Europe for citizens

“It is a grave mistake, especially given the current social and economic situation, to speak of young and elderly people only in future terms.  We must also, and especially, speak of them in present terms,” declared Pilar Varela Díaz, mayor of Avilés during a session on “Dialogue and solidarity across the generations”.

The session was organised on 27 September 2012 in the framework of the General Assembly of European Municipalities and Regions and saw participants notably exchange on the “Europe for citizens” programme as a means of adding an intergenerational dimension to the inter-European exchanges it promotes via twinning links.

“Solidarity between generations is vital as youngsters bring their energy and dreams to the table, while the elderly bring their experience and enthusiasm built over the years,” continued Varela Díaz.

Brian Beach, from the Oxford Institute of Ageing, shared a concrete example from one of London’s most diverse boroughs.  Thanks to a programme called “Prescription for Art”, the young and elderly are brought together to do arts and crafts, an activity which has proven to lead to the general improvement of the seniors’ clinical health, all the while helping combat isolation and create a new social life.