You may already be aware that 2012 is the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. The British Society of Gerontology Executive Committee has been working actively with the EY2012 Steering Group and is pleased to inform you of an opportunity to support the aims of the Year and showcase your own work – see below!

European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations

2012 is the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. The Year is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how Europeans are living longer and staying healthier than ever before — and to realise the opportunities that this represents.

The main objectives of EY2012 will be to:

• Promote active ageing in employment;
• Promote active ageing in the community including through active citizenship, volunteering and caring;
• Promote active ageing at home through enabling healthy ageing and independent living; and
• Enhance cooperation and solidarity between the generations.

Key stakeholders, policy makers, citizens, academics, Government departments, employers and the civil society sector are being encouraged to develop innovative ideas, create initiatives and make “commitments” to EY2012.

Get involved by making a “commitment”:

You can contribute to EY2012 by sending in a “commitment” application about any of your projects or activities you think are relevant and which meet the EY2012 objectives (as laid out above).

If you would like to make a “commitment” for 2012 the first step is to complete the form on the Get Involved page of the EY2012 website to provide an outline of your proposed “commitment” and necessary contact details.

PAU Education, who are acting as a conduit and filter for all “commitments”, will then get in touch to obtain any additional information required (if they need to) to complete the “commitment” form; it will then be submitted by them to the Commission.

All commitments that are considered to meet the Commission's criteria will be published on the EY2012 website. This is a great opportunity for BSG members to showcase their work and to raise the profile of BSG in Europe. Go for it!

Further information

More information on initiatives, events, and copies of the necessary applications forms can be found from the EY2012 website: http://europa.eu/ey2012

or you can contact the UK’s National Coordinator Jo Corkett (Redefining Retirement Division, DWP) at:
EY.2012@DWP.GSI.GOV.UK