We All are Europe - AESAEC
We All are Europe - AESAEC
We All are Europe - AESAEC
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Module 1 – The <strong>Europe</strong>an Union and its Relevance for Senior Citizens<br />
of civilisation and should not be considered as a threat. The ageing society simply requires many<br />
changes to the role of older people and to the roles of other generations, including many changes in<br />
their mutual relationships. Above all, it requires the active participation of all citizens within the<br />
member states of the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union.<br />
There <strong>are</strong> many issues with respect to older people:<br />
working longer under better conditions<br />
preparing for volunteering whilst still in paid employment<br />
working as a volunteer on an individual basis or in an organised way within public institutions<br />
and other organisations during retirement<br />
having a different position within families<br />
taking part in lifelong learning and education<br />
participating in local communities<br />
participating in taking decisions in municipality matters such as education, health, culture,<br />
transport, social protection, alleviating poverty etc<br />
<strong>All</strong> of these issues plus others <strong>are</strong> important to older people and not just matters such as pension<br />
schemes and pension reforms that <strong>are</strong> reported so often.<br />
Therefore understanding the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union, as well as how and why it has been integrating, will<br />
provide a better grasp of how its institutions and advisory bodies function for your benefit. Moreover,<br />
you will then understand better which non-governmental organisations operate at the <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
level for your benefit and how you, as senior citizens, can participate in shaping EU policies<br />
concerning your own and other generations. Above all, you may develop an idea of how you can<br />
contribute to the reality of the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union. Together we can make <strong>Europe</strong> a better place to<br />
live!<br />
Reflection / Discuss<br />
Have you learnt anything new about the EU in this module, about opportunities for senior citizens or<br />
yourself in the EU, or about options for your engagement within the concept of the EU Hopefully<br />
yes – however, please reflect upon this module within group discussions. It is up to you which issues<br />
you would like to focus on. Perhaps the following questions can give you a helping hand:<br />
• To what extent is ageing likely to affect how our societies function<br />
• If you wanted to tackle an older people’s issue, which institutions or organisations would<br />
you contact, why and how<br />
• How can we support generations in the middle to provide a link between all the generations<br />
and how can we support all generations to co-operate with each other<br />
• How can we preserve the cultural heritage of older people and pass it on to younger generations<br />
• How can we support senior citizens to continue in employment for longer<br />
• How can we help older people update their skills and make others more aw<strong>are</strong> of what they<br />
can contribute<br />
Hints for additional activities supporting this module<br />
• Spend some time on the websites indicated in this module and find out whether or not they<br />
<strong>are</strong> of some interest to you.<br />
• Try to find local / national offices representing the EU in your country / region – and arrange<br />
a date to visit them.<br />
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