2012: The European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity (NEW UPDATE)
Every year the Commission expresses its commitment to a certain social European challenge. The year 2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Active ageing is defined by the World Health Organisation as the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.
Active ageing can provide the opportunity to the elderly to:
- Stay in the work force and share their experience;
- Keep playing an active role in society;
- Live as healthy and fulfilling lives as possible.
The European year, a time for reflection
The European year provides the chance to reflect on the way
Europeans are living longer and staying healthier than ever
before. What opportunities but also adjustments brings this
with it?
Besides the question on active ageing it is also important to
maintain solidarity between generations in societies with rapidly
increasing numbers of older people.
The European Year of Active ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity
aims to raise awareness for these issues and encourage policymakers
and stakeholders to take active measures for dealing with them. The
challenge for policymakers and stakeholders is to improve
opportunities for active ageing in general and for living
independently. It is necessary to adapt an integrated approach
acting in areas like employment, health care, social services,
adult learning, volunteering, housing IT services and transport.
Reference material
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2012: The European Year of Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity
26 Jan 2012, pdf, 99KB