In an intergenerationally fair future, people of all ages should enjoy equality in daily life – education, employment, clean air and water, accessible housing and transport, universal, affordable and person-cantered healthcare, adequate income, inclusive civic and political participation...
For older people, this means access to lifelong learning, meaningful employment, sustainable and adequate old-age income, age-friendly environments, goods and services, including the choice between both traditional and digital solutions. All generations should be equally valued, their perspectives heard and respected. In a truly inclusive society, ageing should be celebrated – not seen as a burden – and ageism combated like any other form of discrimination that hinders individual well-being, solidarity and social cohesion.
To build a society that values every person and generation and protects human rights from birth to death, AGE Platform Europe calls for an EU Action Plan to Combat Ageism, embedded in a broader EU Strategy on Intergenerational Fairness.
Ageism is not yet addressed with the same ambition as other forms of discrimination so political will is needed. Coherence between EU and national equality frameworks is vital to support social cohesion, well-being, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Only by affirming the equal worth and rights of all generations can we build in solidarity an inclusive and sustainable Europe – where everyone can thrive at every stage of life.