The AGE platform prepares for the 2012 European Year on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity.
Why a European Year on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity in 2012?
2012 will be the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Action Plan on Ageing. In response to the demographic challenge all EU member states are facing the EY2012 will seek to:
- Promote active ageing in employment
- Promote active ageing in the community through voluntering and caring
- Promote healthy ageing and independent living
What does Active Ageing mean?
Active Ageing is defined by the World Health Organization as the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. It allows people to realise their potential for wellbeing throughout their lives and to participate in society according to their needs, desires and capabilities, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need assistance.
It implies optimising opportunities for physical, social and mental health to enable older people to take an active part in society without discrimination and to enjoy an independent and good quality of life.
What is our objective?
Our entire society is going to have to adapt itself to the needs of its ageing population, but it will also have to tackle the new difficulties faced by other age groups so that all generations will be able to continue supporting each other and living together peacefully.
This means that we will have to collectively review our policies and practices as regards town planning, rural development, public transport, access to health care, social protection, employment, civic participation, leisure, etc.
Demographic change should be looked at as an opportunity, which can bring innovative solutions to many current economic and social challenges, but this will require a new assessment and reworking of several economic and social policies within society.
Empowering older people to age in good health and to contribute more actively to the labour market and to their communities will help us cope with our demographic challenge in a way that is fair and sustainable for all generations.
Why is this Year important for you?
The proposed European Year is designed to serve as a framework for:
- raising awareness on the contribution that older people make to society;
- identifying and disseminating good practice;
- mobilising policymakers and relevant stakeholders at all levels to promote active ageing:
- calling for greater cooperation and solidarity between generations.
A wide range of stakeholders: national, regional and local authorities, employers and trade unions, the business sector, civil society organisations, researchers, etc. should use this opportunity to propose action to support active ageing in the field of : employment, social protection, education and training, health and social services, as well as housing, transport and public infrastructures.
All together they can help bring the necessary changes to achieve a society for all ages and to find innovative solutions that are sustainable and fair for all generations.
How can you contribute?
- Help us spread the information!
- Add the reference to the European Year 2012 to your website
- Add the reference to the European Year 2012 to your publications
- Translate our message in your own language
- Promote our Campaign by inserting a reference in your e-mail signature
- Give regular updates about the campaign through your individual and/or organisation´s communication channels (newsletters, Facebook, Twitter..)
- Commit to promote active ageing!
- Integrate the EY 2012 objectives in your own work programme/business plan and
- Advertise your commitment/initiative on the EY 2012 website by sending an e-mail at EC-ACTIVEAGEING2012@europa.eu.ec This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to share the information with all interested parties and the media.
- Download our publications (in EN, FR, DE, NL, Sl, ES), ask for campaign materials and organise a local, regional or national event/debate on active ageing and solidarity between generations.
- Set up meetings with your local, regional and national politicians, decision makers or other stakeholders (researchers, employers, trade unions, NGOs) and mobilise them to launch initiatives to support active ageing.
- Use the European Day of Solidarity between Generations (29 April) as a good opportunity to stress the link between promoting active ageing and encouraging intergenerational solidarity. You can find some ideas and suggestions on our website at: http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-policy-work/solidarity-between-generations/campaign/934-list-of-initiatives-and-actions-across-europe-2010
- Integrate a campaign activity into your own workprogramme
More information
For more information on the European Year, please click here:http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=860
For more information on the EY2012 Coalition, please visit our website: http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-policy-work/solidarity-between-generations/campaign
Alice Sinigaglia
AGE Platform Europe
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