Press release
4/2012
19.01.2012,
Helsinki
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health inform:
2012 is the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. According to forecasts approximately every third European will be aged over 65 in 2060. The European Year calls on decision-makers and citizens to act and to understand that meaningful work, opportunity to learn and healthy ageing are possible at any age. In Finland the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the Year and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health is responsible for its coordination in practice.
The European Year reflects the idea of active ageing, that also older people have the right to fully participate in the activities of their community and in society, continue their career and obtain support for independent living. The aim is to raise the appreciation of cooperation and interaction between people of different ages.
In the next few years the number of aged population will increase in Finland more rapidly than in most other countries. Simultaneously, the number of people of working age will be reduced. This poses challenges to society. For instance labour force, pensions and the health care system must be adapted to the new needs and economic realities.
Come along and participate in the realisation of the European Year in Finland
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health challenge citizens, local authorities, NGOs, companies, labour market organisations and other stakeholders to participate in the realisation of the Year. You can participate by informing of or by organising events, happenings or other programmes – anything within the limits of your imagination.
The European Year has many tasks:
• Supporting careers and extending them at the beginning, middle and end. A good working life involves e.g. development of the skills and cooperation of people of different ages, age management, and gender equality.
• Enhancing lifelong learning. This means management of information technology by older people and adding to the visibility of the activities of the University of Third Age.
• Supporting active ageing and a better identification of the potential of the rapidly increasing older population and making best use of that potential. How could an active role and inclusion be secured by means of services designed for older people in a way that is meaningful to the persons themselves?
• Strengthening fairness between generations. This can be realised by promoting meetings between people of all ages in different ways.
During the Year information will be disseminated of the challenges, functional solutions and ways of operation related to active ageing.
More information
Professor Anneli Leppänen, Director of Centre of Expertise, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 30 474 2524, +358 40 506 6186, forename.surname@ttl.fi (organising the Year)
Marjo Wallin, Senior Researcher, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. 030 474 2692, 043 824 1527, forename.surname@ttl.fi (secretary for the Year)
Marja-Leena Hiltunen, Senior Officer, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. 09 160 73845, forename.surname@stm.fi (coordination with the EU)
Modified 19.01.2012 Vauhkonen Tuula