WRITTEN QUESTION E-0149/99

by Joaquín Sisó Cruellas (PPE) to the Commission

(11 February 1999)

Subject: 1999, International Year of the Elderly

1999 is the International Year of the Elderly, under the slogan "Towards a society for all ages", with four main thrusts laid down by the United Nations: the situation of the elderly, their continuing education, international relations and the connections between development and ageing. The intention is to stress the idea that a society for all is a society based on respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, cultural and religious diversity, social justice, democratic involvement and the rule of law.

How is the Union going to celebrate this International Year of the Elderly?

Given that I come from Aragón, the Spanish Autonomous Community with the highest average age in Spain (26,7 % of the population is over 60), I am highly aware of the problem of integrating older people into society, and I should like to know whether there is any Community programme which, to whatever extent, will help fund the various activities which society in Europe will be implementing to mark this Year of the Elderly, and, if so, would the Commission furnish details of how to access such funding?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The main Commission contribution to the United Nations international year for older people will be a communication entitled "Towards a Europe of all ages" which will focus attention on ageing and older people's issues in 1999 and beyond. This communication, due to be adopted by the end of March 1999, will contain a short analysis of the character of the demographic challenge facing the Community and will outline a strategy of active ageing as a plausible response.

In addition to the communication, the Commission has participated in a number of events to celebrate the United Nations international year and organised a joint symposium with the Austrian Presidency of the Council in Vienna on 12-13 October 1998 entitled "A society for all ages". A joint conference with the Finnish Presidency of the Council on "independent living of elderly people" will take place on 6-7 October 1999, followed by a Commission conference to mark the end of the international year in November 1999.

As regards Community financial support, 11 projects on the theme of exchanging experience and disseminating information on issues relating to the promotion of a society for all ages were supported under the 1998 Commission call for proposals for preparatory actions in the field of social exclusion (budget lines B3-4101, B3-4102 and B3-4116).

The Commission intends to publish a call for proposals in spring 1999 for budget line B3-4111 (preparatory measures combating and preventing discrimination). In accordance with the budget commentary for this line, support can be provided for actions to be implemented in the framework of the United Nations international year for older people, as well as measures to encourage co-operation and transfer of best practice in combating age discrimination and measures to promote full citizenship, participation and equal opportunities for older people.

In addition, the Commission stated in its Social action programme 1998-2000(1) its intention of exploring the new scope for action opened up by Articles 13 and 137 of the Amsterdam Treaty, including the possibility of proposing framework programmes to combat discrimination and social exclusion. The Commission is preparing proposals in this regard and will ensure that these take proper account of issues related to ageing and older people.

(1) COM(98) 259 final.