P724 CEEFAX 724 Fri 20 May 21:17/14 1/5 EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR OLDER PEOPLE Hot on the heels of the European Year of Older People 1993, Age Concern is pressing Europe to adopt a formal agenda for older people. The European Year 1993 was hailed by age campaigners as a0great success in terms of awareness raising, projecting posithve images of older people, and helping them to feel part of the European Union (EU) integration process. Now Age Concern wants the EU to commit itself to firm policies. Contacts: page 729P724 CEEFAX 724 Fri 20 May 21:15/27 2/5 EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR OLDER PEOPLE Age Concern is advocating the launch of a second European action programme for older people, to run from 1995 to 1999. The main focuses of the action would involve research, exchange of information, cooperation and genuine consultation on EU policies affecting older people. In the meantime Age Concern has made a series of recommendation for "special measures" which the European powers could take up now. Contacts: page 729P724 CEEFAX 724 Fri 2X May 21:13/48 I O 3/5 EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR OLDER PEOPLE Age Concern is urging the EU to implement the Commission's 198] 5jcommjndation for a European Seniors pass vblid across the EU. This would make travel, culture and leisure accessible to older people travelling in Europe. Age Concern also wants to see a tightening up of the EC Directive on rights of residence - currently pjnsionjrs who have not worked (mainly women) are denied the right of residence anywhere in the EU. Contacts: page 729P724 CEEFAX 724 Fri 20 May 21:19/12 4/5 EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR OLDER PEOPLE Various areas of EU policy could bj strengthened in favour of older people, Age Concern argues, even given the limits of EU competence. For example there could bj a European wide ban on age limits in recruitment advjrtisjments both in the public and private sector. And the European Union could encourage Member States to give individuals the right and access to training and education programmer throughout their working liver. Contacts: page 729P724 CJEFAX 724 Fri 20 May 21:02/34 5/5 EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR OLDER PEOPLE Age Concern wants an EU health policy to bj coordinated among all other relevant policy areas. This would mean considering the health needs of older people when policy-making on disablity, poverty, consumer affairs, transport and environment issues Age Concern recognisjs that only issues needing a European-wide approach can bj dealt with at the EU level but feels there is great scope for agreement on principles. Contacts: page 729