On 23 September we organized jointly with Members of the European Parliament and COFACE-Families Europe an online debate on solidarity between generation as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, with the participation of European Commission Vice-President for Demography and Democracy, Dubravka Suica and Kirsten Leube from the German Presidency of the Council of the EU. The event, co-hosted by MEP Milan Brglez and Jaroslaw Duda, also marked the official launch of the Interest Group on Solidarity between Generations.
The COVID-19 crisis has shown that solidarity between generations is more needed than ever. Lack of resources and mismanagement have put the lives of many vulnerable citizens at risk, including many older persons. Families got mobilized to provide care as schools and long-term care services were closed. These developments emphasize the need for addressing ageing and demographic change in a way that upholds the core European principles of human rights, equality and solidarity.
MEPs from four political groups have come together to form an Interest Group that will work together with civil society and the other EU institutions on promoting these principles. Interest Groups bring together MEPs from any political parties with a view to holding informal exchanges of views on particular subjects of interest and fostering contact with civil society. The work of the Interest Group on Solidarity between Generations will be supported by AGE Platform Europe, and COFACE-Families Europe, the EU civil society network representing the interests of all families.
‘What brings us together is to see demographic ageing from a broader perspective, to ensure the aspirations of older persons, youth, family are recognised rather than opposed’, stated Maciej Kucharczyk, AGE Platform Europe Secretary-General.
Read quotes VP Dubravka Suica, Kirsten Leube, Milan Brglez (S&D, SI) and Jarosław Duda (EPP, PL) on our EP blog
For more information on this Interest Group and on AGE work with the European Parliament, you may contact Philippe Seidel, philippe.seidel@age-platform.eu
