Policy and campaigns > The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012
The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012
CEV is delighted that 2012 has been declared the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. As a member of the EY2012 Coalition, CEV is committed to the objectives of the year, particularly as credence is given to the role of volunteering in participation in the community, the cultivation of social networks, the development (and sharing) of skills and the contribution to personal wellbeing.
As the population of Europe lives longer, and stays healthier than ever before, we are presented with many opportunities for older adults to participate in society in a fulfilling, meaningful, secure, and independent way. However, politicians and stakeholders are faced with many challenges if they are to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity for such active ageing. EY2012 will be looking to raise awareness of issues related to active ageing and to work to ensure that decision makers set goals and take action with regard to active ageing.
CEV would like to highlight that there has indeed already been reference to, and endorsement of, the potential role of volunteering in active ageing. This can be seen in two recent publications by EU institutions. For example in the European Commission’s communication dated 20th September 2011, on ‘EU Policies and Volunteering: Recognising and Promoting Crossborder Voluntary Activities in the EU,’ it is stated that the Commission is "willing to further explore possibilities to strengthen the link between volunteering and health/welfare, in particular with regard to the ageing society."
Likewise, in the European Council Conclusions, dated 3rd October 2011, entitled ‘The role of voluntary activities in social policy,’ comments are included on the role of volunteering in "supporting active and dignified ageing." It also states that volunteering can play a role in the EY2012 objectives and initiatives.
We saw some inspiring examples of volunteering being used as part of active ageing and in bridging generation gaps at the CEV General Assembly in Cluj Napoca (Romania) in May 2005, hosted by the Pro Vobis. The conference 'Volunteering for all ages – Summit of generations' shed new light on differences among European countries regarding the involvement of elderly people in volunteering activity. Opportunities, differences and difficulties of volunteering for all ages were the topic of the conference.
The highly successful ‘Think Future, Volunteer Together’ project, of which CEV was a partner, represents an inspirational example of where volunteering can be indispensible in active ageing. This project, which took place between December 2007 and December 2009, was funded by the European Commission. It recognised volunteering as a major tool in active ageing and the contribution to society that the senior population can have. There was an exchange of 100 volunteers over the age of 55 among 5 EU countries - Italy, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, followed by the small scale projects implemented by volunteers on the basis of their experiences learned abroad. The project was designed to promote active ageing and community engagement. A new and strong attention to the potential of senior volunteering emerged.
To mark the approaching start of the European Year 2012, AGE-Platform and the European Year 2012 Coalition (comprised of approximately 40 European organisations) have released the Manifesto for an Age-Friendly European Union. The document outlines the benefits that would be achieved from an age-friendly European Union, and calls on the European Union to ‘mainstream the promotion of an age-friendly environment’ in policy and funding opportunities. International and European decision makers are asked to ‘get involved!’ and national governments are called on to ‘empower, involve, implement!’ programmes that enhance solidarity between generations. As a member of the EY2012 Coalition, CEV signed this Manifesto and is fully committed to the objectives outlined in it.
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAUNCH OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR FOR ACTIVE AGEING AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN GENERATIONS 2012
BRUSSELS, January 16, 2012- As a committed promoter of volunteering across Europe and as a member of the Coalition for the European Year 2012 , the European Volunteer Centre (CEV) looks forward to contributing to the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012. The European Year 2012 offers an immense opportunity to capitalise on the sustained efforts invested throughout the European Year of Volunteering 2011 regarding active participation irrespective of age.
The European Volunteer Centre (Centre Européen du Volontariat – CEV) welcomes the inauguration of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, with its opening conference ‘Stay active - what does it take?’ in Copenhagen, Denmark on 18th-19th January 2012. As a member of the Coalition for the European Year 2012, CEV continues to promote volunteering as one of the core elements of active ageing, thus sustaining the momentum of the European Year of Volunteering 2011. The close relationship between the two years is clear, with volunteering having an integral role in both active ageing and intergenerational solidarity.
“Volunteering (at any age) can contribute to improving relationships between generations and knocking down the negative perceptions that we may have of others. Volunteering offers a chance to learn from each other,” highlighted Martijn Pakker, CEV Director. “We are pleased to see Europe’s continued commitment to volunteering, as is demonstrated in the priorities of 2011, 2012 and possibly even 2013 – the European Year of the Citizen.” Senior volunteering fosters participation in society, a central theme of the year. It prevents isolation of the elderly, contributes to better physical and mental health, happiness, self-esteem and self-satisfaction.
Combating prejudices towards the elderly and promoting intergenerational solidarity, volunteering strengthens the ties between young and old through common projects. In fact, one third of European citizens believe that volunteering maintains and reinforces social cohesion. As an example, CEV Member organisation The Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council will be involved in the annual ‘Elder’s Parliament’ in Cyprus, this year dedicated to the European Year 2012. This ‘parliament’ brings together civil society and NGOs with an interest in improving the welfare of the elder population.
"Everyone can volunteer, young or old. A good portion of energy, some brains, guts and personality make someone a good volunteer, not the age. Older volunteers can bring in their wisdom and life experience, strengthening volunteering for all!" says Eva Hambach, CEV President.
However, there will be challenges ahead if we are to keep volunteering at the forefront of the contribution to active ageing, and ensure that barriers to senior volunteering are identified and minimised. Current trends towards increases in retirement age, for example, can represent a threat to volunteer involvement. Likewise, according to the January 2012 Special Eurobarometer 378, just 27% of Europeans over the age of 55 undertake voluntary work.
Please also find the European Year 2012 Coalition’s Joint Press Release on the AGE-Platform website.
The Coalition Roadmap will be disseminated at the opening conference in Copenhagen this week.
About CEV:
The European Volunteer Centre (Centre européen du volontariat, CEV) is the European network of nearly 100 national, regional and local volunteer centres and volunteer support agencies across Europe, that work together to support and promote voluntary activity. Through our network we reach out to over 17,000 volunteer organisations, associations and other voluntary and community groups. CEV channels the collective priorities and concerns of its member organisations to the institutions of the European Union. It also acts as a central forum for the exchange of policy, practice and information on volunteering.
CEV’s vision is a Europe in which volunteering is central in building a cohesive and inclusive society based on solidarity and active citizenship. Our mission is to create an enabling political, social and economic environment in Europe for the full potential of volunteering to be realised.
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Contact:
Andreea Nagy
Junior Communications Officer
(+32 2) 511 75 01
Emily Pearson
Communications Intern
(+32 2) 511 75 01
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