making the link between eyv2011 and ey2012 for older volunteering ‘people in diaconia network’...
TRANSCRIPT
Making the link between EYV2011 and
EY2012 for older volunteering
‘People in Diaconia Network’ meetingEurodiaconiaBrussels, 8 November 2011
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Tour de table
What activities have you been involved in during EY2011
What do you believe active ageing can offer (individuals, society…)?
Initiatives to explore older volunteering: Intergroup on Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity meeting
Met on 21 September 2011 to discuss ‘Enhancing the participation of older volunteers through the 2011 European Year of Volunteering’
Highlighted important contribution that older volunteers bring to society
Considered how best to remove current obstacles to volunteering among older people
Reflected on benefits that volunteering brings for older people and how EYV2011 links into aims of EY2012 to promote active ageing
Intergroup on Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity: Resolution on importance of older volunteering Endorsed by all Intergroup Co-Chairs and Martin
Kastler MEP, rapporteur for the EP report on the EY2012
Recalls that 73% of older workers say they want to get involved in volunteering yet only 44% of retired people actually volunteer
Considers volunteering as vital component of active ageing which needs to be actively encouraged
Includes number of recommendations to EU and stakeholders at national and local level to enhance volunteering opportunities for older people
New AGE position paper : Active ageing through older volunteering
Launched at Intergroup on Ageing meeting on 21 September 2011
Momentum created by EYV2011 should be built on to facilitate older people's engagement in community and volunteering activities in EY2012
Older volunteering needs and deserves targeted support and an enabling policy environment
Available at: http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/2011_older_volunteers_position_Final.pdf
Exploring synergies
between EYV2011 and
EY2012
‘Our rapidly ageing population means that decision-makers must take urgent action to encourage all generations to be more active in their communities and also in society more generally. As life expectancy goes up, active ageing should be encouraged through volunteering and is an opportunity to engage all citizens regardless of their age.’
Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General, AGE
21 September 2011
Objectives of
European Year on
Active Ageing and
Intergenerational
Solidarity in 2012?
Promote active ageing in employment
Promote active ageing in the community through volunteering and caring
Promote healthy ageing and independent living
Enhance solidarity between generations in order to create a society for all ages
What does active ageing
mean?
World Health Organization definition (2002)
Process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age
Allows people to:
- realise their potential for wellbeing throughout their lives
- participate in society according to their needs, desires and capabilities
- be provided with adequate protection, security and care when they need assistance
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What does intergenerational solidarity mean?
Intergenerational solidarity refers to the mutual support and cooperation between different age groups in order to achieve a society where people of all ages have a role to play in society and identifying their needs.
Through intergenerational solidarity all can benefit from their community’s economic and social progress on an equal basis.
What does an ageing society mean?
Society to adapt to needs of ageing population
Tackle new difficulties faced by other age groups so all
generations will be able to support each other
Collectively review policies and practices:
- town planning, rural development, public transport, access to
health care, social protection, employment, civic participation,
leisure, etc.
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Demographic change is an opportunity
Can bring innovative solutions to current economic and social challenges
Empowering older people to:
- age in good health
- contribute more actively to the labour market
- be move involved in their communities
Will help us cope with demographic ageing in a way that is fair and sustainable for all generations.
EY2012 Stakeholders’
Coalition
More than 40 European organisations who share a common vision of a society for all ages
Leaflet to explain objectives of EY2012 and role for stakeholders + showcase good practice (launched 29 April 2011)
Gathering good practice examples for Commission website on EY2012 (launched 29 April 2011)
Press pack to explain objectives of EY2012
Manifesto on EY2012 (to be launched at EP event on 7 November 2011)
Roadmap for EY2012 (to be launched at Opening Conference of EY2012 in Copenhagen: 18-19 January 2012)
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Leaflet published together with
the EY2012 Coalition to:
Set the context for EY 2012
Explain the Coalition’s
objectives
Give recommendations and
examples of best practices
EY 2012 Stakeholders’ Coalition
Manifesto
A few key points:
Promote a vision of a society for all ages where can play an active part and enjoy equal rights and opportunities
Achieving a society for all ages is a collective responsibilityEU should mainstream the promotion of age-friendly environments in
all relevant EU policy processes and funding programmes to support action at all levels
EU, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and WHO-Europe should coordinate their actions to adopt a “European Strategy for Active and Healthy Ageing and an Age-friendly EU”
National, regional and local actors should develop plans to promote age-friendly environments in response to demographic change
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Stakeholders’ Coaliton Roadmap
Political document to set the direction for EY2012 and beyond
Currently being finalised by Stakeholders’ Coalition
Will be launched at Danish Presidency Opening Conference of EY2012 in Copenhagen on 18-19 January 2012
Content:
Will set out what the different political levels can do to support the goal of achieving an Age-Friendly EU by 2020
Will consider areas for action under the key themes of EY2012 including in areas of advocacy work, awareness raising, networking and capacity building
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AGE Platform Europe’s objective: An
age-friendly EU: our goal by 2020
Making the labour place more inclusive
Supporting the active participation of all age groups in society
Promoting a positive image of older people
Organising our social protection systems to ensure that older people can enjoy a dignified live
Adapting our urban environment and transport systems
Promoting the concept of Design-for-All to be applied to all mainstream goods and services
Reinforcing the protection of vulnerable dependent older people through the promotion of quality long-term care
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A first joint
initiative
Joint publication of the European
Commission, the Committee of the
Regions and AGE Platform Europe:
To explain what can local and
regional actors do to support active
ageing and solidarity between
generations.
To list EU Funding instruments for
active ageing projects and give
example of already existing projects.
Examples of other activities linked to
active ageing
European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing
Volunteering (EY2011)
Pension issues
Carers’ leave directive
Campiagn for minimum income for older people (EY2010)
Work on « Design for All »: how to make goods and services answer
users’ needs
Link with the Accessibility Act and the UN Convention of the Rights of
People with Disabilities
Involvement in research projects to promote end users involvement
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How can you contribute to EY
2012?
Join our campaign!
Use EU Day of Solidarity between Generations (29 April) as opportunity to show link between promoting active ageing and encouraging intergenerational solidarity
Integrate EY2012 campaign activity into work programme
Share your Youtube clips, quotes, reports, events, publications by posting them on the Commission’s EY2012 website: http://ec.europa.eu/social/ey2012.jsp?langId=en
Join the Stakeholder Coalition: contact Alice Sinigaglia, AGE’s EY2012 Coordinator [email protected]
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Discussion
Questions to consider
Explain how older volunteers contribute to improving
Europe’s social, cultural and environmental welfare?
What concrete actions can be taken during EY2012 to
enhance the contribution of older volunteers?
What is your organisation planning to do to promote active
ageing in the community during EY2012?
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Thank you for your attention
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AGE Platform EuropeRue Froissart 1111040 Brussels, Belgium
Contact: Rachel BuchananE-mail: [email protected]. : +32.2.234.65.53fax : +32.2.280.15.22www.age-platform.eu