It was with great pleasure and interest that I accepted the invitation of the Commissioner for Citizens to address today's lecture organised in the framework of the Free University of Citizens, giving us the opportunity to exchange views and listen to contributions on important social issues of concern to citizens.
In addition to encouraging citizens to participate in public life, the Free University helps all of us, the executive and the academic community, to better understand the needs of citizens, and thus to implement transparent policies that ensure the protection of their rights.
At European level, this year has been designated as the European Year of Youth, and EU Member States are implementing national actions to strengthen participatory and consultative democracy, giving a voice to young people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic in the last two years.
At national level, the Office of the Citizens' Commissioner, as the coordinator of the actions for the European Year of Youth, is conducting a dialogue with civil society in order to identify areas for new opportunities to encourage young people to be part of the process of shaping a democratic, greener, more digital and inclusive society in Cyprus and in Europe.
Dear Friends,
Inextricably linked to youth empowerment actions is the protection not only of young people themselves, but also of the vulnerable group of older people, as well as the preservation of social cohesion and the narrowing of the intergenerational gap. Over the last century, the steady increase in life expectancy in the European Union has led to an increase in longevity, which is a success for modern societies.
Active ageing is a process aimed at improving the quality of life of people as they age, through optimising opportunities for health, participation and security. Compared to previous decades, the ageing population of the modern period is healthier, with a higher level of education and more prospects and opportunities for employment and active participation in social life.
In today's society with its constant changes and major economic and political challenges, the continuous participation of citizens in social, economic and cultural matters is essential, as it ensures that older people maintain their autonomy and independence, allowing them to take part in the life of the community. Moreover, the ageing process takes place in the context of family and friendship, making solidarity and intergenerational interdependence important principles of active ageing.
As a Government, we place high on our priorities the promotion of the active participation of older citizens in all aspects of society, while promoting actions that strengthen solidarity between generations.
In particular, we focus on measures such as. With the operation of the General Health System, all citizens of our country, regardless of age, are offered equal access to high quality medical care. The introduction of the institution of the Personal Physician within the framework of the General Health System contributes to the achievement of our goal of diagnosis in the early stages of the disease and, therefore, early treatment, which helps to reduce expenditure on health services and improve life expectancy. [/LIST]
- Ensuring adequate incomes for older people through pension schemes and support mechanisms for older people on the poverty line. With a view to improving the quality of life of older people and gradually reducing the number of people living below the poverty line, older people, in addition to pensions, can benefit through the Minimum Guaranteed Income to further financial support and support in terms of care and strengthening their relationships with their family and community. In addition, the Low Income Pensioner Support Scheme provides a benefit to households below the poverty line with at least one pensioner. The amount of the Low Pensioner's Allowance ensures that all recipients have aggregate incomes above the poverty line.
- Encouraging older people to become more involved in social, economic, cultural and civic activities. In addition to the pleasure and joy they bring to themselves, the active role of older people in society has positive benefits for their well-being, their physical and mental health, their socialisation and for society as a whole. A typical example of our intention to encourage older people to continue their socialisation and at the same time integrate sport into their lives is the cooperation we have developed with the Cyprus Sports Organisation and the Third Age Observatory for the implementation of sport programmes for older people in the framework of the Sport for All action.
- The promotion of independent living, through the operation of support centres for the elderly, mainly in the countryside and in mountainous and remote areas, where the inhabitants are mainly elderly people living away from their families. In these places, older people have the opportunity to socialise with other people, to talk and to engage in constructive and enjoyable activities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As governments and societies, we face the great challenge of keeping the ageing population active and healthy, while raising awareness among younger generations of the value of cultivating the principles of solidarity and social cohesion and justice, protection and equality between generations.
To this end, efforts need to be stepped up for integrated actions such as lifelong learning through policies to keep older people active, investing in younger generations and especially in young people to get them into work, using and passing on the knowledge, experience and skills of older people, promoting actions to encourage cooperation between generations and reducing prejudices and stereotypes about the role of each generation in society.
Further actions concern the promotion of measures to support the family institution in order to facilitate the participation of women and men in the labour market and to promote the reconciliation of family and professional life, thus reducing poverty and social exclusion and eliminating to a certain extent the problem of under-generation, provided that the care of children and elderly family members is ensured.
Dear Friends,
In the maelstrom of difficult circumstances caused by the pandemic and developments on the European political scene due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is the Government's conviction that the preservation of social cohesion is essential.
I would like to convey our commitment to developing the right policies that will ensure conditions for active ageing, but at the same time maintain solidarity among all age groups.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the Office of the Citizens' Commissioner and the University of Nicosia for their initiative to organise today's lecture, thus giving us the opportunity to exchange thoughts and positions on our next steps.
I am sure we will have a productive discussion. I wish you every success in all your future activities. Thank you for your attention.
(IK)
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