To achieve an ‘Equality Union’, we need to tackle age discrimination and the structural barriers that prevent people of all ages from enjoying equality throughout their lives. Challenging discriminatory narratives and practices, such as ageism, and reviewing socio-economic policies on the basis of intergenerational solidarity and fairness is vital to deal with a fractured and fragmented society and economy.
AGE Platform Europe is calling to embrace age equality into all European policies and initiatives to ensure that the needs and aspirations of an ageing society are met: https://www.age-platform.eu/areas-of-work/age-equality/
It is about conceiving fairness, inclusion and cohesion throughout life and across all areas, in education, employment, health and care, adequate income, civic and political participation etc.
Ageing is an opportunity, even more so in times of multiple crises; we can only build resilience and prosperity in a society where people thrive at all ages, where our differences are mutually nourished by respect and solidarity.
To achieve age equality, we need an EU Action Plan to Combat Ageism. The plan should be an integral part of the EU's Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness, based on human rights, intersectionality, equality and solidarity within and between generations. It should ensure coherence between the EU's and member states' commitments to equal rights for all ages, while contributing to sustainable growth, competitiveness and cohesion.