o lder p eople ’ s platform the flemish council of the elderly
TRANSCRIPT
OLDER PEOPLE’S PLATFORM
The Flemish Council of the Elderly
THREE LEVELS IN BELGIUM
HISTORY
1993: OOK vzw Umbrella organisation of organisations of
older people Unique Different ideologies and political belief Recognised by the government as
representative contact 2005: advising role = The Flemish Council
of the Elderly
POLICY PARTICIPATION
= aims to voice and defend the interests of older and retired people
Direct participation Indirect participation = voice of the elderly Focus on a wide range of policy areas Older people should be able to speak out on
their own behalf
DECREECONCERNING THE STIMULATION OF AN INCLUSIVE POLICY FOR THE ELDERLY IN FLANDERS AND THE PARTICIPATION OF THE ELDERLY
21 APRIL 2004=> COORDINATING MINISTER=> FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY=> POLICY FOR ELDERLY AT LOCAL
LEVEL
IMPLEMENTING2 SEPTEMBER 2005
Appointment of a coordinating minister
Establishment and set up of the Flemish Council of the Elderly
OOK = Flemish Council of the Elderly
THE FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY
Non profit organisation
Duration of the Council per governing period
Grant
THE FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY
Council of the Elderly 60 % are 60-plus Chairman is an older person (60+)
Representative
Expertise
Autonomy
COMPOSITION
Representative through recognised older people’s organisations
Older experts
Give advice but don’t have a vote:VVSG – VvP Joined members
= diverse older people’s organisations
THE FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY
Core business: giving adviceown initativeon requestabout everything that concerns older peopleTherefore: follow the developments and be alert for the needs of the elderly
ADVICE INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY
Together with the Flemish Youth Council
Greater solidarity between generations
THE FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY
Other objectives: Information, newsletter – website
– answer questionsRaising awareness, e.g. negative
imagingWarning function, e.g. digital
exclusionResearch (support, participate in
peergroups)
INFORM
WWW.VLAAMSE-OUDERENRAAD.BE
RAISE AWARENESS
Bend the negative imaging
Describe the diversity among the elderly population
STRUCTURE Flemish Council of the elderly = the
elderly (or their representatives), volunteers
Democratic
Decision making bodies: General Assembly and the Board
Executive Committee (= spokesmen)
Search for consensus
How do we operate?
Based on the input of the elderly Committees prepare the advice and view
points Composition of the committees =
representatives of the elderly organisations, experts, professionals
Current and necessary themes: sport, accesibility, lifelong learning, …
Frequency of the meetings: depends on the necessity
COMMITEES
Income, economy and work: adequate pensions
International Elderly Policy: Age discrimination
Mobility: transport systems and accessibilitySports and movement: raising awareness
amoung the elderly and the policy-makersHealth, Welfare and Care: healthy ageing,
promoting home healthcare and avoid dependency
Culture, Life-long learning and citizenship
How do we operate?
Annualy: Elderly Week, 3rd week of November Themes: Poverty, Security, Elderly Policy, Diversity, the role of the elderly in the society, …
Congress of the elderly: dialogue between elderly, politicians and experts
Improve and stimulate the participation of the elderly
ELDERLY WEEK 2008 - 2009
Theme:Role of the elderly in
our society
Slogan: Each role is
meaningful
THE WINNING BOOK
EVENT DURING THE ELDERY WEEK
ACHIEVEMENTS
Unique platformPosition statementsDecree: Policy participation of the
elderlyRecognised by the government as
Council of the ElderlyMore attention from policy-makers
ACHIEVEMENTS
Council of the elderly at each level: Flemish, provincial and local level
A brochure about policy participation Each year a brochure of the Elderly
Week Representative: hearings, 31
organisations that work for or with older people
Become more well known …
STRENGTHS
Consensus through consideration Respect for the diversity between
the different organisations and for their individuality
Commitment of older volunteers Competence of older people and
their organisations
FLEMISH COUNCIL OF THE ELDERLY IS A MEMBER OF ‘AGE’
European Older People’s Platform
European network
150 organisations of older people’s organisations
Representing over 25 million older people in the European Union
