Justification
The percentage of older people in Europe is increasing and they
are growing more active. This demographic phenomenon obviously
creates various problems. These cannot be solved without the
active co-operation of seniors, whose knowledge and experience
can create new input. We want to encourage seniors to express
their opinions openly to give this input. We demand that seniors
should be able to influence political decisions and solutions. We
want to establish an open discussion about those topics to the
younger generation, especially the Young Greens! A political
programme solely targeted on the views of senior citizens would
be too limited. In 2003 Green Parties from all European countries
decided to co-operate within one European Green Party, in
diversity. This decision offers an opportunity to elaborate
solutions for problems which need a European approach. In our
opinion European Green Seniors must have their own input into
this procedure.
Aim
A well organized input is only possible when European Green
Seniors are in common and regular consultation about: ecology,
social security, healthcare, employment, food care, mobility,
multiculturalism, pensions and other actual problems and our
specific fields of interest like whole life learning, voluntary
work and a sustainable society. Out of these consultations common
"inclusive" points of view can be fostered which can inspire the
political work of the Green Fraction in European Parliament. By
common and sustaining actions we will be able to empower our
points of view and to make them public on a larger scale. Finally
we will work for the translation of Green European directives (in
general, and specifically regarding senior problems) at other
levels.
Means
Common consultations and discussions will give us a chance to
gain an insight in, and reckon with specific problems in the
regions and how they are handled. This contact will also
contribute to a better understanding and to mutual respect. The
exchange of experiences can contribute to the start of new green
senior organisations in other regions. But first of all
consultations of European Green Seniors will enable us to
elaborate common points of view regarding preceding topics and to
bring them into the European Parliament by our Green
representatives. In this way, in the long term, it will be
possible to establish common rights and duties for seniors in
Europe. |
