By Martin Kastler - 31st January 2012
The common goal should be an age-friendly environment across Europe
Martin Kastler
Solidarity and cooperation are key to successful active ageing, writes Martin Kastler.
The race is on. The 2012 European year for active ageing and solidarity between generations (EY2012) has started. Population ageing is one of the EU’s most important challenges, but also one of the biggest opportunities – and this marks a key moment. For the first time, the population of working age is decreasing, while the amount of people aged 60 and over increases by about two million per year.
Europe needs to create an age-friendly society. We need to focus on healthy ageing, on social inclusion of all generations and on creating an age-friendly labour market offering chances to benefit from the experiences of elder people. We need to intensify the intergenerational dialogue – especially talking about the future of adequate, sustainable and safe pensions for all. Going on, the number of retired people in Europe compared to those financing their pensions is forecast to double by 2060. In fact, the current situation is simply not sustainable.
Europeans need to talk about intergenerational justice as a base for a new social contract between generations. Therefore, one of the key positions of the European parliament was not to focus the European year only on workability of older people and the silver generation, as the European commission had proposed in its first draft. We favour an holistic perspective – and the council followed this position. Now, maintaining the vitality of elder people, respecting the dignity of all, enhancing their involvement in society and removing barriers between generations are the main aims of the EY2012.
A European society valuing active ageing as an integral part of our “European dream” and social economy has to put in place framework conditions allowing for ageing actively but also for ageing while promoting vitality and respecting the dignity of all. Moreover, active ageing can be successful only in a society built on solidarity and cooperation between generations. Together with all relevant stakeholders – including associations, churches and municipalities, enterprises, mutual cooperatives and social partners – the EY2012 should seek to foster a sustainable active ageing culture.
Therefore, the common goal should be an age-friendly environment across Europe. Legally, we must ensure subsidiarity in Europe. Nevertheless, the European parliament will discuss the ‘Seniors in action’ initiative, promoting the cross-border dialogue of older people and their mobility in Europe – for volunteers as well as on the labour market. Success for EY2012 requires the involvement and participation of civil society. Together, and starting locally, we can build a bridge for the common vision on age-friendly Europe.
Active ageing has to become an integral part of the European social model and of the social market economy. It needs to become a cornerstone of the European way of life, based on three pillars: vitality, dignity and solidarity between generations. In order to achieve this, the European year should contribute to changing mentalities and developing ownership and a lasting support for active ageing among all generations. The 2012 European year should be the key to open the doors for a European culture for active ageing across Europe – promoting vitality and respecting the dignity of all. The race is on – let’s go for it.
Martin Kastler is a member of parliament's employment and social affairs committee
