1 AGE Platform – Growing old in Europe: challenges and ways forward – setting the scene Dr. E. Mestheneos, Vice-President AGE-Platform 50+Hellas Madrid 2007

2 What is AGE-Platform? brings together seniors organisations, and other civil society organisations working with and for older people from across the European Union to give a strong and credible voice to the views, needs and interests of older and retired people at national and European level. aims to act as a bridge between its member associations and the EU Institutions, supporting its members in their daily advocacy activities at national level, actively representing their interests and agreed policy positions at European level and raising awareness of the issues that truly concern older people. is a non-profit making international association, financed by membership fees and subsidies from the European Commission.

3 Demographic challenges Every EU country has seen a decline in birth rates and an increase in longevity. Every year 3 months more are added to life expectancy (every ten years 2.5 years. Already a third of the population is over 50, with the greatest proportional growth in those over 80 years of age. Politicians see it as a national issue but it is common throughout EU. Hence the interest at EU level on how to address these new challenges. The debate on population ageing has tended to focus on what are presented as negative quantitative changes : pensions and health care expenditure, pensions and health care expenditure, older worker employment rates - older worker employment rates - old-age dependency ratios etc. old-age dependency ratios etc. Important issues about how politically, economically and socially we manage these, but we should not ignore the qualitative changes we shall need in our societies.

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5 EU and MS Policy and Older Workers EU competes with world – concern with productivity and the availability of labour in the future. Lisbon strategy aims to increase the labour market participation of those over 50 in the labour market – this requires changes in mind sets/attitudes mind sets/attitudes behaviour of employers, HR managers, line managers, policy makers, employment services and older workers themselves. behaviour of employers, HR managers, line managers, policy makers, employment services and older workers themselves. Some MS already succeeding in this aim – high variations in participation rates Employment Policies have to adjust to the ageing population in all areas – pension systems pension systems health and well being at work, health and well being at work, transport and accessibility transport and accessibility training training active employment measures for older workers active employment measures for older workers

6 Older Workers Majority less educated than younger generations but large MS variation and large individual variations. Majority less educated than younger generations but large MS variation and large individual variations. In most M.S. governments and employers provide very low levels of training for older workers. Training often inappropriate, designed for the minds of young people and not those of older learners. In most M.S. governments and employers provide very low levels of training for older workers. Training often inappropriate, designed for the minds of young people and not those of older learners. Lower level of familiarity with ICT. Lower level of familiarity with ICT. Early retirement schemes, available in earlier decades, have influenced expectations. Early retirement schemes, available in earlier decades, have influenced expectations. These schemes also generated negative attitudes amongst managers, line managers and many workers towards the retention, recruitment, career development and training of older workers. These schemes also generated negative attitudes amongst managers, line managers and many workers towards the retention, recruitment, career development and training of older workers. Bad or inadequate management especially in the public sector and in small and medium enterprises works against older workers. Bad or inadequate management especially in the public sector and in small and medium enterprises works against older workers. Age discrimination is probably the most widespread form of discrimination. Legislation is not enough to change this. Age discrimination is probably the most widespread form of discrimination. Legislation is not enough to change this.

7 Confronting an Ageing Workforce. Gathering of Good Practice Examples by Employers to promote Older worker employment – since1995 – dissemination through social partners. Gathering of Good Practice Examples by Employers to promote Older worker employment – since1995 – dissemination through social partners. Age discrimination in employment legislation now in place and being monitored and promoted in all MS. Age discrimination in employment legislation now in place and being monitored and promoted in all MS. Efforts through EQUAL, Article 6 (ESF) Leonardo, Grundvig EU funded projects to find best practices to promote older peoples employment. CAWA a specific detailed study of actions by sector and in cooperation with social partners. Efforts through EQUAL, Article 6 (ESF) Leonardo, Grundvig EU funded projects to find best practices to promote older peoples employment. CAWA a specific detailed study of actions by sector and in cooperation with social partners.

8 AGE-PLATFORMs contribution: Basic Principles. A change of attitudes is needed if society is to become a society for all ages. A change of attitudes is needed if society is to become a society for all ages. Age discrimination is a reality that impacts negatively on the lives of individuals and on our communities and societies; age discrimination must be challenged in all spheres. Age discrimination is a reality that impacts negatively on the lives of individuals and on our communities and societies; age discrimination must be challenged in all spheres. Promotion of real choice in employment Promotion of real choice in employment Older and retired people should be able to speak out on their own behalf. Older and retired people should be able to speak out on their own behalf.

9 Older and/or retired people are not a homogenous group, but rather there is great diversity among older and/or retired people, which must be respected. Older and/or retired people are not a homogenous group, but rather there is great diversity among older and/or retired people, which must be respected. Civil dialogue should recognise and take account of older and retired people. Civil dialogue should recognise and take account of older and retired people. Increased longevity is a tremendous social achievement, which should be welcomed. Increased longevity is a tremendous social achievement, which should be welcomed.

10 We need to recognise, rather than fear, the effects of demographic ageing and reflect seriously on the opportunities and challenges that it poses. We need to recognise, rather than fear, the effects of demographic ageing and reflect seriously on the opportunities and challenges that it poses. The agenda on age should be based on recognition of the fundamental rights of people of all ages The agenda on age should be based on recognition of the fundamental rights of people of all ages

11 The major contribution of older people to society should be recognised and not be rooted exclusively in economic necessity created by demographic ageing of labour markets The major contribution of older people to society should be recognised and not be rooted exclusively in economic necessity created by demographic ageing of labour markets There needs to be a greater recognition and understanding at European level of the impact of European policies on older and/or retired people There needs to be a greater recognition and understanding at European level of the impact of European policies on older and/or retired people

12 AGEs main activities: The fight against Age Discrimination The fight against Age Discrimination Social Protection (Pensions) Social Protection (Pensions) Health and Long Term Care Health and Long Term Care Social Inclusion Social Inclusion Employment Employment Universal accessibility and Independent living: New technologies, transport and the built environment Universal accessibility and Independent living: New technologies, transport and the built environment

13 AGE Vision is of a society for people of all ages where individuals enjoy equal rights in terms of their living conditions, their economic situation, their participation as citizens and their access to goods and services. We believe that the achievement of age equality will not only benefit older individuals as citizens and give the proper value to their wisdom, experience and personal characteristics; it is also in the interest of society in general.

14 Why is the involvement of grass roots organisations important to the work AGE does at EU level? Participation Participation Consulation Consulation Information Information Collaboration Collaboration Commitment Commitment Control Control

15 Towards a European society of all ages

16 Dr. Elizabeth Mestheneos AGE- The European Older Peoples Platform Rue Froissart Bruxelles, Belgique Tel: +32 (0) Mob