Today a high level group of government experts will meet for the first time in Brussels to discuss demography issues. The group - set up by the Commission following requests from Member States responding to the 2005 Green Paper on demography (IP/05/322) - will support the Commission in developing policies adapted to the new reality of Europe's ageing population and shrinking workforce. The group will also act as a platform for Member States to exchange experiences and good practice in areas like active ageing, family policy, care for the elderly dependent and migration. Made up of representatives from all Member States, as well as a small number of independent experts, the group will be headed by the former Austrian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Leonora Hostasch.
Opening the inaugural meeting, Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities welcomed the group saying "There is no reason for Europe to fear the ageing of its populations provided we prepare in time. Active ageing will have an important impact on our social services and economy. The elderly will become an ever more important market force. The "silver economy" opens up new possibilities for services and products. I believe we have a window of opportunity over the next ten years and this high level Group will support our efforts to prepare policies that fit in with Europe's new demographic order".
The Group's role is to advise the Commission on the monitoring of demographic change and the implementation of the policy guidelines set out in the Commission's 2006 communication on demography (IP/06/1359) Through the group, Member States will also be able to express their opinions on the broad responses required to meet Europe's demographic challenge, as well as on specific initiatives. The views of the social partners and civil society will also be considered by the group.
The first meeting will formalise the group with discussions focusing on family policy, one of the key areas identified by the Commission in its demography communication and the subject of the new communication on promoting solidarity between generations adopted by the Commission on May 10th (IP/07/643). Group members will also exchange views on the first demography report, looking at priorities for the year ahead as well as for the next demography forum.
Green Paper public consultation on demography 16/03/2005
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/news/2005/mar/comm2005-94_en.pdf
Communication on demography 12/10/2006
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/news/2006/oct/demography_en.pdf
Communication on promoting solidarity between generations 10/05/2007:
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/news/2007/may/244_en.pdf
link to demography report – facts and figures 11/05/2007
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_situation/docs/sec_2007_638_en.pdf
(Communiques de presse - Rapid 11.06.2007)