Third age energy

On 10 January, in conjunction with the start of the Irish Presidency of the EU Council the new European Year dedicated to the citizens will be officially unveiled. Looking forward to this date, the EU has taken stock of the European Year 2012, which addressed the issue of active aging and solidarity between generations. On 10 December, in Nicosia, was held the closing ceremony, promoted by the Cypriot Presidency. But it wouldn’t be correct to speak of the end, because the initiatives and the projects that were launched in 2012 are planned to continue in the future. A new mindset and a new way of conceiving the social structure of our societies have been triggered and many battles still lie ahead in terms of "demographic revolution". In "2012 an important step was taken to support the development of policies and initiatives for active aging", said László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, in his address delivered during the event. In particular Andor said he was "impressed with the innovative ideas proposed by hundreds of organizations, companies and individuals across Europe who provided the elderly with the opportunity to continue working and participate in the economy of society". First results. The Year 2012 has seen the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders across Europe, giving rise to hundreds of events and initiatives at European, national, regional or local level, to improve employment, social participation and independent living of elderly people. For example, Austria has already presented last January a "Federal Plan for the elderly", while in November Belgium established a new federal advisory council just for the elderly. Germany, however, during the year has led a campaign against discrimination based on age and Poland adopted in August a government program for social initiatives dedicated to the elderly for the period 2012-2013 Finally, every municipality across Ireland will have its own "Age Friendly" program by the end of 2013. Monitoring for growth. In order to evaluate the results achieved so far, a new assessment tool for active aging (AAI) was implemented thanks to a joint project of the European Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the European Centre for social Policy and Research in Vienna. The project consists in is an index that will help Member States identify the challenges and unrealized potential, but also to monitor progress in the field of active aging. At present Sweden, Finland, Denmark, followed by the Netherlands, Ireland and the United Kingdom, are the most active, while most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Malta and Greece must improve their performance. Successes and failures. The index analyzes the results of countries on the basis of four criteria that contribute to determining the potential for active aging. "These are: the presence of older workers in the job market, social activity and involvement of senior citizens, independent living of elderly and along with an environment that promotes the development of active aging". It is in this context that most countries of central and Eastern Europe can do more. "In the field of labor, however, Cyprus, Portugal, Estonia and Bulgaria have a particularly high index, while Italy, France and Spain lag behind". Spain, Italy, Finland and Belgium have finally registered a certain degree of success in the field of social participation, while Estonia, Portugal and the UK still have wide margins of improvement. The guidelines for the future. The Commission, together with EU member states, has also developed "Guidelines for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations", approved by the EU Council of Ministers on 6 December. The document comprises nineteen principles designed to serve as points of reference for national governments, regions, cities, businesses, trade unions, civil society organizations wishing to promote initiatives and projects in this area. "Active aging and solidarity between generations are the key to the creation of a Europe for all ages – says the document signed by the Council – for a competitive, prosperous and cooperative Europe". A legacy for all generations. "The European Year 2012 contributed to a major political impetus. It helped to address challenges and seize the opportunities", said the Council, which made ​​it clear that the actions "extend beyond mere public awareness: they also represent am encouragement to continue investing in the results achieved so far, "so as to translate this work into a strong political legacy" which offers concrete results, capable of ensuring social cohesion and prosperity, thus contributing to the wellbeing of all generations".