ESU Annual Report 2023
Online
Our ESU 2023 Annual Report is available
The European Seniors’ Union and the Senior Citizens Organisation of Cyprus considered it a great honour to be hosted by the University of Nicosia in the esteemed ‘UNESCO’ Amphitheatre. The Cyprus Conference, held from November 23rd to 25th, was presented by Prof. Constantinos N. Phellas, the Senior Vice Rector of the University of Nicosia, as an exploration into the characteristics of ageing in contemporary society.
Initially, Prof. Steven Van Hecke shed light on key priorities and impending challenges the EU must address in the near future, delving into the query of “What citizens expect from Europe.” MEP Dr. Eleni Stavrou also tackled this topic, providing insights from the perspective of the European Parliament.
During the latter part of the event, a panel comprising distinguished scientists and practitioners was ready to impart their expertise and perspectives to seniors from Cyprus alongside an international delegation of over 30 delegates from ESU. The complete event program is accessible here. Throughout these presentations and a meeting held in the House of Representatives with its President Annita Demetriou, we exchanged experiences, finding a wealth of knowledge from our colleagues in Cyprus.
How can the ‘European Care strategy’ launched in September 2022 be implemented and what can seniors’ associations add to the development? These were the questions raised by Secretary general Guido Dumon at the end of the Conference day. ‘We must try to be part of the policy processes in the Member States’ Guido Dumon stated ‘and ensure the integration of the principles of the strategy in the daily care practice. There is still a lot of work to do.’
Every government faces the challenges and opportunities presented by ageing populations. All societies must discover the foundational elements for fostering enduring societies. Despite the prevailing focus on geopolitical issues and crises, we must address what Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission, referred to as “Demographic Change is one of the ‘deepest-lying challenges’ for European societies” at the onset of her mandate overseeing the development and coordination of European initiatives in the domain of ‘Ageing better’’. Governments at all tiers have a vested interest in effectively addressing the impact of demographic shifts for the wellbeing of all generations.
Effectively responding to demographic changes hinges upon several strategic inquiries: how can we spur innovation and productivity? How can we enhance workforce participation? How do we modernise healthcare systems, social protections, and services, while tackling regional disparities? Moreover, we must closely examine individuals’ social well-being and their ability to grapple with issues such as loneliness, social isolation, mental health, economic resilience, and long-term healthcare needs.These are some primordial questions that came across during the conference and answers to many of these questions lie within the purview of Member States and local governments. Collaborative efforts across all levels of policy making should serve as a pivotal starting point to confront the challenges and possibilities associated with increased longevity.