Age Concern NI European good practice

Age Concern is very much aware that all citizens of the European Union are increasingly affected by the decisions taken by the key European institutions such as the Council of Ministers, the Commission, the European Parliament and the Court of Justice. These decisions affect the daily lives of all its inhabitants - including older people.

Through AGE, Age Concern Northern Ireland is involved in a range of policy and information activities to put older people’s issues on the EU agenda and to support networking among older people’s groups. Among their guiding principles is that a change of attitudes is needed to achieve a society for all ages, seeking solidarity between generations in a way that recognises older people’s contributions to society. AGE is committed to combating all forms of age discrimination in all areas of life and aims to monitor and influence the implementation of the various EU initiatives in this area.

Age Concern Northern Ireland's vision is of a society where older people are valued, respected and participate as active and equal citizens. Its mission is to be a leading authority on the needs and aspirations of older people, working actively with them in the community, responding to need, tackling disadvantage and promoting respect for diversity.

Being members of AGE allows Age Concern Northern Ireland to stay well-informed about ageing issues in other countries. By learning from the experiences of partner organisations elsewhere in Europe, Age Concern can develop clearer and better formed arguments in relation to any proposed new legislation or initiatives effecting older people in Northern Ireland. Likewise as full participatory members of AGE, Age Concern Northern Ireland also undertakes its own responsibilities to share information with their European partners who wish to learn of the implications for older people of developments here in Northern Ireland.

Membership of AGE also opens up opportunities for changing policy at the European level and provides an opportunity for Age Concern Northern Ireland to lobby and influence the UK government and the Northern Ireland Assembly on the implementation of European policy at a local level.

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