National Action Plan for the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations (2012) in Poland
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Ministry of Labourand Social Policy NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE EUROPEAN YEAR FOR ACTIVE AGEING AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN GENERATIONS (2012) IN POLAND IT IS WORTH BEING ACTIVE… REGARDLESS OF AGE Warsaw, January 2012 Foreword by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy Demographic changes in Poland, similar to those observed in most of the European Union countries, require that State policy adopt a special approach to the problems of the ageing population. The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012) initiative (Decision No 940/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 September 2011) is particularly valuable and justified since it will make it possible to discuss together, at the EU and national levels, the construction of an appropriate model for active ageing. In the context of these activities it is certainly important to stress the role of dialogue and cooperation between younger and older persons which forms the basis of solidarity between generations. I hope that activities which we will undertake during this Year in cooperation with other Ministries and institutions will make a significant contribution to the promotion of the idea of professional and social activity of older people and will help to emphasise the role of solidarity between generations in the social and economic development of our country. Foreword by the National Coordinator of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012) in Poland, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy In view of the demographic situation in many European countries, including Poland, it will be difficult, without measures promoting longer professional and social activity, to ensure stability of social security systems, and, at the same time, to a large extent the potential of older people may not be availed of. The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012) will help to popularise and promote these challenges. Poland supports the idea of the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012), as stated in the Polish Government position of 2010 on the Communication from the Commission (COM(2010) 462). The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, which coordinates activities related to the EY 2012 in Poland, prepared a National Action Plan for the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012) in Poland. I hope that the Action Plan for 2012 presented here will contribute to promoting amongst different generations the idea of economic and social activity of older people, and that the effects of measures undertaken will foster expected changes in this area. Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4 1. National context – challenges for active ageing................................................................................... 4 1.1. National measures in support of older people – central dimension ............................................ 9 1.2. Measures in support of older people – regional and local dimensions ...................................... 29 1.3. New initiatives in the area of active ageing and promotion of measures for integration between generations .............................................................................................. 30 2. Entities involved in activities supporting active ageing .................................................................... 30 2.1. Public administration ................................................................................................................. 30 2.2. Non-governmental organisations and involvement of civil society ........................................ 30 3. Information activities during EY 2012 .............................................................................................. 31 4. Annex................................................................................................................................................. 34 4.1. Calendar of central events..................................................................................................... 34 4.2. Calendar of regional events................................................................................................... 35 4.3. List of initiatives of Universities of the Third Age .............................................................. 37 Introduction Activities in support of active ageing are within the competences of Member States. However, initiatives undertaken at the European Union level are of considerable importance for wider dissemination of knowledge about challenges facing Member States, as well as for the introduction of good practices, already developed in some EU countries, to the economic and social policies of other Member States. One of the main problems which is perceived as a weakness of Europe in the Europe 2020 strategy is the ageing of European States’ populations. The EY 2012 idea is a valuable element of social policy, including labour market policy, which should tackle main social challenges, and thus contribute to the implementation of the social objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy at the national and EU levels. The initiative which is the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 (EY 2012) will contribute to an exchange of experience and good practices as regards more active participation of people aged over 60 in many areas of economic, social and cultural life. In addition, different age groups should be involved in activities in support of EY 2012, in order to promote a culture of vocational and social activity in a life-long perspective. It is important to use the European Year 2012 to promote initiatives among all interested parties, and in particular among older people (more than 60 years old), among workers aged over 50, among local authorities, employers, social partners and non-governmental organisations. It is important to take into account the needs of older people when they are still active on the labour market and to devise tools and instruments which will help to ensure longer vocational activity on their part. In addition, to promote solidarity between generations it is important to popularise among all age groups the requirements, possibilities and advantages of greater vocational and social activity on the part of older people. All the activities for the benefit of older people should be guided by the idea of dignified ageing, which means applying methods of active ageing adapted to health conditions at different stages of ageing1. 1. National context – challenges for active ageing Activities for the benefit of older people cover many areas and require systemic solutions. The experience of European countries with a high proportion of active older people indicates that, beside social policy institutions, the so-called grass-roots initiatives play an important role. They are implemented mainly by the third sector institutions as part of the involvement of civil society in the promotion of active ageing. An ageing society in Poland involves new challenges for social policy. In respect of people who are fifty years old and more, the main focus should be on creating conditions which 1 In view of imminent demographic changes, the number of older people who are most at risk because of chronic health conditions and disabilities will increase. The number of such persons will double from 1.9 million in 2012 to 4 million in 2030. This will make it necessary to develop measures promoting social and vocational activation of older people and to face challenges connected with devising an effective strategy for ageing in good health. 4 will support their further personal and vocational development, encouraging them to be active in society, to play various social roles, and to maintain general fitness and vitality. Measures aimed at changing attitudes towards this social group should be treated as a priority. Special attention should be paid to individuals who can become marginalised and are at risk of social exclusion. In order to increase the independence, activity and self- reliance of older people, it is necessary to empower them. Without such empowerment, it is difficult to imagine any significant progress in the implementation of programmes aimed at better integration of older people. In order to achieve this empowerment, it is important to foster the activity of older people in public and cultural life, in volunteering, and to promote their longer stay in employment. Legal changes are being introduced which contribute to meeting these objectives. They make it possible to create different types of support schemes for active ageing and different other forms of support for those people who become unable to solve the problems of everyday life. At present, activities carried out by many entities dealing with social assistance address these needs. However, in view of an increasing number of people requiring assistance, these activities should be intensified and coordinated between social assistance services and social partners. Activities which should be treated as priorities are those involving the development of a wide spectrum of care services, mainly addressed to elderly, lonely people, unable to cope with everyday life, who cannot expect the support of family or relatives in day-to- day living. Demographic challenges Poland