History of the ENGS

–        Age discrimination on the labour market (Kaarina Kytömaa, Finland)

–        Economy without growth (Dr. W. Knabe)

–        Towards a European Green Party (Ludo Diericks)

–        Lecture about Housing for Elderly (Harald Wölter)

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–       “International Elderly Rights and Obligations”’ Anita Kelles

–       “Age Border Laws” Tom van der Wal

–       Paper: “Elderly Rights in the European Charter for Safeguarding of Human Rights in the City” Ute Schmitz

–       Power Point Presentation: “Proposal of Elderly Declaration of Right” by Birgit Meinhard-Schiebel

–        Age Discrimination

–        Age Poverty

–        A Pension Model for Europe

General Assembly: a new concept – to get in contact with European politicians who are responsible for generation policy and wish a good exchange. Workshop for all generations: “How to create a successful election campaign?” with Johannes Hillje, campaign manager, European Greens, Brussels.

–                Vice Chairwoman            Vivianne Gunnarsson (S)

–                Treasurer                             Tony Cooreman (B)

–                Secretary General           Frank Hauser (D)

–                Legal Officer                        Reino Lampinen (FI)

–                Press Officer                       Birgit Meinhard-Schiebel (A)

Fringe meeting “Solidarity and Freedom for Europe – clear words, clear position – what holds Europe together?” The open round table was coordinated by Birgit Meinhard-Schiebel. Due to attacks in Paris, Ankara and Brussels the round table discussed democracy and a peaceful society ending in a written statement about: “We the older generation are also responsible for how future generations can live together in solidarity”.

–        Climate Change and the elderly

–        Climate Change under the aspects of housing

–        What is to do on ageism in working markets?

–        Labour law and anti-discrimination acts

–        Gender pay gap and Gender pension gap

A fringe meeting was held on Gender pension gap. Chairwoman Annette Muggenthaler presented. Several participants from the EGP attended. It was decided to produce a folder about the organization. This was realized 2017. The pictures from the fringe meeting and a short report were published on facebook.

–       Extension of the ENGS

–       Planning of an extraordinary meeting of the Board in Hamburg

–       ENGS gave comments on the Statement on “the third pillar (of the EU) on social rights, an age perspective”. EGP was preparing a resolution and the EGP Council decided on a proposal by Ska Keller to set up an activity group to elaborate the resolution. ENGS will ask for a place there.

It was decided to share the work between the Board members and the vice-chair would take on the responsibility as the chair until next General assembly. The board was invited to a meeting with the Hamburg seniors by their chair Christa Möller.

A fringe meeting was held under the title “No discrimination for the elderly in the job market”. Vivianne Gunnarsson made an introduction to the fringe with facts about the job market in Europe. There exists age discrimination all over Europe and that people fall out from the job market earlier than ever. A summary can be found on the web site. Stefan Nilsson, Sweden, member of national parliament, introduced a Swedish study on reasons for discrimination in the job market. The discussion after the presentation concentrated on the voluntary work of/for the aged – this could be an issue to be dealt with in the future.

ENGS had no candidate for the chair. Hence, Vivianne Gunnarsson continues as vice chair but with the responsibilities as a chair. At the Board meeting it was decided to continue to invite Christa Möller to the board meetings.

At the EGP meeting the resolution in Liverpool from the French group on strengthening the pillar of Social Rights was not carried.

The Flemish greens had put forward a resolution on the social pillar issue on which ENGS had made amendments. Two of these were taken by EGP. The Board was dissatisfied on the EGP Resolution and tries to raise the issue of the elderly with the EGP.

Parts of the board visited our founder Tony Cooreman who was in hospital since a long time.

A fringe meeting was a seminary held under title “Losing Elections by losing the elderly Voters” presented by Frank Hauser, Secretary General. A note based on the presentation was sent 3.6.2018 to Monica Frassoni and Reinhardt Bütikofer, chairs of the EGP, and the Secretary General, Mar Garcia. The latter answered promising to take the note to the committee preparing EGP Manifesto for next six years.

Vivianne Gunnarsson promised to continue as a vice chair with the responsibility of chair until someone else steps forward. Kris Fierens was elected to be our new Treasurer.

In the general assembly we gave our Tribute to our Co-Founder, Board member and Treasurer Tony Cooremans who died 7.7.2018. Kris Fierens and Frank Hauser had attended the funeral to give Tony a farewell in the name of ENGS. In the death notice and announcement for the funeral was written that he was “Oprichter van het European Network of Green Seniors”. Memoriam was closed with the minute of silence. ENGS had arranged a table with a book and photo of Tony Cooreman for people to give condolence.

The Fringe meeting in Berlin was a round table for discussing on more elderly to vote in the EU elections, coordinated by Frank Hauser and Vivianne Gunnarsson. The discussion was arranged on the basis of Frank Hauser’s report in the 19.5.2018 Assembly.

–       More membership organisations and more engagements of persons

–       Silver Economy

–       Age friendly cities including WHO Network

–       Grannies/Grandpas for climate

–       Volunteer work and the labour markets

–       Biodiversity – how does this effect the elderly

In the next meeting in Tampere November 2019 we planned to make plans for the future of ENGS.

–        Frank Hauser, Germany, secretary general (continues for one year)

–        Kris Fierens, Belgium, treasurer

–        Reino Lampinen, Finland, legal officer (continues for one year)

–        Christa Möller, Germany, press and social media officer (to be confirmed)

–        Agneta Granström, Sweden

–        Irmgard Seidler, Austria

At the fringe meeting a presentation by Reino Lampinen on the programme of the new Government in Finland and its promises concerning the elderly. The slides and minutes from Lampinen’s lecture are on the website.

At the Board meeting three first items were chosen for next three years period, namely Age-friendly cities, Age-friendly remote areas and Silver economy. Areas like pneumonia vaccination and voluntary work were also discussed. We also planned the future of ENGS. Next Fringe meeting will be managed by Frank Hauser and Christa Möller about Age friendly cities.