CoverAGE

Issue 108 – mid-Oct – mid-Nov 2010

EU Policy Developments ............................................................................................................................... 1

Special Briefing: What EU action to guarantee adequate and sustainable pension systems? ..................……………7
Other news ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
News about AGE .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Publications ................................................................................................................................................... 14
Call for Proposals ......................................................................................................................................... 15

This publication is supported by the European Community Action Programme for employment and social
solidarity PROGRESS (2007-2013). The information contained in this publication does not necessarily
reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission.

EU Policy Developments

Council

European Council plans permanent eurozone crisis

management
On 28 October, the EU heads of state and government agreed on the creation of a permanent eurozone
crisis management mechanism, as requested by France and Germany. This mechanism would be an
intergovernmental tool prepared by the Council and the Commission.
“We recommend a robust and credible permanent crisis mechanism to safeguard the financial stability of
the euro area as a whole”, commented the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy,
adding: “Because even if all the right budgetary and economic measures are taken by everybody, one may
never exclude surprises. Politics is not a zero-risk business”.
In order to make this mechanism possible, a more robust, constitutional basis is needed in the Lisbon
treaty. Some limited changes in the treaty will therefore be required, which will not be subject to a
referendum.
A final decision on how such a mechanism and the changes to the European treaty would operate will be
taken in December so that the whole process can be completed by the summer of 2013.
http://www.euractiv.com/en/euro-finance/leaders-start-work-crisis-resolution-fund-news-499195

Social services of general interest deserve favourable treatment

Given the diversity of national public services in the EU, establishing a common
set of rules for all social services of general interest (SSGI) is not in the agenda.
However, the EU could consider granting SSGIs favourable treatment, as came
out as one of the conclusions of a forum held on 27 and 28 October. For the
Belgian Presidency, which has made social issues one of its priorities, the
various authorities (mutual insurance companies, associations, cooperatives,
social assistance centres...) providing housing services, health services and
assistance deserve a specific approach, or at least favourable treatment in the
interpretation of competition rules.
At the forum, the Commission presented its draft Single Market Act, in which it commits to “adopting, by
2011, a communication accompanied by a set of actions on services of general interest” (proposal 25). In

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this context, it proposes to assess “the possibility of extending universal service commitments to new areas
with regard to developing the essential needs of European citizens”.
Conclusions on the subject will be proposed to Employment and Social Affairs Ministers at the EPSCO
Council on 6 December, with a firm point: the setting up of a special group in the Social Protection
Committee, which would make it possible to establish permanent dialogue between the 27, the
Commission, Parliament and representatives from the sector.
http://www.eutrio.be/3rd-forum-social-services-general-interest-ssgi-0

Adoption of new Employment Guidelines

On 21 October, the Council adopted new employment guidelines, taking into account the advice and
amendments voted by the European Parliament in September. These employment guidelines are the key
instrument of the European Employment Strategy to achieve the Europe 2020 Strategy’s objectives (notably
the first objective which aims to reach an employment rate of 75% by 2020). They serve as a basis for the
structural reforms Member States have to carry out and will guide them in elaborating their national reform
programme (which have to be finalized by April 2011) and in setting national objectives.
The objectives of the guidelines are to increase participation in employment and reduce structural
unemployment, develop qualified workers that respond to the needs of the labour market, promote quality
employment and improve the performance of education systems (including lifelong learning).
The new Employment Guidelines are of particular relevance to AGE’s work to support older workers
across the EU. For that reason, AGE has been feeding into the process leading towards the
development of those guidelines by sending recommendations and suggestions for amendments to
the various EU institutions.
For more information: http://www.milquet.belgium.be/nl/news/european-council-employment-ministers-
adoption-new-european-employment-strategy-upcoming-years

4th Equality Summit organised by the Belgian Presidency on

Employment Directive
th
On 15-16 November, the Belgian Presidency organised the 4 Equality Summit on the
impact of the Employment Directive 2000/78 and the Race Directive 2000/43. The aim of
the Summit was to take stock of the policies implemented to promote non-discrimination
and diversity in employment, by examining which tools and practices proved most
efficient.
One recurrent theme was the need to take a holistic approach to non-discrimination
legislative. Several speakers called for the adoption of a horizontal directive to address discrimination on
the grounds of age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief in the areas of social protection,
education and access to and supply of goods and services which are commercially available to the public. It
is not enough to have legislative protection discrimination only in employment.
Commissioner Andor referred to the need to consider the impact of the ageing population and shrinking
workforce as this means a loss of important source of skills. The European Year 2012 for active ageing will
take stock of best practices and consider how these can be more widely applied.
Anne-Sophie Parent, AGE Director, took part in a workshop on the Contribution and role of public
employers in equality and diversity policies in which she gave a few concrete examples of public sector
initiatives to support the employment of older workers in Finland, UK and France. Those local and national
programmes included a range of initiatives, which had proved to have positive impact on older workers’
image, motivation and involvement. However Ms Parent also raised the question of how much flexibility
public employers have to introduce such measures at a time of huge budget constraints and cuts in public
servants staff costs, a concern that was shared by the respresentatives of public agencies who took part in
the workshop.
Link to Commissioner Andor’s presentation:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/655&aged=0&language=EN&guiLa
nguage=en
Link to Anne-Sophie Parent’s presentation:
http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-policy-work/anti-discrimination/lastest-news/1134-equality-summit-2010

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Ministerial Conference on Chronic Diseases
The Belgian Presidency organised a Ministerial Conference on Chronic Diseases ‘Innovative approaches
for chronic illnesses in public healthcare systems’ on 20 October 2010. Chronic diseases are an important
cause of mortality and are likely to increase in the coming years with significant economic implications. The
objective of this event was to raise awareness on this issue and bring stakeholders together to share
experiences. The discussion included: the role of new technologies to prevent hospital re-admissions and to
improve the patient’s ability to live independently, the importance of integration of care and multidisciplinary
cooperation, the importance of increased empowerment of patients and their role in care systems
More info at: http://www.eutrio.be/ministerial-conference-innovative-approaches-chronic-illnesses-public-
health-and-healthcare-systems
On that occasion, HOPE, the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation, published its
report “Chronic diseases, a clinical and managerial challenge”. The report discusses the
current revision of the traditional patterns of care to continue guaranteeing cost effectiveness
and quality of care.
For more info on HOPE: http://www.hope.be/

European Parliament

Discussions in EMPL committee on the European Year 2012 for active ageing
On 9th November, the EMPL committee discussed the proposal by the European Commission on the
European Year (EY) for active ageing. A representative from the European Commission (EC), Ralf Jacob
(Head of Unit) summarized the proposal by saying that the EY aimed at tackling the negative image of older
people seen as a burden to the society. Solidarity between generations and age-friendly environments can
help to improve the image of older people in fostering their contribution in society, and concern a wide
range of policies and of stakeholders. This year will include not only events around active ageing but will
lead to concrete commitments by Member states, which would begin in 2011. Martin Kastler, MEP and
rapporteur on the report of the European Parliament for the European Year 2012, welcomed the EC’s
proposal and was happy that the EC did not only focus on employment but also support a more active role
for older people in the society in general. The other MEPs highlighted that the European Year needed a
budget line and that it would be interesting to link the European Year with the debates on pensions and on
anti-discrimination. For more information, please go to the following link:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5870592

AGE welcomes adoption of Thomas Mann report on ‘Demographic challenge and

solidarity between generations’
On 11 November, the European Parliament adopted at a large majority Thomas
Mann’s own initiative report on ‘Demographic challenge and solidarity between
generations’ (440 votes in favour, 122 votes against and 43 abstentions). The
report advocates a better distribution of needs and responsibilities between
generations and includes very innovative proposals such as the Fifty-plus
employment pact (including targeted measures to achieve by 2020 an employment rate of 55% for people
aged over 50) , the European Youth guarantee (which would limit their inactivity over time), the generational
accounting and it supports the launch of a European Year on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity
on 2012.
AGE Platform Europe welcomes the report as it reflects the recommendations of youth, women and
older people’s organisations and promotes the vision of a society for all ages based on greater
solidarity and cooperation between generations. AGE is also pleased that the report includes in
article 76 a reference to the proposed new antidiscrimination legislation to cover age, disability,
religion and sexual orientation in access to goods and services.
“Such legislation is needed to protect both young and older people from age discrimination in access to
essential goods and services and to promote an environment that will remove all barriers to their full
participation”, said Anne-Sophie Parent, Director of AGE Platform Europe, at a press conference on the
report on 11 November.
The report is available online at the following link:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P7-TA-2010-
0400+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

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To read AGE Platform Europe’s press release: http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-a-the-media/age-
communication-to-the-media-press-releases/1126-age-platform-europe-welcomes-the-european-
parliaments-call-for-a-greater-solidarity-between-generations.

Parliament says yes to minimum income for fighting poverty

In the backdrop of the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October and
the European Year against Poverty 2010, the European Parliament adopted on 20 October a report calling
for the introduction of a minimum income system in all EU member states in an effort to fight poverty.
This would consist of specific measures to support people whose income is insufficient, by way of financial
support and facilitation of access to services, so as to guarantee an appropriate standard of living and
encouraging social inclusion. The resolution explains that appropriate minimum income systems must be
established at a minimum of 60% of the national median income. It also calls on the Commission to present
an initiative in this area, which should lead to the elaboration of an EU action plan.
MEPs furthermore seek to draw attention to the increasing number of working poor. They underlined the
fact that the subsistence salary should always be higher than the poverty threshold and that workers who
remain below it should have unconditional complimentary benefits.
“The fact that, at this stage, the proposal received such large support from the Members of the Parliament
gives us great encouragement to continue this campaign on Adequate Minimum Income”, said Ludo
Horemans, President of the European Anti-Poverty movement (EAPN) in a press release. Fintan Farrell
went on calling the EU to strengthen its commitment in adopting a framework Directive on Adequate Income
schemes.
AGE welcomes the MEPs adoption and hopes this will support AGE campaign for an Adequate
Minimum Income in old age, which is an important tool to fight poverty among older citizens who, in
many Member States, are at greater risk of poverty
To access the Parliament’s report:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?language=EN&reference=A7-0233/2010

Adoption of Françoise Grossetête’s report on cross-border health care

On 27 October the ENVI Committee voted with a large majority in support of Ms
Grossetête report on access and rights to cross-border healthcare. The vote strikes a
balance between guaranteeing patients' rights to cross-border healthcare and
safeguarding the provision of quality health services at national level. Patients have the
right to get hospital treatment in other member states and be reimbursed as they would
for receiving the treatment at home, however this right should not be at the expense of
the sustainability of national health systems.
Concrete advantages for patients include: (1) if treatment is covered by the national health care system,
patients will be able to receive treatment in another EU member state and be reimbursed without prior
authorisation; (2) for hospital healthcare (surgery) or care involving high-technology materials, Member
States will be able to decide, in certain circumstances, whether to introduce a system where patients will
have to receive prior administrative authorisation before accessing health care in question abroad; (3)
patients will be guaranteed “fair and quick” procedures, particularly with regard to the effective
reimbursement of costs incurred; (4) national contact points will provide cross-border health care
information in all member states; (5) in some areas, European cooperation will allow EU citizens to access
highly specialised health care, which they would not have been able to benefit from otherwise (for instance
in the treatment of rare diseases).
More info at : http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/story_page/066-89972-298-10-44-911-
20101025STO89929-2010-25-10-2010/default_en.htm

Final conference of the EUSTACEA project on 17 November in the European

Parliament : a huge success !
Around 100 people attended the EUSTACEA’s project final conference organized in
the European Parliament thanks to the support of Ms. Lynne MEP. This conference
marked the end of the EUSTACEA project and the beginning of the dissemination of
the European Charter of the rights and responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and
assistance, translated in 13 languages. The project also developed an accompanying guide that explains
how the charter can be implemented, which will soon be finalized. The conference gave the floor to various
speakers from different backgrounds (institutions, NGOs, researchers). Ms. Lynne MEP and co-chair of the
Intergroup on Ageing and Intergenerational solidarity hosted and chaired the meeting. Ms. Lynne worked

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hard to get the European Parliament to adopt a Resolution on ‘long-term care for older people’, that calls on
the European Commission to launch a green paper on the fight against elder abuse and safeguarding older
people’s rights and to develop a code of conduct in care homes. The Social Protection Committee was
represented by Davor Dominkus (Director General of the Slovenian Ministry of Social Affairs) who
presented the European Quality Framework for social services of general interest recently adopted by the
SPC. Sven Matske (DG EMPL) announced that the Commission is planning to organise a European
Conference on elder abuse in May 2011 and will issue a staff working paper on LTC in 2011. Manfred
Huber (WHO-Europe) who will take over the porfolio of Healthy Ageing wecomed the initiative and stressed
that WHO-Europe would like to cooperate to help fight against elderabuse and promote the dignity of olde
rpeople in Europe.
The announcement by DG EMPL that the project submitted by AGE on behalf of a consortium of 18
partners from 12 countries for a European Partnership for the wellbeing and dignity of older people raised
the temperature in the room by a few degrees. AGE and the partners of this new project were delighted by
this good news. For more information on the EUSTACEA project: www.age-platform.eu/en/daphne
Or contact Maude Luherne at maude.luherne@age-platform.eu

European Commission

EU Conference on Pensions
On 29 October, the European Commission organised a major EU conference on the future of pensions
which gathered EU and national policy makers, researchers, social partners and civil society
representatives to debate the adequacy and sustainability of pension systems through policies to
encourage active and healthy ageing as well as sound public finances. Anne-Sophie Parent was on a panel
which discussed “How can Europe contribute to adequate and sustainable pensions by promoting active
and healthy ageing?”. Other parallel sessions were organized to discuss the topics of workers’ mobility, the
development of pension funds and the security and transparency of pensions.
This event also offered the opportunity to stakeholders to comment the Commission’s Green Paper on
Pensions. The results of this conference, as well as responses to the consultation launched by the
Commission (from July to mid-November) will provide input for drafting the upcoming White Paper on
Pensions planned to be issued in the first half of 2011.
More info at: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=88&langId=en&eventsId=304&furtherEvents=yes
(More information on this topic in the Special Briefing on page 7)

Commission 2011 work programme

On 27 October, the Commission presented its work programme for 2011 which focuses mainly on exiting
the crisis and restoring growth for jobs, reinforcing consumers’ rights, strengthening the EU external
relationship and assistance and making up budget proposals (for the multi-annual financial framework
2014-2020). Regarding pensions, the Commission plans to identify concrete measures built up from the
results of the consultations launched in 2010 to support Member States in setting up adequate and
sustainable pension reforms for citizens.
To access EC work programme 2011: http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/programmes/index_en.htm

Commission wants to make citizens’ lives easier

On 27 October, the Commission presented its EU Citizenship Report 2010, which
reviews the obstacles faced by citizens trying to access goods and services across
national borders and proposes how they can best be removed. This report identifies 25
measures to be taken to make the lives of its citizens easier when they travel, study,
settle down, marry, vote, get ill or injured, purchase a house or register a car in another EU country.
As part of those measures, the Commission is developing an information web portal (‘Your Europe’) on the
rights of citizens and businesses in the EU:
http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/index_de.htm
The report can be downloaded on the Commission’s website at:
http://ec.europa.eu/citizenship/news/news1149_en.htm
You can access the Commission’s press release at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/10/525&format=HTML&aged=0&languag
e=EN&guiLanguage=en

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 The EU Citizenship Report complements the Single Market Act, which seeks to
increase social cohesion, employment and consumer protection across Europe and
includes an important section on citizens.
For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/smact/index_en.htm
The Commission also announced the publication by end 2010 of a communication
entitled ‘Citizens first’, aimed at identifying and doing away with remaining tax
obstacles for individuals. In 2012, it will adopt a communication on a quality framework for services of
general interest.

Launch of the online consultation on the Europe for citizens Programme 2014 - 2020
On October 27, 2010 the Commission launched a broad online consultation on the next generation of the
"Europe for Citizens" Programme.
The consultation is published on the Interactive Policy Making website and will be open until 5 January
2011. All interested parties - individual citizens, civil society organisations, public authorities and
administrations, research institutions, European and international organisations and others - are invited to
participate in this consultation.
To access the consultation:
http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=Programme&lang=en
(other languages available)

EC strategy to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities

On 15 November, the Commission adopted the European Disability Strategy, which
outlines how the EU and national governments can empower persons with disabilities so
they can enjoy their rights. This plan includes proposals for action to enhance access for
all to public buildings, transport and digital services in the next decade. Specific measures,
such as the mutual recognition of national disability cards, the promotion of
standardization and the more targeted use of public procurement and state aid rules are
proposed. Those social measures were also presented as having a potentially beneficial
impact on the economy in creating new market opportunities.
"To fully participate in our society and economy, persons with disabilities need to have
easier access to public buildings, public transport and to digital services,” says Vice-President Viviane
Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, in the Commission’s press
release. “A very effective option for achieving this is to develop standards for accessible goods and services
at European level and to use public procurement to promote accessible public buildings. Similar measures
have been both a societal and an economic success in the United States. We also need to ensure that
people do not face additional hurdles when they cross a border: a person with a recognised disability who
decides to move to another country should be able to enjoy the same benefits as in his home country, such
as a free or reduced-cost public transport. My goal is a truly barrier-free Europe for persons with disabilities
by 2020."
For more information on the strategy:
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=933&furtherNews=yes
To read the Commission’s press release:
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/10/1505&format=HTML&aged=0&language=E
N&guiLanguage=fr
In January 2010, AGE responded to the open consultation on the preparation of a new EU Disability
Strategy 2010-2020. This contribution can be accessed on AGE website at:
http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-policy-work/accessibility/age-position-statements/1087-age-contribution-
on-a-new-eu-disability-strategy-2010-2020

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 Special Briefing:
What can be done at EU level to guarantee adequate and sustainable pension systems?
Maciej Kucharczyk, AGE Managing Director

Pensions in EU debates
Over the last months, the EU policy agenda has been primarily focused on
how to get the national economies out of the crisis. In this context, the issues
of pensions, their financing and reforms were raised at several policy debates
and events at national and European levels.
The Belgian Presidency’s conference on ‘Assuring adequate pensions and
social benefits for all European citizens’, the EU-research DEMHOW project
on housing equity release and the Commission’s conference on the ‘Green
Paper on adequate, sustainable and safe pensions’ all looked at possible
solutions to strengthen sustainability of public finances while securing adequacy of retirement income.
AGE welcomed the Belgian Presidency’s commitment to implement the Europe 2020 Strategy in a way that
job creation and economic growth objectives support and reinforce the overall social cohesion among
member states, regions and all population groups. The Belgian Presidency also rightly recalled that pension
reforms should not be considered merely as an adjustment factor for public finances, but should rather
focus on how to fulfil their primary role of social safety nets. Strengthening of the social dimension has been
also pledged by the European Commission, reminding member states of their responsibility to guarantee
adequate social protection for all. National social protection, recalled the Commission, should contain
measures aiming both to prevent poverty among most vulnerable older people and to guarantee adequate
replacement rates in pensions.
When looking for complementary sources to finance pensions, the results of the
DEMHOW research project confirmed that reverse mortgages, while bringing
additional income in old age to the “asset-rich”, are not a solution for the “asset-
poor cash-poor”. They should not be therefore pursued as a substitute to an adequate pension income.
However, the EU should seek to remove barriers preventing owners of second homes to release the assets
they have in another MS through reverse mortgage.

Monitoring the impact of the crisis on pensioners

AGE members have been monitoring the impact of the crises on retirees and in particular on their living
standards. Without questioning the full competence of member states in the field social protection field,
AGE feels that the latest financial and economic crisis has shown that European economies are all
interdependent and no member state can any longer guarantee on its own the adequacy, safety and
sustainability of its pension system. EU should play a greater role in ensuring that all governments apply
sound governance rules to manage their public finances and protect current and future pensioners against
financial markets erratic behaviours.

AGE response to the Green Paper on pensions

After having issued a new position on pensions in September 2009, based on members’ common analysis
of social realities in the immediate aftermath of the crisis, AGE responded to the recent Commission’s
consultation on the Green Paper on pensions.
We reiterated our call from 2009 of promoting solidarity and fairness between and within generations as the
way to ensure the long-term sustainability and adequacy of pensions. We also reminded that statutory
mandatory pension systems are best suited to achieve the latter objective. Regarding adequacy of
minimum old-age income for a dignified life, we believe that it should not only be equivalent to at least the
national poverty threshold, but must also address the specific needs people may have when ageing.
Therefore, the EU should help member states develop budget standards for an adequate income in old age,
based on adaptable “basket of goods and services” that older women and men of different age groups need
to live a decent life.

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With the ongoing trend to move from defined-benefit to defined-contribution schemes and the increased
financial risk for scheme members, EU regulation is needed to avoid a detrimental impact on adequacy.
New regulations must also address the discrimination that women, younger and older workers, migrant
workers, short-term and part-time workers, and informal carers suffer in many of such schemes due to their
lack of solidarity and equity elements.
In order to enhance equal access to pension rights for all, it is necessary to propose new forms of work-life
provisions adapted to the specific needs of the 50+, mainly women, who care for dependent relative i.e. a
European directive on carer’s leave should be one of them. AGE also asks to strengthen the EU equality
legislation to combat age and gender discrimination in and outside employment and to remove barriers to
participation. Incentives are also needed to encourage people to work longer (rather than compulsion) and
for employers to offer better working conditions. If automatic adjustment mechanisms based on
demographic change are used to prolong working life, statutory retirement ages should be linked to the
increase in healthy-life years rather than in the overall life expectancy.
Given the growing mobility of workers within the EU, the EU together with member states will have to tackle
remaining barriers to cross-border activity and improve acquisition, preservation and transferability of
pension rights of mobile workers. EU regulation should also ensure that workers have access to reliable
data to make an informed decision before moving cross-border.
The functioning of institutions for occupational retirement provision, the so-called IORPs, must be based on
the principle of equity in order to secure interest of future and current pensioners. AGE called for new
mechanisms to be introduced at EU level to, such as harmonisation of IORPs prudential rules (minimum
yearly return on saving or capital guarantees on deposits), improvement of governance and transparency,
as well as facilitating access to comparable data including for mobile workers.

To conclude our response to the Green Paper, AGE proposed to strengthen the EU governance on
pensions by setting up a European Pension Platform involving representatives of EU institutions (European
Council, Commission and European Parliament), social partners and relevant stakeholders (NGOs, pension
industry and social security actors) and to define clear mechanisms to ensure that this Platform will support
the objectives of the social OMC and feed into Europe 2020.

We hope that the Commission will now continue the work on pensions and will eventually present a
proposal for EU actions, taking into account AGE recommendations.

To access AGE full response to the Green Paper:

http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/AGE_Response_to_GP_Pensions.pdf
For more information, please visit the Commission’s website at:
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=89&newsId=839

--------------------------------------------------------------

MEP interview: Ms Ria Oomen-Ruijten

Member of the Christian Democrats for the Netherlands

1. Regarding the Green Paper's analysis of the EU framework on pensions,

what should the Commission propose as EU action to support Member States
in guaranteeing adequacy of pensions for all when pursuing national pension
reforms?

“I don´t want to set an adequate pension at European level, because the amount required is very dependent
on specific circumstances in the member states. It is important though that citizens have an adequate
pension, so I would like to call upon the member states to define an adequate pension themselves. This
should be a combination between first, second en third pillar.”

2. Considering the Green Paper's proposals to better balance the time spent in work and in
retirement, how could the EU effectively help Member States promote better employment
opportunities and an age friendly labour market for both younger and older female and male
workers?

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“In view of the demographic trends and the need to ensure that pensions can be paid for, it is necessary for
more people to participate in the labour market and to do so for a longer time. I realize that for older
employees performing physically and/or mentally demanding work the labour marktet must offer creative
solutions, such as greater flexibility in the statutory retirement age, part-time pensions or adapted working
conditions. There also is a need for an active policy to prevent discrimination on grounds of age.”

Other news

EU conference presses for mandatory nutritional screening

The European Nutrition Day Conference, entitled ‘Micro-Nutrient
Deficiencies & Malnutrition: Solutions for Key Public Health Challenges’
brought together the European Nutrition for Health Alliance, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition &
Metabolism (ESPEN), the European Parliament and the Belgian Presidency of the European Union on 9
November. On that occasion, they urged governments to do more to tackle malnutrition in Europe by
making nutrition an integral part of public health policies and disease management programmes for chronic
and rare diseases. The conference also called for the drafting of integrated guidelines on nutrition,
mandatory nutritional screening for all hospital patients and recognition of the role of healthy hydration as
forming part of good nutrition.
These conclusions will serve as input to the high-level conference on strategies on nutrition, overweight and
obesity-related health issues, to be held on 8 and 9 December in Brussels, and the conclusions of the
Employment and Social Affairs Council on chronic illnesses, to be adopted at the meeting of European
health ministers, on 6 December.
For more info: http://www.european-nutrition.org/record.jsp?type=event&ID=85

14th European Health Forum Gastein

The 14th European Health Forum held in Gastein, Austria, was the annual opportunity for representatives
from the EU institutions, national policy makers, academics, professionals, industry (mainly but not
exclusively pharma businesses) and NGOs to attend and discuss health issues. This year’s main topics
were ageing and health.
AGE Platform Europe was invited to take part in three different sessions. In a panel discussion on Healthy
ageing, focusing on older people and employment in response to a presentation by Dr K. Kuhn, Germany,
on keeping the ageing labour force healthy, Liz Mestheneos, President of AGE Platform Europe underlined
the continuing problems faced by older (and younger) workers in many regional and national labour markets
with high rates of overall unemployment; the continuing role played by age discrimination evident in the low
rates of training and high rates of long-term unemployment, the continuing use of mandatory retirement
ages and its consequences in devaluing older people and the unacceptable lack of choice and flexibility in
employment opportunities for older people. The Forum session on Healthy Ageing consisted of a
presentation of AGE-Platform's work and focused on the health consequences and trends amongst older
people. AGE President underlined the critical role of health promotion, accessibility, reducing social
exclusion and the importance of ensuring the social inclusion of older people as part of the solution to
demographic ageing. The panel discussion underlined issues like the support of family carers, Alzheimer,
the impact of social inequalities and new technologies
The Final Plenary session included positive statements from the World Health Organisation (WHO)
emphazing that under its new administration they will be reaching out to civil society.
Commissioner Dalli announced the new EU Partnership for healthy and active ageing in which AGE
Platform will continue to play an active role; the goal of increasing healthy life expectancy by 2 years in the
EU MS; the potential of new technologies and health promotion/ prevention; the desirability of reducing
health inequalities and many other formal statements.
Though AGE is an active player amongst all the stakeholders in Brussels, Gastein was a unique opportunity
to meet up and see how best to achieve healthier longer lives. Last year's main theme was the effect of the
economic crisis- next year's is likely to be about the role of social solidarity.
http://www.ehfg.org/congress.html?&L=0
For more information on AGE participation, please contact: julia.wadoux@age-platform.eu

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The European Convention of Fundamental Rights celebrates 60th Anniversary
th th
4 November 2010 marked the 60 anniversary of the European Convention of Fundamental Rights,
offering an opportunity to remind Europeans that the adoption of this convention has improved the lives of
millions of them by bringing about a fundamental change in how they perceive their rights to life, liberty,
security, a fair trial, family life and freedom of conscience, religion and expression.
For more information on the convention:
http://www.coe.int/t/dc/files/themes/convention_dh/default_EN.asp
On that occasion, AGE Platform Europe issued a press release welcoming the EU decisive steps
towards securing a Europe of Fundamental Rights but warning on the threat that the introduction of
reforms following the crisis is likely to pose to the rights of the most vulnerable members of our
society, including those of the elderly, in particular of older women:
http://www.age-platform.eu/en/age-a-the-media/age-communication-to-the-media-press-releases/1125-
dont-let-the-crisis-deprive-older-people-of-their-fundamental-rights

AGE response to FRPA consultation 2010 Annual Report

The Fundamental Rights Platform has held a consultation on the European Union
Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)’ Annual Report for 2010. This included a
general assessment of the content of its’ Annual Report and some specific
questions in relation to the report
In its response, AGE suggests FRA to focus more on age as a thematic or cross-cutting issue, make
relevant links to the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and take an indepth look at good practice in
tackling age discrimination and legal developments with regard to the age ground in employment, which
could lead to some concrete directions on how to move forward.
AGE considers that there is considerable scope for FRA to take a key role in raising citizens' awareness of
their rights regarding non-discrimination and to work on activities related to combating age discrimination
and promoting age equality in the context of active ageing. The theme of age could also be considered in
the context of the Lisbon Treaty and Charter of Fundamental Rights.
For more information, please contact: rachel.buchanan@age-platform.eu
More on the Fundamental Rights Platform:
http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/partners_networks/fundamental_rights_platform_frp/fundamental_rights_plat
form_frp_en.htm

Exchange and best practice network to support older workers in the EU

The Pan European Older Person's Learning & Employment (P.E.O.P.L.E.)
network funded by the EU Leonardo Da Vinci programme held its first meeting in
Paris on 26-27 October. The objective of this project is to develop a best practice
network, research, education and communications system between EU partner
organisations who are addressing the issues of ageism and promoting the
interests of older working age people (50-65+), particularly in relation to
education, training and employment.
A report of the conference is available at:
http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/EN/report_first_people_conference-0ct10.pdf
For more information on the project, please visit: http://www.wiseowls.co.uk/people/index.php

EBU Conference to enhance inclusion of people with disability in the EU

The European Disability Forum (EDF) President, the Vice President of the Social Platform and Liz
Mestheneos as President of AGE Platform Europe attended the European blind Union (EBU) conference on
"An Inclusive Europe: Persons with Disabilities, a positive human capital in Today's society" in Vienna on
11-14 November 2010. Particularly interested in the use of new technologies and implementation of the
rights of disabled, they were pleased to recognize the value that can come from cooperation with an
organization such as AGE platform Europe with its many members. Difficulties arising from the loss of sight
and blindness are particularly associated with ageing and the EBU's activities are thus particularly valuable
to our members.
Tools for being proactive in accessing rights were discussed. The growth of the numbers of older people
with sight problems who had to confront these difficulties at older ages (79% of people with problems of
sight were 65+ in Netherlands, a figures that is common for most countries) and represent 12 million people
in the EU. Prevention and rehabilitating services were often not proactive amongst older people. An

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interesting intergenerational project on mutual learning between older and younger blind and partially
sighted project was described and is available on www.intergenerations.eu

Elder abuse - Conference Benchmarking quality result oriented indicators

On 3-4 November, the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy in Research organized the final
conference of a PROGRESS financed project called ‘Quality management by result-oriented indicators;
towards benchmarking in residential care for older people”. The objectives of the project were to construct a
framework of result-oriented indicators, which aims at effectively improving older people’s daily life and care
in residential care homes; to define, measure and assess quality in residential care for older people, based
on an exchange of experiences with result-oriented indicators in selected member states; to apply and
validate this set of indicators in two ways: by consensus-building and by applying it in a set of care homes
where an existing quality management system was already in operation; to develop guidelines for key
stakeholders (management, staff, residents, relatives and regulators) on how to apply the validated
framework of result-oriented quality indicators with a view to benchmarking and quality improvement. Three
outcomes were presented during the final conference: a selection of result-oriented performance indicators
which focus on five domains that are relevant for care homes: quality of care, quality of life, leadership,
economic performance and context; the Handbook, targeting key stakeholders; the Policy Brief, which
describes the benefits and opportunities of result-oriented governance in Member states’ long-term care
systems.
You can find more information on the conference, including the presentations of the speakers, at the
following link: http://www.euro.centre.org/progress.

EU project Renewing Health

RENEWING HEALTH is a European project which aims at implementing large-scale
real-life test beds for the validation and subsequent evaluation of innovative
telemedicine services using a patient-centred approach and a common rigorous
assessment methodology. It involves 9 of the most advanced regions in the
implementation of health-related ICT (Information and Communication Technology) services, where service
solutions are already operational at local level for the telemonitoring and the treatment of chronic patients
suffering from diabetes, chronic obstrutive pulmonary or cardiovascolar diseases. Although integration of
the service solutions at regional level is the highest priority for the Project partners, the use of international
standards and the progressive convergence towards common interoperable architectures will be also be
targeted to prepare and facilitate their future development at national and European levels. In the
framework of the project a User Advisory Board was set. Its objective is to operate as a standing advisory
committee for the Consortium to advise and provide on-going feedback to the Project team on the needs of
current and future users of the piloted telemedicine services. In so doing, the User Advisory Board (UAB)
should improve the fit between the services and the users’ requirements and expectations. It is composed
of three main groups: (1) Patients and their informal caregivers –with AGE being part of the UAB, (2)
Healthcare professionals, (3) Health authorities, healthcare organizations and payers.
For more information: http://www.renewinghealth.eu/

Annual Conference of the Social Platform on Care

On 4-5 November, the Social Platform conveyed its annual
conference which focused this on the issue of Care: “Developing a
common foundation for Care that respects the rights of individuals, guarantees access to services and
promotes social inclusion”. The conference showcased a selection of innovative responses in Care
practices and policies, arising from Social Platform members’ experiences, among those Marjan Sedmak,
Vice-President of AGE, presented the results of the Eustacea Project and the Charter on Rights and
responsabilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance.
The main recommendations from the two workshops are available on the website of the Social Platform
(http://www.socialplatform.org/News.asp?news=25691). The empowerment and user involvement came out
as a strong recommendation from the two parallel sessions, as well as the recognition of the value of Care.
The work on Care inside the Social Platform will continue next year as this is a very important and wide
issue.
For more information: http://www.socialplatform.org/News.asp?news=25691

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News about AGE

New organigram and task distribution for AGE Secretariat

On 28 October AGE Council of Administration approved the Executive Committee’s proposal to nominate
Anne-Sophie Parent Secretary General of AGE (instead of Director) and to promote Maciej Kucharczyk to
the newly created position of Managing Director. The staff is also composed of Hanan Soussi (Office
Manager), Rachel Buchanan and Julia Wadoux (Policy Officers), Anne Mélard (Information and
Communication Offficer), Maude Luherne (European Parliament Officer and Project Coordinator) Alice
Sinigaglia (Logistics and Campaign Officer), Ilenia Gheno and Nena Georgantzi (Research Projects
Coordinators.

Social Protection
DEMHOW final Conference on equity release
The final seminar of the DEMHOW project on equity release as a source of
income in old age, organised by AGE, was held int the European Commission
Berlaymont building on 27 October. The project concludes that reverse mortgage
can’t solve Europe’s pension problems and wider access to reverse mortgage, which allow people to
release the capital tied up in their homes, while continuing to live in them until their death, would provide
only limited help in solving Europe’s pension adequacy problems.
On that occasion, AGE its 'Guide to the EU work on pensions', explaining the pension debate et EU level.
Read AGE press release on the outcome of this seminar.
For more information on the DEMHOW project: http://www.age-platform.eu/en/test-4-alice/656-demhow-
demographic-change-and-housing-wealth

Employment

AGE seminar on Employment of Older Workers, 25 November 2010

A seminar entitled ‘Boosting the employment of older workers in the European Union: What can be done at
regional and local level?’ will be held at the Committee of the Regions (Bâtiment Jacques Delors
Rue Belliard 99-101, 1040 Brussels, Room JDE 51) on 25 November 2010 from 10:00 to 16:00.
For more details, please visit AGE webcalendar or contact rachel.buchanan@age-platform.eu

Social Inclusion

INCLUSage final conference 7/12/10 at CoR: you can still register

The final conference of the InclusAGE project will be held on 7 December at the Committee of the Regions.
The evnt will be hosted by the Committe of Regions and co-chaired by Constance Hanniffy, CoR Member
and Jean Lambert, MEP. There are still a few seats available. If you wish to participate, please register by
contacting Alice Sinigaglia at alice.sinigaglia@age-platform.eu . To access the agenda:
http://www.age-platform.eu/images/stories/Draft_Agenda_INCLUSage_conference_07.12.10.pdf
For more info on the conference: http://www.age-
platform.eu/en/component/jevents/icalrepeat.detail/2010/12/07/110/-/seminar-on-adequate-income-and-
dignity-in-old-age-through-civil-dialogue-
For more information on the project, please visit AGE website at: http://www.age-platform.eu/en/action-
name-02

Independent living

eAccess+: a Thematic Network for eAccessibility

Funded under the European ICT Policy Support Programme, eAccess+ is a thematic
network driven by 25 core members from all over Europe for establishing and developing
a cooperative platform aimed at co-ordinating, supporting and improving the
implementation of eAccessibility throughout Europe.
The network focuses mainly on three topics: Web accessibility, Accessible digital audio-

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visual systems, Self-service terminals (SSTs) and devices for banking and financial services, public
transport, tourism and cultural heritage, e-government. For reaching its goals, the projects intends to
involve all stakeholder groups at national level to widen the network, including new “Associated Partners” as
a way to push forward the implementation of eAccessibility in Europe.
GET INVOLVED! AGE members are asked to join in, to be part of the network for cooperating to ensure
that the access to ICTs will be pursued on an equal basis for all citizens and for working to remove the
barriers encountered when trying to access and use ICT products, services and applications.
Details on the project can be found in the website www.eaccessplus.eu; Please register to the project
database by contacting Ilenia Gheno, Nena Georgantzi and Julia Wadoux.

T-Seniority Workshop: sharing ICT experience for older

people in Paris
The initiative brought together European Research Projects for sharing
ideas, outcomes and challenges about ICT for older people. The workshop,
organized by FNAQPA (Fédération Nationale Avenir et Qualité de vie des
Personnes Agées) with the support of the LLM (Long Lasting Memories project
(www.longlastingmemories.eu), took place during the “Semaine Bleue” -www.semaine-bleue.org- in France
dedicated to elder people. Attended by Angela Cluzel, AGE ICT Expert, the workshop offered the
opportunity of presenting and discussing different projects during a round-table. The main issues tackled
have been “new dwelling”, “new technologies” and “new elderly users”, mentioning how to better involve
older people in projects, how to disseminate the benefits and the results within our Information Society.
For more information please contact AGE Secretariat or AGE ICT expert, Angela Cluzel.

Assuring sustainability of user involvement in public transport

beyond the Mediate project
On 14 October 2010 the End User Platform, established within the Mediate project
for voicing the needs of older people, people with disability and cognitive
impairments facing barriers in using public transports, gathered for discussing viable solutions for its
engagement beyond the Mediate project, which ends in November 2010. Building on the shared will of
further committing to the cause of accessibility, the Platform members agreed in being active within both
future projects and policies processes at European level. Therefore AGE Platform, in charge of the
management of the Platform so far, actually works for including such a Stakeholder Group within two new
Consortia that will participate in the next call for proposals of the European Commission on Transport
Needs for an Ageing Society.
Besides, AGE intends to investigate any possibility of involvement at policy level; therefore it welcomed the
Action 4 of the European Action Plan on Urban Mobility, which foresees the establishment of the Passenger
Forum where the End User Platform could be active at different stages. Progresses have been
accomplished so far: the European Passenger Federation agreed on being part of the Platform and to
contribute to present the needs of passengers and to exchange information with the other members of the
Platform. This is an important step, considering the focus that the Action 4 brings to passenger rights.
Furthermore the Unit of DG MOVE in charge of the implementation of the Passenger Forum will be soon
contacted in order to clarify which possibilities are open to the involvement of this group of European
stakeholders in such a political framework.
For more information please contact Ilenia Gheno and Nena Georgantzi.

BRAID - Bridging Research in Ageing and ICT Development for a vision of the future
of ageing.
The BRAID project is a 24-month project, started in March 2010, funded by the 7th European Framework
Programme for Research (7FP). The consortia includes representatives of four previous FP7 projects that
worked on roadmaps on ICT and Ageing - AALIANCE, CAPSIL, ePAL and SENIOR - exploring issues
related to ethics, future technologies, business models and international cooperation in this field of
research. The objectives of the project include the development of a consensus on requirements for active

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ageing and ageing well, a vision of a desirable future for older people, a research and technology roadmap,
a strategic research agenda and the development of a self-sustaining stakeholder co-ordination
mechanism.
After placing a call for experts, AGE Platform Europe has becomed part of the BRAID panel of expert
stakeholders gathered in the Advisory Board. The Board will play an important role in the project as it will be
a key voice of stakeholders and a vital driver in creating and establishing a Roadmap that is acceptable to
those it affects.
For more information please contact, please visit the project website www.braidproject.eu or contact Ilenia
Gheno.

Conferences

http://www.age-platform.eu/en/component/jevents/year.listevents/2010/02/10/-

Publications

European Commission’s expert report on "Flexible working time arrangements and

gender equality"
The expert report on "Flexible working time arrangements and gender equality" provides a comprehensive
overview of current practices across the EU and shows the benefice of flexible working time arrangements
for both employers and workers.
It focuses on internal flexibility within companies and organisations, both in terms of length of working time
(for instance part-time) and organisation of working time (for instance flexitime arrangements or staggered
hours and flexibility in starting and ending the work day).
The report’s main conclusions are highlight the very large differences between the Member States
regarding flexibility of working time; the not always positive impact of increased flexibility in working time on
gender equality and the lacl of political programme to promote working time flexibility in several countries.
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=418&langId=en&pubId=585&type=2&furtherPubs=yes

CEDEFOP study for effective social care services

The study entitled “Quality assurance in the social care sector: the role of training”, published on 9
November by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP, Thessaloniki)
analyses the competences required (skills, knowledge and attitudes) by social service managers and front-
line workers in community-based services to provide quality social care services. The study also identifies
innovative training programmes and makes policy recommendations for improving training in the field.
The CEDEFOP study notes that the demand for care services has greatly increased, above all for the most
vulnerable persons - the elderly (in Germany), the homeless (in the United Kingdom), and persons with
disabilities (in Poland, Portugal and Sweden). This has resulted in healthcare services becoming a great job
provider. In the EU, over 21 million people are employed in the social services and healthcare, which is a
24% increase since 2000 and 10% of the total workforce in 2009. The study also notes that women make
up 78.5% of those employed in the social sector.
The publication can be downloaded at: http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/EN/publications/16821.aspx
To read CEDEFOP press release:
http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/download-manager.aspx?id=17090&lang=en

UK discussion paper on the future of retirement

The document goes through the various factors influencing early or later retirement and their future impacts.
http://www.globalaging.org/pension/world/2010/FutureOf.pdf

Guide de la prévention et de la lutte contre la maltraitance des personnes âgées

This publication in French analyses the problems linked to the issue of elder abuse and the necessity of
developing an interdisciplinary approach. It provides practical tools to address the prevention of elder abuse
and to adapt to the various existing situations.
http://www.dunod.com/sciences-sociales-humaines/action-sociale-et-medico-sociale/vieillesse-
handicap/guide-de-la-prevention-et-de-la-lutte-co

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Technology and Care: Can the web transform social care?
This UK publication explores the potential of web based technologies to improve social care and the
significant barriers to mainstreaming.
David Sinclair analyses the different actions to be taken if we are to make the most of new technology in the
context of the care needs of an ageing society.
For more info and to access the downloadable publication:
http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/record.jsp?type=publication&ID=74

Call for Proposals

Lifelong Learning Programme – 2011

Each year, the European Commission sets out the priorities for the EU’s
Lifelong Learning Programme in a call for proposals. The general call for
proposals for 2011 for the EU's Lifelong Learning Programme has been
launched; so citizens and organisations in the field adult learning can now
apply again for the different activities supported by the programme, including the Grundtvig sub-
programme.
More information at: http://ec.europa.eu/education/llp/doc848_en.htm

European calls for proposals can be viewed on AGE’s website at:

http://www.age-platform.eu/en/call-for-proposals

Did you know that?

Walking is good for your brain and memory. It can half the risk of developing memory problems…
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/204578.php

If you would like to contribute with news stories, please contact AGE Platform Europe,
Information and Communication Officer, Anne Mélard at: anne.melard@age-platform.eu

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