ELDR theme resolution - Inter-generational Dimensions of Demographic Change

And now for the fourth and final instalment of the theme resolution...

Inter-generational Dimensions of Demographic Change

• Notes that the overwhelming majority of people choose to live independently in later life, but with good family and social links and considers that autonomy in later life, with family and community inter-dependence achieves both what people want and reduces the strain on services and associated costs;
• Notes that the unemployment rate is increasing across the EU among the 18-24 and 50+ age ranges, accompanied by a rise in the number of young people that are in neither education, employment or training;
• Notes that young people will bear the brunt of the after effects of the global economic and financial recession in terms of their level of debt and reduced spending power;
• Notes that social democrats use early retirement as a short-term answer to unemployment;
• Notes that the longer people remain active in society, the healthier their lives will be and the greater sense of well-being they will achieve;
• Considers that individuals must have the right of self-determination over how they live their lives, whether they are young and seeking opportunities in education and work or older people wishing to remain in employment and as active members of society;
• Considers that young people must be encouraged to take up their responsibilities as members of society, whether through work and the betterment of their standard of living or volunteering;
• Considers that both increasing the percentage of experienced and skilled older people in the workplace and supporting young people at their point of entry into the labour market are advantageous;
• Calls for the extension of flexible working practices, including home-working, as a means to allow people to fulfil their work and private commitments to meet their individual needs;
• Calls on member states and EU institutions to invest more in education at school age levels and, more broadly, for a greater commitment to improving education levels among young adults, both for the good of the individual and Europe’s prosperity;
• Calls for initiatives which promote inter-generational links and contributions by older and younger people to benefit all generations.

In truth, much of this is aspirational, but is at least consistent with Party thinking.

The big question is, how much of this will survive the amendment process? Next, I'll look at the amendments as currently available, to see what impact they might have...