European Commission10-10-2010 Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities ─ Unit Social and Demographic Analysis

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Active Ageing and the European Year Active Ageing and the European Year for Active Ageing 2012for Active Ageing 2012

SEVENSEVEN– – Senior European Volunteers Senior European Volunteers Exchange NetworkExchange Network

Detlef GerhardtDetlef GerhardtDG EMPL, Unit ‘Social and Demographic Analysis’DG EMPL, Unit ‘Social and Demographic Analysis’

European Commission

The baby boomers turning 60:

-2.000.000

-1.500.000

-1.000.000

-500.000

0

500.000

1.000.000

1.500.000

2.000.000

2.500.000

3.000.000

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

2013

2015

2017

2019

2021

2023

2025

2027

2029

2031

2033

2035

2037

2039

2041

2043

2045

2047

2049

20-59

60+

60-69

Change over previous year

European Commission

Active Ageing …key challenges and opportunities for tackling population ageing

Challenges:

• Pressure on public budgets and social protection

• Fear that older generations become burden on younger, working- age people

• Old age still associated with isolation, illness and dependency

European Commission

Active Ageing …key opportunities for tackling population ageing

Opportunities:

• People aged 60+ tend to be in better health, higher educational level and better financial situation → mobilise the potential of older people through active ageing

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012…policy context

• EU 2020 strategy: importance of promoting a healthy and active ageing population to allow for social cohesion and higher productivity

• Relevant flagship initiatives:

Digital agenda, Innovation Union, New skills for new jobs, Poverty platform

• Council conclusions on active ageing (13 June 2010)

• Report of the European Parliament :

“The demographic challenge and solidarity between generations” (Mann report, Oct. 2010)

European Commission

European Year 2012:Active Ageing

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012 …Why?

• Need for measures in a wide range of policies at all levels of governance

• EU makes a contribution, but most policy areas falls mainly within the competence of Member States

• EY 2012: seems to be appropriate instrument for achieving specific goals

European Commission

Active Ageing …

European Year 2012

• Active ageing: creating better opportunities and working conditions to – enable older workers to play their part in the

labour market, – combating social exclusion by fostering active

participation in society – encouraging healthy ageing.

European Commission

Active ageing

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012 …objectives

• to raise general awareness of active ageing

• to stimulate debate and develop mutual learning

– good practice

– cooperation and synergies

• to offer a framework for commitment to Member States and stakeholders at all levels

– to develop policies through specific activities

– to commit to specific objectives related to active ageing.

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012 …committing to specific activities and objectives

• Stakeholders at all levels

– 2011: can commit to activities and objectives

– 2012: tangible results can be presented

• Commission

– Mid 2011: set up of a website for the EY (documenting commitments and achievements)

• Examples of types of Commitments - public debate or events to raise awareness- take stock of situation and obstacles - develop an active ageing strategy

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012 …examples for commitments

National governments:• Raise the employment rates of older workers,• Promote access of older people to education and ICT

Local and regional authorities:• Join the Age-friendly City Programme of WHO • Increase opportunities for senior volunteering

Companies and social partners:- Introduce age management strategies

Civil society organisations:- Conduct campaigns, - Exchange of good practice

European Commission

European Year for Active Ageing 2012 …building on existing EU programmes and activities

Healthy ageing and autonomous living• Health Strategy • Research Framework and Ambient Assistant Living Programme• Disability Action Plan• European Regional Development Fund• Action Plan on Urban Mobility

Active ageing through social participation• Grundtvig programme for adult education• European Year of Volunteering 2011• OMC on Social Protection and Inclusion

Active ageing in employment:• European Employment Strategy• European Social Fund

European Commission

For further information please send an e-mailto ec-activeageing2012@ec.europa.eu

Thank you for your attention!