A Society for All Ages: Challenges and Opportunities
2007 UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing
León, Spain, 6-8 November 2007
Geneva, 30 October 2007 -- This year, member States of the United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) are taking stock of the
implementation of the commitments made in 2002 when they adopted the Regional
Implementation Strategy (RIS) for the Madrid International Plan of Action
on Ageing (MIPAA), recognizing that the need to adjust to demographic change
has become more acute. What is the real situation five years on? Have Governments
been able to take the actions necessary to prepare and adapt their societies
for demographic change?
The UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing in León, Spain, from 6
to 8 November 2007, will review progress made, challenges to be met and
opportunities to be used. León is expecting about 300 delegates from
all over the region, including 25 ministers. The Conference is expected to
adopt a ministerial declaration that will identify priorities for future action.
Busy agenda
During the first two days of the conference, six panel discussions are going
to be held on a broad range of issues related to the topics of the ministerial
declaration, followed by three ministerial panels on the third day.
Building a society for all ages is recognized as the overarching objective
of ageing related actions. Delegates will discuss how to apply an integrated
approach, one that considers the different needs of different stages of an
individual’s life course, allowing people to reach old age in better
health and security. Considering ageing across all policy areas (mainstreaming) and
ensuring participation of persons of all ages in decision-making processes
are other important topics. The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
is vital in implementing such participatory approach, as is the need for research
to strengthen the knowledge base for policymaking.
Adjustments to social protection systems, the labour market and health care
constitute the core of ageing related policy interventions in many countries
and the policy options and good practices in these areas will receive much
attention in the panel sessions. However, governments recognize that it is
crucial to go beyond the adjustments motivated mainly by fiscal concerns and
achieve a change in the mindset, towards more flexible views that accommodate
active participation in society of people of all ages. This includes promoting
active ageing, lifelong learning and intergenerational solidarity, and leaving
more room for individual choice in life-course transitions among education,
work and retirement. Ageing will continue for many decades and the current
stage of demographic bonus will not return. Member States therefore need to
make adjustments that are sustainable in the long run.
The third day of the conference, 8 November, features the adoption
of the Ministerial Declaration, which identifies priorities for future
action.
NGO participation
The UNECE secretariat is working closely with NGOs in preparation for
the Ministerial Conference. NGO representatives participated in the meeting
of the Preparatory Committee and are contributing to the drafting process
of the ministerial declaration. A forum for civil society and the scientific
community will precede the conference on 5 November.
Background
Twenty-five years have passed since the first World Assembly on Ageing
, held in Vienna in 1982, which marked the first time in history that ageing
was put on the political agenda as one of the most salient developments
of our times. The International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted by the
Assembly prompted policymakers to put more efforts in the field. Subsequent
international instruments, and specifically the United Nations Principles
for Older Persons, as well as the observation of 1999 as the International
Year of Older Persons, further emphasized the resolve of the international
community to address ageing and the challenges that it creates. Various
other international instruments adopted by major United Nations conferences
and summits have played a significant role in advancing the thinking on
what are the most appropriate policies and programmes in the field of ageing.
In September 2002, five months after the second World Assembly on Ageing,
the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) was adopted. The
2002 UNECE Ministerial Conference on Ageing in Berlin considered and adopted
its Regional Implementation Strategy (RIS). The Strategy includes a concrete
catalogue of measures in the form of 10 commitments, the implementation
of which will be reviewed at the Ministerial Conference in León.
For further information, please contact:
Andres Vikat
Chief, Population Activities Unit
UN Economic Commission for Europe
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0) 22 917 2764
Fax: +41 (0) 22 917 0107
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.unece.org/pau/age/ConferenceonAgeing_2007
Ref. ECE/GEN/07/P12