On Friday 29 April 2011, 450 delegates - national and local public authorities, businesses, civil society organisations, academics - from across the EU will gather in Brussels to attend the EU Conference on "Towards the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (EY2012)," which will mark the 3rd European Day of Solidarity between Generations. On this occasion, the EY2012 coalition of stakeholders, comprised of citizens’ groups, social actors and business representatives active at EU level will present its objectives and recommendations on how to achieve a society for all ages where women and men are empowered to remain active in the labour market and able to contribute to their communities enjoying a dignified old age.

“Today, more than ever, there is great public interest for issues related to the demographic challenge and its impact on relations between generations. Who should pay for our ageing population? Should older workers clear the way to make jobs available to younger workers? Should retirement age be postponed? Such questions arise from the rapid ageing of our European populations and are aggravated by the austerity context. We need to find innovative solutions to support active ageing if we want to avoid tensions between age groups and make our current European social models sustainable and fair for all generations” said Anne-Sophie Parent, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe, leader of the coalition.

And Jana Hainsworth, Secretray General of coalition member Eurochild, added: "Eurochild is committed to the vision of a society for all, shared by members of the 2012 coalition. The foundations for active ageing are laid in childhood – from pregnancy onwards. Support for progressive family policies and investment in early childhood is therefore an important part of the equation. We want a society where people of all ages feel valued and empowered so they have control over their own well-being and are recognized for their contribution to society. Our specific focus on children’s rights can help achieve that goal." 

Since 2008, the coalition has been responding to the current demographic challenge by raising awareness of the relevance of enhancing cooperation and solidarity between generations. The coalition also actively campaigned to include the intergenerational dimension in the scope of the European Year 2012.

To support its call and ensure a lasting impact for the EY2012, the coalition is launching a joint leaflet on the EU Year 2012, which will be presented at the EU conference on 29th April. The objective of this publication is to inform the public about the EY2012 and to mobilize as many stakeholders as possible to support the Year’s objectives of active ageing at work, active ageing in the community and support to independent living. The leaflet also proposes recommendations and examples of good practices at all levels, and it explains how everyone can get involved in the Year and promote it.

The EY2012 Coalition is convinced that ageing demography is a challenge which requires the involvement of all stakeholders in order to develop solutions that suit all age groups. Everyone has a role to play and should contribute in order to allow a holistic approach to ageing and create a society in which all generations are equally included and empowered to participate according to their capacities.
The joint EY2012 publication is available online in English and French. Printed copies of the leaflet can be requested after 29th April at AGE secretariat (info@age-platform.eu).

END

• The EU Day on Solidarity between generations is celebrated across the EU with various events at national and local levels. If you wish to get more information, please visit AGE website and the Website of the EU conference "Towards the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012)"
• The conference will be webstreamed and can be followed in English, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish. A link will be available on the day of the conference.
• About the EY2012 Coalition
  The EY2012 Coalition, led by AGE Platform Europe, currently brings about 20 European organisations who share a common vision of a society for all ages. The Coalition believes that this European Year will be an important occasion to fight age discrimination and address demographic change in a way that is fair and sustainable for all generations. The Year will promote innovative solutions to the current economic and social challenges facing the European ageing population. It will also help empower older people to age in good physical and mental health and to contribute more actively to the labour market and to their communities.
• Being a member of the EY2012 coalition, Eurochild is a network of 135 organisations and individuals working in and across Europe (35 countries) to improve the quality of life of children and young people. Eurochild's work is underpinned by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• For further information contact: Björn Becker (Information and Communication Officer) at bjoern.becker@eurochild.org or +32 (0)498 53 00 53

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