The number of elderly people throughout the world is increasing more rapidly than any other age group, resulting in the accelerated aging of the population and increased life expectancy. This demographic change is the result of public health policies and social and economic development, and requires changes in the attitudes and responses of public authorities, social and economic actors and society in general.
The percentage of the population over 65 years old will double in Andalusia in four decades and by 2050 will have reached 29%. At present, approximately 1,200,000 people over 65 years live in Andalusia, equivalent to 14.6% of the population. Of those, almost 300,000 are aged 80 or more. Moreover, demographic research has revealed a feminisation of the aging process: 16.9% of women are over 65 years old today, compared to 12.7% of men. Forecasts predict that this gap will increase and that by 2050, 31.9% of Andalusian females will be over 65, compared to 26.3% of men.
According to the World Health Organisation, countries may tackle the challenges of an aging society with programmes to improve the quality of life of aging people by enhancing their opportunities for a healthy, participatory and secure life. Moreover, active aging policies contribute to the economic development and progress of the regions, affecting the market and job creation.
The Junta de Andalucía, through the Department for Equality and Social Welfare, is organising the "International Conference on Active Aging: the White Paper for Active Aging in Andalusia", which will be held on 14 and 15 June 2010 at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in Seville. The conference will present the White Paper on Active Aging in Andalusia and more than 500 experts are expected to attend the conference, which will look at strategies and actions to improve senior citizen welfare and citizens in general.
The White Paper for Active Aging in Andalusia is a document which analyses, discusses and reflects this situation while also serving as a guide to action for increasing the active role of the elderly in society and ensuring that their value is reflected in other generations.
Members of the Andalusian Department for the Elderly, together with 60 experts from public administrations, universities and social actors have participated in writing this document, which analyses the new needs of the elderly population. It considers five areas of action: forecast for active aging and transversality, health, safety, participation, contribution and innovation and training for life.
The White Paper on Active Aging has taken an approach open to participation by every sector, promoting new opportunities based on the gender perspective and intergenerationality.
In summary, the White Paper on Active Aging could be said to be the roadmap for the policies to be developed in Andalusia in forthcoming years concerning senior citizens, and as such will be a basic pillar for the construction of a model of society which strengthens and broadens the Welfare State.
DEPARTMENT FOR EQUALITY AND SOCIAL WELFARE
JUNTA DE ANDALUCÍA
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