17.2.2011   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51/55

1.1

The EESC welcomes the proposal to designate 2012 the European Year for Active Ageing. However, this title and the idea behind it do not convey what the EESC thinks this year should be about, namely that ageing should not only be active, but also healthy, dignified and enjoyable. Hence, ‘active’ ageing should not be seen just as the possibility of prolonging working life or social involvement. The Commission is therefore asked to word a less restrictive title that incorporates these broader quality-of-life dimensions.

1.2

European years as they have so far been constituted and implemented cannot be an entirely satisfactory model. The various events and initiatives must be even more visible and more effectively organised.

1.3

As it stands, the Commission's proposal provides for no clear coordination at European Union level. Yet, coordination by a central and responsible body is vital to ensure that the initiative makes its mark and has a lasting effect.

1.4

Central coordination is also needed for putting together a budget and allocating resources. The EESC would like to see a tangible budget framework here.

1.5

If the European Year 2012 is to deliver benefits, the terms ‘ageing’, ‘active’, ‘healthy’ and ‘dignified’ need to be harmonised across Europe. Measures that are comparable can only be introduced if there is a common understanding of what these principles mean.

1.6

The EESC welcomes the involvement of the European Parliament, the Member States, the EESC and the Committee of the Regions, as set out in Article 5. The EESC sees itself as being especially fitted to playing a leading role when it comes to awareness-raising measures and steering constructive debates between social partners and organised civil society and passing on the outcomes of these. In particular, the Committee has in mind the creation of an observatory to assess events at European and national level, thereby supporting a ‘European Alliance for Active Ageing’, which has also been proposed and which should be tasked with coordinating initiatives at Union level. The EESC could also take on the role of an ‘Ambassador for the Year’. It would also be useful to hold a conference on the most important substantive aspects of the year, the conclusions of which should be incorporated into an own-initiative opinion drafted by the observatory.

2.1

The challenges thrown up by the demographic change facing the Member States have been under discussion for a number of years now in both the European Commission and the EESC. Key topics have included: solidarity between generations, older workers, healthcare, care of the elderly and long-term care, violence against older people, lifelong learning, the needs of older people and the effects of the ageing population on health and social systems (1).

2.2

The proposal to make 2012 the European Year for Active Ageing was made to follow up on the goals of the most recent Council presidencies, the Europe 2020 strategy and the European Years 2010 (European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion) and 2011 (European Year of Volunteering). The EESC agrees that ‘for active ageing’ is an effective short title for the year and that it implicitly includes the principle of ‘solidarity between generations’. Nevertheless, the short title does not encompass the multiplicity of topics addressed.

2.3

‘Active ageing’ is defined by the World Health Organisation as ‘the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age’ (2). This definition makes it clear that the main way to promote active ageing is by ensuring that people remain healthy and independent as they get older. Opportunities for participation of older people can then be increased a) on the labour market, through improved working conditions, and b) in society, through the dismantling of forms of social exclusion and through voluntary work. At the same time, active ageing is inconceivable without a minimum degree of security. For this reason, the EESC is convinced that a title such as ‘European Year for active, healthy and dignified ageing’ would convey much more.

2.4

In the course of drafting the opinions referred to above (3), the EESC always involved the relevant DG in its discussions. It therefore welcomes the fact that, for the year 2012 too, the Commission is also planning to let all the relevant DGs, with their corresponding structural and financial resources, take part. It is important that this be done in a coordinated manner.

2.5

In this connection, the EESC welcomes the fact that the subject of the European Year 2012 will be discussed further in both the Healthy Ageing: Consumer Empowerment for Active Ageing (4) workshop and during the Third European Demography Forum (5).

2.6

The EESC also welcomes the envisaged three-year timeframe (2011 to beginning of 2014). This extended period will help to entrench the subject in all important policy areas.

2.7

It further welcomes the thematic priorities named in the proposal. Necessary additions to the content will be set out when discussing Article 3.3 – Content of measures.

3.1.1

For a long time, public discussion of demographic change saw population ageing as a burden on society generally and on the social and health systems in particular. This negative view is beginning gradually to change. The potential of older people is increasingly coming to the fore and the opportunities afforded by an ageing society given greater prominence.

3.1.2

However, the positive aspects that demographic change brings with it can only benefit both ageing people themselves and society as a whole if people have the opportunity to age in good health and security. Only in this way can they actively make the most of their potential and make a contribution in terms of intergenerational solidarity. Only the kind of title suggested in point 2.3 would accommodate these prerequisites.

3.1.3

If the European Year 2012 is to deliver benefits, the terms ‘ageing’, ‘active’, ‘healthy’ and ‘dignified’ need to be harmonised across Europe. Measures that are comparable can only be introduced if there is a common understanding of what these principles mean.

3.2.1

‘Active’ ageing should not be understood merely as an opportunity to prolong working life or participation in society through voluntary unpaid activities. Rather, it should be about recognising and valuing the very diverse contributions that older people make to society and avoiding social exclusion. Among these contributions are the financial and or/social support given to younger members of the family, caring for partners and friends, spiritual and artistic creativity and innovation, handing down experience and values, and much more. All of these things are possible even with a certain degree of health and other impairment. Such constraints only make these contributions all the more laudable.

3.2.2

In this connection, the Committee welcomes and endorses the objectives set out by the Commission, namely: 1) creating better working conditions for older workers, 2) promoting social commitment, and 3) supporting healthy ageing. It thinks, however, that a further objective should be included: that of ageing in security and dignity.

3.2.3

The EESC also thinks that the measures planned to attain these goals are the right ones. What would be desirable is a targeted sequence of:

3.3.1

The EESC thinks the measures set out in Article 3 of the proposal are sound. However, they are too broadly worded, framed in similar terms to previous European years and could equally well grace any other campaign. They should be capable of winning over the public and not be just for the initiated. Incorporating some of the proposals from the recent consultation could ensure a greater public impact. In addition, the EESC proposes bringing the following issues, covered in earlier opinions, into the broader discussion:

3.3.2

A number of strategies and initiatives are needed to achieve the objectives in the proposed areas:

3.4.1

The prompt appointment of national coordinators (by March 2011 at the latest) is absolutely crucial to ensure adequate coordination of national activities. Each Member State has to ensure that the national coordination centre brings on board a broad spectrum of stakeholders at national, regional and local level as well as smaller organisations and players and informs these about submitting applications, the procedures and funding opportunities.

3.5.1

The EESC acknowledges the Commission's coordination activities at EU level referred to in this article. It is concerned, however, that in the Commission's proposal as it stands there is no visible coordination of the various DGs and at EU level. Coordination by a central and responsible body is vital to ensure the initiative makes its mark and has a lasting effect.

3.5.2

In addition, the following measures are also considered necessary:

3.6.1

As a theme, active, healthy and dignified ageing must follow up on the European years that precede it – 2010 and 2011 – and be seen in this broader perspective, since both combating poverty and supporting voluntary activity are directly linked with active, healthy and dignified ageing.

3.7.1

The drafting of a report – for the beginning of 2014 at the latest – evaluating the European Year is expressly welcomed. For this – as for other programmes – procedures need to be developed to bring to an end measures that have proved ineffective.