Active Retirement Ireland has formally submitted its new policy document, ‘Older Voices for Fairness: Intergenerational Fairness and Solidarity’, to the European Commission’s Public Consultation on the Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness. The document, which is now available to download below, will shortly be published in print form.
Developed through a series of three Communicating Europe Initiative workshops held with Active Retirement members in Meath, Cork and Kilkenny, the policy document represents the voices, experiences and priorities of older people across Ireland. It emphasises the right of older people to participate fully in society, to be recognised as active contributors and to have their perspectives considered in both Irish and European policymaking.
Active Retirement Ireland Head of Policy & Programmes Alison Bough said: “Older people have rich and varied experiences of work, community, family and civic life. Intergenerational fairness is not about competition between generations — it’s about building a society that is fair, inclusive and connected for everyone. We must ensure that older people’s voices are front and centre in policymaking here in Ireland and across the EU.
“Together, we are working towards an age-friendly, connected and fair Europe for all generations.”
During a recent visit to Brussels, Ms Bough presented the policy document to Nina Carberry MEP (Midlands North-West) at the European Parliament. She also joined delegates from Age Friendly Ireland, officials from the European Commission, MEP Michał Szczerba and representatives of Meath County Council to discuss key issues including ageing in place, accessibility, social connection and community inclusion.
Active Retirement Ireland extends our thanks to AGE Platform Europe, the pan-European network representing older people’s interests, for their support and leadership, and to the Department of Foreign Affairs Ireland for funding the workshops that informed this document.
The policy document sets out a series of recommendations, including protecting income security for older people; supporting housing and community infrastructure that enable ageing in place; mainstreaming intergenerational fairness across all policy areas; ensuring digital inclusion for older people and protecting against financial and online fraud; and promoting active ageing, social connection and participation across the life course.
Read the full policy document here: