The Council of Europe: guardian of human rights
Strasbourg
On 18 November 2022, a delegation of the European Seniors’ Union undertook a study visit to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
29 April: European Day of Solidarity between generations
At the EU conference in Brdo, Slovenia on 28-29 April 2008, the (first) Slovenian Presidency of the European Union proposed that 29 April be declared European Day of Solidarity between generations. The first EU Day was officially launched on 29 April 2009.
ESU takes part every year in this awareness-raising campaign in order to draw attention to the concept of intergenerational solidarity and initiate greater cooperation and shared perspectives in future social development. As part of this celebration, our President An Hermans participated in an online meeting ‘Intergenerational Dialogue in Political Environments: Challenges and Opportunities’ hosted by Monique Vogelaar and Sabine Hanger.
Our message: ‘Solidarity: one of the cornerstones of the European Union’
Solidarity between generations starts in warm relationships in families and neighbourhoods where parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, young and old meet and care for each other. But solidarity is a cornerstone not only in direct interpersonal relationships. We also need this solidarity to create common political perspectives in order to tackle social problems or find sustainable solutions for the future.
Ageism and negative attitudes towards certain age groups divide people of different generations and create barriers to their full participation in society. These stereotypes, which are learned at a very young age, usually stem from a lack of understanding of the reality in which other age groups live. Promoting regular interaction between people of different age groups can help to break down stereotypes and increase awareness of the diversity of situations within an age group and of the common challenges faced.
An Hermans- ESU President