Conferentie "Sociale voorzieningen en bevolkingsvoorspelling" (en)

A European conference on the link between social security and demographic change will be held on 7 and 8 November 2008 in Paris. It is being organised by the French social security funds, in the framework of the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In 2050, one in three Europeans will be over 60 years of age and one in ten will be over 80 years of age. This is the greatest demographic mutation in the contemporary history of the continent. While it is a good thing that people are living longer, it is also a substantial challenge for the continuity of the social systems.

In order to deepen our reflections and discussions on this topic, the French social security funds have, within the framework of the French presidency, decided to organise a conference on the issue of the link between social security and demographic changes, which will take place on 7 and 8 November 2008 in Paris. This is a subject that concerns everyone in our daily life and involves the question of common values shared by Europeans in terms of social protection. This conference will bring together European political decision makers, representatives from the social systems and academia in order to share know-how, knowledge and experiences.

In particular, the conference will provide an opportunity to discuss these initiatives and recall the stakes involved in demographic change for the European Union on health, economic, social and political grounds: how will we grow old tomorrow, in what state of health, under what living conditions? Upstream, how will we adapt family policy? What form will social protection take for an ageing Europe?

The conference will also be the occasion to present the action and mobilisation of the social security bodies to compete in drawing up innovative solutions, in line with the principle of solidarity. Increased life expectancy without incapacity, remaining active in old age, new family solidarity or the need for a common European strategy will accordingly be some of the lines of thought to animate the discussions over these two days.

The results of the conference will be sent to the European Commission ahead of the "Forum on the demographic future of Europe".

Initiatives already exist at European level, such as the communication "Promoting solidarity between generations" adopted by the Commission in May 2007 and the launch of the European Alliance for the Family, which are concrete examples of the EU, the Member States, civil society and social bodies working together to improve the quality of life for Europeans.