A world without elder abuse requires systemic action! – Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023
Special Briefing – June 2023 photo by Andrea Leopardi on Unsplash Read our June newsletter The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15th June is an opportunity to imagine a world without elder abuse and discuss concrete strategies for change. Older people’s organisations across Europe have collected practices that can help pave the way for […]
Civil society stronger than ever in urging States to adopt a UN convention on the rights of older persons
Civil society organisations showed strong unity and delivered powerful statements, calling for Member States to start drafting a UN convention on the rights of older persons without delay. This strong mobilisation contrasted with the lack of commitment from governments and the European Union, despite the recognition of the challenges older people face. The 13th […]
29 April – Let’s celebrate Solidarity between Generations!
On 29th April we will be celebrating the EU Day of Solidarity between Generations, launched for the first time in 2009. The successive crises that we have been through over the recent years have made the issue more topical than ever, reminding us how critical intergenerational cooperation and solidarity is in an increasingly divided and […]
The complex gender face of digital exclusion in old age
Contribution from OWN Europe to International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 Europe is the most digitally connected region in the world with nearly 90% of the population being online[1]. While most policy makers look proudly at this achievement, this general figure hides huge disparities between countries and population subgroups. Large numbers of people in Europe […]
Drawing lessons from COVID to safeguard democracy and fundamental rights in the EU
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered radical and unprecedented measures in Europe and around the world. Some of these measures have been pointed out as violating basic human rights. Three years after the outbreak of the pandemic in Europe, the European Parliament is looking at the impact of EU’s response on democracy and fundamental rights and […]
2023: Paving the way for a new vision of age
After two years of a pandemic that took a heavy toll on the population and shook the economy in Europe and the world, we were hoping for some respite last year. But the Russian invasion of Ukraine came as a brutal clash with our peaceful reality, and its multiple consequences has put an increasing number […]
Care, minimum income, rights of older persons: The year ends with several milestones for AGE
Credit: Beth Jnr on Unsplash The end of the year is often associated with warmth, togetherness and solidarity. Some recent developments, including our Annual Conference and some EU council decisions, have confirmed this trend, looking at how to improve the quality of care and support inclusion in older age. AGE Annual Conference ‘A Europe that […]
Digitalisation of services: ensuring equal access to all, including older people of today and tomorrow
For some time now, digitalisation has been part of our daily lives, bringing hopes of economic, ecological and social progress. However, the speed and scale of its development raises questions of inclusion and human rights. In this Special Briefing, we look at some current and future challenges.
Good mental health is essential for well-being in old age
Mental health problems affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. Supporting mental health is an essential part of the healthy ageing process.
The European Care Strategy has come a long way. What does it change?
Published after one year of work and consultation, the new European Care Strategy sets out for the first time an EU vision on long-term care. Will it live up to expectations or remain an empty shell?
Ministerial Conference on Ageing: European states commit to stronger policies domestically and internationally
The Ministerial Conference on Ageing held in Rome by the United Nations Economic Commission in Europe (UNECE) mapped the progress made under the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in the UNECE region and agreed on a roadmap for the future.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: ways forward
On the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and after two years of COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the massive phenomenon of abuse in older age, can we hope for positive developments towards ensuring dignity in old age?
Older people’s human rights: civil society deplores the lack of involvement of Member States in adopting a UN convention
Despite massive mobilisation from civil society for the 12th session of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, governments showed little commitment towards the creation of an international legally binding instrument. However, some advancements marked this year’s edition: the stronger call by some EU member states in favour of a United Nations’ Convention on […]
Adequate housing in older age
photo (cropped) by Skiathos Greece on Unsplash Housing has been identified as one of the key social determinants of health shaping the way people live and age. Ensuring adequate housing should therefore be a priority concern in our ageing society. But what are the challenges and barriers faced by older persons in accessing adequate and […]
Ukraine: the ‘oldest’ humanitarian crisis in the world
credit: Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash More than seven million older people living in Ukraine are currently at risk as a result of the Russian invasion. Whether they decide to stay in Ukraine or to leave the country, older people deserve equal access to humanitarian aid. Ukraine is among the fastest ageing countries in […]
‘We want to age with rights’: advocates mobilise ahead of UN discussions
On 3rd March, older people around the world are gathering under the same banner to urge governments to act. This mobilization is taking place a month ahead of the 12th session of the United Nations Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG), where governments have shown little progress in defend human rights in older age. This […]
Striving towards age equality in Europe: AGE priorities for 2022
Photo by Gregor Fischer / re:republica After two challenging years where the COVID-19 pandemic seriously undermined older people’s human rights, we can only hope that 2022 will open new horizons to build the cohesive and resilient society that we need. Today more than ever. 2021 saw some important developments for older people at EU level, […]
Human rights for all ages: Our joint Annual Conference called for life course perspective and intergenerational cooperation
The importance of adopting a rights-based and life-course approach to ageing and promoting cooperation between generations to combat ageism was the topic of our joint annual conference on 18 November 2021. Prepared during the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the conference was organised in cooperation between the Slovenian Ministry of Labour, […]
