007 of 13 December, on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity, is a reference point for the work on social gerontology and the development of teaching materials with the proposed pedagogical philosophy.