A new EU healthcare strategy – Video conference with Sirpa Pietikäinen

On 24 January 2023, the ESU executive committee was invited to a video conference. Besides some information on ongoing ESU initiatives, the meeting focused on the new European care strategy. Both childcare and long-term care received new European guidelines. We focused only on long-term care. 

Although Care is primarily a Member States’ competence, the EU can play an important role in promoting and stimulating policies for the senior generation.  

On 7 September 2022, the European Commission proposed the following:

  1. A communication on the European care strategy

The Commission sets out a vision for the provision of long-term care in Europe, outlines supporting measures at EU level and calls for action at national level. These include direct technical support under a new flagship project “Towards person-centred integrated care”, the upcoming Horizon Europe partnership “Transforming health and care systems” and a strategic partnership with WHO.

  1. A proposal for a Council recommendation on access to affordable high-quality long-term care.

It aims to improve the situation of formal and informal care providers and attract more care workers, including through legal migration programmes. 

The focus is on:

  • The adequacy, availability and quality of long-term care, Member States should set high quality criteria and standards for all long-term care institutions.
  • Fair working conditions for care staff. This includes developing attractive wages in the sector by promoting national social dialogue and collective bargaining.
  • Address skills needs and shortages of workers in the care sector. Member States should design and improve primary and secondary education and training, build career pathways through retraining and upskilling, establish pathways to regular employment status for undeclared care workers, explore legal migration pathways for care workers and make the care profession attractive to both men and women.

ESU welcomes this initiative. It is now up to Member States to implement care policies adapted to their national needs and capabilities. It is important in this implementation phase that all actors play their role and feel involved. The ESU has invited governments, formal and non-formal care providers, families, civil society … invited to work together to provide the best possible care for everyone who needs it. 

To encourage this process, we have prepared a resolution that can be amended and adopted by the EPP.

A first draft of the resolution will be sent to our associations. We hope to finalise it by the end of February.

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Events in 2023

ESU Annual Report 2023

Online

Our ESU 2023 Annual Report is available

Brainstorm on “Enhancing the Digital Skills of Seniors in the Slovak Republic”

Online

The primary aim of this project is to optimize digital literacy among seniors in Slovakia by developing lessons focused on digitalization for seniors.

New perspectives about ageing better

NIcosia - Cyprus

Regional Conference in Nicosia on new perspectives about ageing better

UN International Day of Older Persons

Online

President An Hermans has provided a message in on the occasion of the 33rd UNIDOP on October 1st.

The ESU joins UNIDOP celebrations in Cyprus

Foini - Cyprus

On October 1, ESU President An Hermans and Secretary-General Guido Dumon joined in the UN International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) festivities in Cyprus.

Empowering Active Retirees in the Digital Era: An Inspiring Encounter

Kortrijk

On July 20, 2023, ESU-president An Hermans was invited to speak before a group of retired professionals in Kortrijk, Flanders on the topic: MIL.

News from the ESU associations: Thoughts and experiences to share

Leuven

The final morning of the academy was dedicated to the ESU-association's internal aspects and future prospects.

Martens Centre Survey on 'Regaining the Middle Ground for the Centre Right' and discussions

Leuven

The focus of the survey was on understanding the mindset of the European middle class, particularly their economic, psychological, and security concerns.

Advancing a Human Rights-Based Approach to the Digital Environment

Leuven

Patrick Penninckx led a presentation on fostering a sustainable, people-centered, and human rights-based approach to the challenges posed by digital environment

Europe as a task & Challenges for the EU

Leuven

3rd Day of the ESU Summer Academy with guest speaker Herman Van Rompuy, Emeritus President of the EU Council

'Europe as a Task'

Brussels

Insights into EU Governance: Exploring the European Commission and the European Semester at the Summer Academy

ESU's Visit to EPP Headquarters in Brussels

Brussels

Strengthening Bonds and Understanding: ESU's Visit to EPP Headquarters in Brussels

"Why Europe? - Presidency Meeting with Prof. Steven Van Hecke"

Leuven

ESU presidium meeting during first day of the Summer Academy

​​European People's Party Political Assembly in Munich

Munich

The EPP Political Assembly brings together representatives from all EPP member parties and associations

The European Day of Solidarity between Generations

Online

The European Day of Solidarity between Generations aim is to raise awareness of the importance of intergenerational solidarity and to promote dialogue.

Symposium CD&V-senioren – CDA senioren – European Seniors’ Union

Maastricht

A fascinating day on ‘Creating dignity in the final phase of life"

National meeting 'Generation 60+' in Bozen/ Bolzano

Bozen/ Bolzano

'Generation 60+' held an election meeting in which Otto von Dellemann and Christine von Stefenelli were confirmed in their positions.

The EU’s Care Strategy – Perspectives and Reflections of the ESU

Leuven

A European Care Strategy was at the center of the discussions at the ESU Executive Committee Meeting (EXCO), which took place on March 25, in Leuven.

ExCo meeting in Leuven- Side Event

Leuven

The ESU Facilitated meeting between the Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Belgian and Romanian Parliaments

Presidium and Executive Committee meeting in Leuven

Leuven

On 24-26 March, we organised a meeting in Leuven with Presidium members and Executive Committee members.

Biennial national meeting of Hoyre-Seniors

Bergen

ESU president An Hermans and general secretary Guido Dumon were invited to Bergen, Norway, for the biennial national meeting of Hoyre-Seniors.