Portugal opent officieel het 'Europees Jaar van actief ouder worden en solidariteit tussen generaties' (en)

The European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations was officially launched in Portugal on February 28th at an event which took place at the Cinema São Jorge in Lisbon.

The opening speech was delivered by the Acting Head of the European Commission Representation in Portugal, Luiz Sá Pessoa, followed by the National Coordinator of the EY in Portugal, Joaquina Madeira, who presented the programme of activities to be held in the following months and highlighted the need to “raise awareness among policy-makers and authorities about the need to create (...) the best conditions for an active ageing.”

Moderated by journalist Fátima Campos Ferreira, a panel of expert discussed about the theme “Active Ageing: The current reality and future prospects in a society for all ages”. Professor Maria João Valente Rosa, director of the project PORDATA, focused on a demographic analysis of ageing trends in Portugal; Francisco George, National General Health Administrator, addressed health issues, and José da Silva Peneda, Head of the Economic and Social Council, spoke about ageing and employment.

Journalist Fernanda Freitas was presented as the National Ambassador for the EY 2012. She was also in charge of presenting the findings of the World Café, a working session which had taken place simultaneously to the debate and where 50 people from different ages participated in stimulating intergenerational conversations.

The Portuguese Minister of Solidarity and Social Security, Pedro Mota Soares, delivered the closing speech, emphasising on the need to “commit to build a society for all ages.” According to the minister, “active ageing is a project of life” and it should “not to be decided at the time of retirement.”

Images of the event are available here.