PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

At present 17.4% of all EU citizens are age 65 and older. This represents a population of 87 million people. 20.7% of Germany's population is over 65, followed by Italy (20.2%), Greece (18.9%), Sweden (18.1%), Portugal (17.9%), Austria (17.6%), Bulgaria (17.5%), Latvia (17.4%), Belgium (17.2%), Estonia (17.1%), Finland (17.0%), Spain (16.8%), France (16.8%), Hungary (16.6%), Slovenia (16.5%), United Kingdom (16.5%), Denmark (16.3%), Lithuania (16.1%), Netherlands (15.3%), Czech Republic (15.2%), Romania (14.9%), Malta (14.8%), Luxembourg (14.0%), Poland (13.5%), Cyprus (13.1%), Slovakia (12.3%), Ireland (11.3%)

In 2020 the share of those over 65 will rise to 28% representing by then 143 million people.

While there are many associations dealing with senior issues, what is needed in light of such a dramatic increase in the number of senior citizens is the creation of an EU Council for Senior Citizens to serve as an advisory body for public authorities and institutions throughout the EU. Such a Council would work on a free and independent basis raising issues relating to senior citizens' activities and participation in society.

The task of the Council would be the following:

• To provide opportunity for discussion between Council members and representatives of public authorities and institutions about issues of significance to senior citizens;
• To give its opinion about important questions concerning senior citizens;
• To obtain information about needs, problems and solutions locally, regionally and at national level in order to suggest initiatives and give recommendations to public authorities and institutions;
• To provide guidance to the public and to private and public bodies;
• To provide information externally.

The Council would consist of members who together offer a broad range of social experience and have particular insight into the position of senior citizens in society.