Brussels, 18/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - Maintaining the vitality of older people, enhancing their involvement in society and removing barriers between generations should be the main aims of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations in 2012, states the European Parliament committee on employment and social affairs. On Wednesday 16 March, the committee adopted the report by Martin Kastler (EPP, Germany) by 44 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions (co-decision procedure).
While strongly backing the basic idea of such a “year”, the committee also wants it to embrace the notion of intergenerational solidarity. For this reason they propose to change the title for the 2012 year for active ageing to “European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations”.
In order to promote active ageing and do more to boost the potential of the rapidly growing population in their late 50s and above, MEPs suggest that national, regional and local authorities as well as social partners, companies and civil society should organise conferences and events, campaigns and exchange of information and best practice.
MEPs are of the opinion that active ageing also implies developing education and lifelong learning, age-friendly working conditions and supporting the role of older people in family life and society as a whole.
Finally, the parliamentary committee trusts that the EU, its member states and all stakeholders will use the European Year as a springboard for developing new solutions and policies. Age management strategies, family-friendly policies and activities highlighting the importance of preventive health and healthy lifestyles should be among the priorities, MEPs say.
Background. According to Eurostat demographic projections, the active population is expected to decline by about 6.8% (i.e. 20.8 million people) by 2030. This means that, when that happens, there will only be two people of working age (from 15 to 64) to meet the needs of a retired person (over 65), instead of four people as is the case today. This could increase pressure on public budgets and pension systems, as well as on social and care provision for older people, an EP press release states. Furthermore, old age is often associated with illness and dependence, and older people can feel excluded from employment as well as from family and society. (G.B./transl.jl)