The idea behind this initiative of the European Commission is to mobilise people 60+ who have plenty to offer their families and communities and to find ways to utilise the potential of this formidable force.
The European Seniorforce Day events will be celebrated across all Member States. Finland, Slovakia and Bulgaria are the first countries where these action days have been organised. Please check out the Events calendar in the European Year 2012 website to find out the specific details of these and other Seniorforce Day events in all EU countries. More than 1,350 nominations received for the European Year 2012 Awards A total of 1,373 interesting and diverse submissions have been received from all over Europe to participate in the European Year 2012 Awards. Launched by the European Commission to celebrate the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, the call was closed on 16 September.
Organisations and individuals from EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway were able to submit from 21 June until 16 September nominations in six categories: Workplaces for all Ages, Towards Age-Friendly Environments, Social Entrepreneurs, Reporting on Ageing and Relations between Generations, Life Story Challenge and generations@school.
Germany has submitted the largest number of entries (172), followed by Spain (122), Portugal (110), Austria (93), Poland and Romania, with 92 nominations each. The winners of the 2012 Active Ageing Awards will be announced at a ceremony which will take place in November in Brussels.
October 1 - the International Day of Older Persons
The United Nations' International Day of Older Persons is celebrated annually since 1991 on October 1st to recognize the contributions of older persons and to examine issues that affect their lives. The theme of the day in 2012 is "Longevity: Shaping the Future". Special events will be organised worldwide. Across Europe, citizens are invited to participate in many initiatives, such as the Senior Fest in the Czech Republic, the Flowers of Fraternity in France or the Big Skills Share in the United Kingdom. Visit this page for more information and highlights of the Day.
UNECE Ministerial Conference in Vienna concludes with commitment to meet the individual and societal challenges triggered by population ageing The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Ministerial Conference on Ageing held on 18-20 September 2012 in Vienna, Austria, concluded with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration “Ensuring a society for all ages: promoting quality of life and active ageing”.
The conference gathered over 500 participants, including ministers and high-level officials, NGO representatives and scientists. László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, delivered a key note speech in which he presented the European Year 2012 and outlined how the European Union is promoting active ageing through its policies.
Looking at the challenges ahead, ministers and country delegations declared their determination to reach four priority policy goals by 2017, namely: encouraging longer working lives; promoting participation, non-discrimination and social inclusion of older persons; promoting and safeguarding dignity, health and independence in older age and maintaining and enhancing intergenerational solidarity.
Save the Date
Joint EU employers' project on active ageing - Age management policies in enterprises in Europe Brussels - September 27th 2012
Active and healthy ageing at the Open Days - European Week of Regions and Cities Brussels - October 8-11, 2012
European Conference: A long term perspective on an inclusive labour market, complementary health care, local investments Venice - October 18th, 2012
EY2012 Forum II in Prague: Working for Living Prague - October 18th, 2012
ICOH-WDPI 2012 conference: Healthy ageing in a working society Groningen - Oct 22-24, 2012
Barcelona: Towards active ageing at home (age@HOME) Barcelona - October 24th 2012
Conference on the European Quality Framework for Long Term Care Brussels - November 14th, 2012
