The European Year for Active Ageing:
Meeting the Challenge of Europe’s Ageing Population

Key Speakers

	Ms. Petra Leroy Cadová, Policy Officer, Innovation for Health and Consumers, DG SANCO, European Commission
	Ms. Klara Foti, Research Manager, Living Conditions and Quality of Life unit, Eurofound
	Prof. John Macnicol, Visiting Professor of Social Policy, London School of Economics
	Mr. Rafael de Andrés Medina, Treasurer, Ambient Assisted Living Association
	Prof. Alan Walker, Director of the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme

2012 is designated by the European Commission as the ‘European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations’.

The European Union is experiencing a process of significant demographic change as people live longer and healthier lives. Life expectancy has risen by eight years, and demographic projections forecast a further five-year increase over the next forty years. By the year 2050, it is estimated that 31.3% of the EU population will be 65 or over and those aged 85 or over will rise from 14 million to 19 million by 2020 and 40 million by 2050.

Society faces a number of challenges as a result, and the implications for local, regional and national authorities are serious – there may be an increase in pressure on public budgets and pension systems, as well as on social care and provision for older people. Furthermore, old age is often associated with illness and dependence, and older people can feel excluded from employment as well as from family and society.

Alarmingly, demographic projections by Eurostat indicate a decline of about 6.8% in the number of people of working age by 2030, therefore, two people of working age will be needed to support one retired person. However, these challenges neglect the significant and potential contribution that older people can make to society. Active ageing includes creating more opportunities for older people to continue working and to contribute to society through volunteering. The European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme works towards these goals by engaging older people in education and training to prevent the loss of skills.

Furthermore, the Strategic Implementation Plan launched by the European Commission sets out actions to be implemented to address the challenge of innovation for active and healthy ageing. The Plan ensures that older people receive adequate health care and are able to live independent, mobile and active lives. Health care models should meet the needs of older people whilst being conducive to their independence. Thus, innovation in care such as through the use of Information and Communication Technologies is essential to enhance the quality of life for older people.

This international symposium seeks to raise awareness, stimulate debate and trigger policy discussion around improving the vitality of older people, enhancing their involvement in society and removing barriers between generations. The European Union has a key role to play in areas such as employment, social protection and inclusion, public health, information society and transport, but the primary role is for national, regional and local governments, as well as civil society and the social partners to adopt clear frameworks to promote active ageing.

Public Policy Exchange welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Delegates will:

• Understand and assess the implications of the EU’s ageing population for local, regional and national authorities
• Support the European Commission’s key measures for intergenerational solidarity and raising awareness of active ageing
• Assess innovative ideas in the field of healthcare that are conducive to the changing needs of older people
• Explore how to promote the social inclusion of older people after retirement and examine the ways in which older people can continue to engage in the labour market
• Discuss how new communication technologies can benefit the well-being of older people

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Governmental Organisations and Agencies
• Local and Regional Authority Officers and Councillors
• Health Practitioners
• Social Care Practitioners
• Active Ageing Organisations
• Health Promotion Agencies
• Care Providers
• Mental Health Practitioners
• Patient’s Organisations
• Community Engagement Officers
• Community Relations Advisers
• Social Inclusion Officers
• Disability Practitioners
• Equal Opportunities Officers
• Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Practitioners
• Pensions Organisations
• Legal Advisers
• National Association of Pensioners
• Research Labour Institutes
• Elderly Women’s Activity Centres
• Federations of Elder Associations
• National Societies of Gerontology
• Public Service Pensioner’s Councils
• National Institutes of Adult Continuing Education
• National Centres for Public Health Protection
• National Departments of Health
• Centres of Health Economics
• Campaigning Organisations
• National Senior Citizens Organisations
• Citizen’s Advice
• Welfare and Elderly Federations
• Unions of Retired Persons
• Institutes of Lifelong Learning
• Adult Education Organisations
• Palliative Care Associations
• Charities, Social Enterprises and Cooperatives
• Third Sector Practitioners
• Trade Union Representatives
• Academics and Researchers