The German National Association of Senior Citizens’ Organisations (BAGSO) has a vision of a society where people of all generations engage in mutual dialogue and learning. As today’s young people are tomorrow’s older adults, we must build a Europe where everyone can age with rights and dignity. We urge the EU to embed age equality as core principle in all policies and initiatives as a contribution to sustainable growth, competitiveness and cohesion.
We therefore echo the call by AGE Platform Europe for a dedicated EU Action Plan to Combat Ageism based on human rights, intersectionality, equality and solidarity within and between generations. At the same time, we affirm our belief that intergenerational solidarity is essential for a just and inclusive Europe. Many older people feel responsible for the future of coming generations and want to ensure good living conditions in the future. Issues such as peace, human rights, sustainable livelihoods, and care systems concern us all—regardless of age. We envisage a future in which these issues are taken seriously to improve quality of life for people of all ages.