Silver Economy Network of European Regions (SEN@ER)
Newsletter overview
- POLICY AND LEGISLATION
SEN@ER experts invited to a European Commission workshop on post-i2010, 15 May 2009 in Brussels
Report on the public consultation on European e-Inclusion Policy
- REPORTS FROM THE REGIONS AND ONGOING SEN@ER PROJECTS
"INDEPENDENT - ICT Enabled Service Integration for Independent Living"
- REPORTS FROM THE REGIONS AND OPERATIONAL PROJECTS ONGOING SEN@ER PROJECTS
The next SEN@ER conference will take place in the city of Limoges in the French Limousin Region
Age Simulator Suit (Modularer Alterssimulationsanzug MAX)
"AAMMEE - Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe"
Workshop: "Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe - Steps towards Equal Opportunities"
- INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS
Invitation of nominations for the ACCESS-IT Awards 2009
European network of cities for local integration policies for migrants (CLIP)
A hi-tech future for ageing Europe - Futuris report on Euronews
- REPORTS AND STUDIES
ICT & Ageing study: Good Practice Cases
OECD Health Working Paper No. 42: Policies for healthy ageing - an overview
- EVENTS
POLICY AND LEGISLATION
- European Commission publication of a Commission Staff Document as an accompanying document to the "Europe's Digital Competitiveness Report" of 4 August 2009
The Commission Staff Document clearly states that digital divides still remain. In most countries, the largest disparities in internet use relate to groups aged 65-74, the economically inactive and the low educated.
TOPClick here to read more
- Ageing - a renewed strategy to tackle Europe's demographic challenge: the Commission adopted on 29 April its 2009 Communication on Ageing.
The Commission Communication takes an in-depth look at the economic and budgetary impact of an ageing population over the long-term until 2060.
The Communication identifies as one of the key policy priorities the promotion of new services and products to serve ageing populations and encourages the introduction of technology in long-term care.
TOPClick here to read more
- European Commission, DG ECFIN: Communication: Dealing with the impact of ageing population in the EU (2009 Ageing Report), 29 April 2009 refers to SEN@ER
In a recent Communication on "Dealing with the impact of ageing population in the EU (2009 Ageing Report)" of 29 April 2009 the European Commission explicitly refers to SEN@ER where European regions work together to promote the development and marketing of innovative products and services aimed at older consumers. The European Commission Communication takes an in-depth look at the economic and budgetary impact of an ageing population over the long-term until 2060 and calls for a renewed strategy to tackle Europe's demographic challenge. It clearly states that governments have a window of opportunity before the baby-boom generation retires to tackle the challenge. But the policy measures taken must be compatible with the need to support the economy at this juncture, as recommended in the December European Economic Recovery Plan. Ageing will already start affecting most EU economies in the coming decade.
TOP
- European Commission DG EMPL consultation on EU Year 2012 on Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity - Response by SEN@ER partners submitted
Following a conference on intergenerational solidarity in April 2008 under the Slovenian Presidency, the Commission is envisaging to organise a European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity. Such a European Year should strengthen intergenerational solidarity by increasing the awareness of the contribution of older people to society and by spreading innovative measures which could help to mobilise the full potential of the ageing baby-boom cohorts.
The European Commission had launched an open consultation on this proposal. The purpose of this open consultation was to collect ideas and suggestions from key stakeholders and experts on how to achieve the greatest possible impact with such a European Year and to help the Commission decide whether and how to organise a European Year.
The SEN@ER network partners have submitted a very comprehensive response to this consultation.
TOPClick here to read more
In August 2009 the European Commission DG INFSO and Media has launched a public consultation on post-i2010: priorities for new strategy for European information society (2010-2015)
The objective of the consultation is to help prepare a new EU strategy for the information society, as the current i2010 strategy is coming to a close this year. All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this consultation. Closing date of the consultation is 9 October 2009. The consultation questionnaire includes at least one section of interest to the issues relating to ageing and the silver economy. This is section E on "Coping with an ageing society"
TOPClick here to read more
- SEN@ER experts invited to a European Commission workshop on post-i2010, 15 May 2009 in Brussels
DG Information Society and Media, Unit "Lisbon Strategy and i2010" invited SEN@ER to a half day interactive workshop to prepare the launch of a public consultation on the post-i2010 strategy.
The i2010 strategy is the EU's ICT (Information and Communications Technology) strategy over the period of 2005-2010. Due to the fast moving pace of ICT developments these strategies are usually short in order to reflect market developments and changing public attitudes and needs. i2010 focuses on 3 strands:
- to create an open and competitive single market for information society and media services within the EU
- to increase EU investment in research on information and communication technologies (ICT) by 80%
- to promote an inclusive European information society.
The workshop offered the opportunity to discuss the main themes that European ICT policy should address over the coming five to ten years in the successor programme to i2010.
TOPClick here to read more
A public consultation was launched on 4 March 2009 through the European Commission's interactive Internet platform "Your voice". It closed on 6 April 2009 and its main objective was to gather views on the role of e-Inclusion in the future European strategy on the information society that will succeed the "i2010" initiative. The survey was also aimed at gathering opinions on European programmes and activities supporting e-Inclusion and cooperation modalities between European Commission services and relevant stakeholders regarding e-Inclusion activities. The results report can be downloaded here: ec.europa.eu
TOPClick here to read more
REPORTS FROM THE REGIONS AND ONGOING SEN@ER PROJECTS
- "CULTUREMAP - Study on the mapping and evaluating of existing platforms (websites) within the cultural sector aimed at stimulating debate and cross border exchange of matters concerning European culture"
SEN@ER partners from NRW (empirica, IBK Remscheid) together with partners from the SEN@ER Special Interest Group (SIG) on "Culture and Ageing", age-culture.net and a further partner from Spain have been successful in their response to General Invitation to Tender No. EACEA/2008/06 by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (European Commission DG Education and Culture) and awarded the contract for this study. The study started in July 2009 and will be completed in February 2010.
TOPClick here to read more
- "INDEPENDENT - ICT Enabled Service Integration for Independent Living"
Organisations from the SEN@ER network including Unitary Authority, Kingston upon Hull City Council and University of Hull, Institute of TeleHealth and Tunstall Healthcare (UK) Limited from Yorkshire and empirica from North Rhine-Westphalia have submitted a proposal to the CIP ICT PSP Pilot programme addressed to objective identifier: 1.3 ICT for ageing well / independent living.
The INDEPENDENT project will define, deliver and pilot a digital infrastructure supporting coordinated cross-sector delivery of timely support to prevent older people from slipping out of safe independent living, maintaining quality of life. The infrastructure enables support services to overcome limitations of sectoral telehealth and telecare and empowers informal carers and the voluntary / third sector to participate in delivery of support, thus radically improving efficiency. ICT use is extended from the high needs end to a stage where not care but preventative support is needed. "People" services for Daily Living and Activation (DALS) and Continued Wellness (CWS) break open current 'silos' in service delivery to cross-sectoral cooperation and participation of family and voluntary staff. The architecture recognises that integration of consumer and other widely available devices must be achieved and open interface standards adopted.
The innovative new services will be piloted at six sites across the Europe. Users are to be older people living independently with light to severe care or support needs, care professionals, informal carers and voluntary helpers / charity workers. Interested adopters in the public sector will be presented with guidance for uptake and evidence of all intended impacts.
TOPClick here to read more
- "eSESH - Saving Energy in Social Housing with ICT"
The Regional Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Transport of Extremadura, Regional Ministry of Industry, Energy and Environment of Extremadura; Distribuidores de Energía Eléctrica from Extremadura, Spar- und Bauverein Solingen eG, Ingenieur, Planungsgemeinschaft ENVI-GmbH and empirica from North Rhine Westphalia - all from SEN@ER partner regions, together with further partners have submitted a Pilot Type B proposal addressed to ICT PSP programme objective identifier: 4.1: ICT for energy efficiency in social housing.
The project proposal addresses the need to reduce energy consumption of the residential sector in Europe by a very significant amount to meet overall emission reduction targets. Building on first generation services today providing feedback on energy consumption to social housing tenants, advanced Energy Awareness Services (EAS) will be provided delivering tenants with direct timely and comprehensible feedback on the impact of their energy behaviour on a full range of energy types, thereby enabling tenants to help us all save energy and themselves avoid fuel poverty. Smart metering applications will be deployed to automatically avoid peak consumption and otherwise optimise the timing of domestic consumption in line with supplier requirements and tariffs as well as controlling delivery of locally generated power from renewables in a comprehensive set of Energy Management Services (EMS) for the social housing sector. Data from meters will also be used to guide energy policy decisions at regional level and investment priorities of social landlords.
TOP
- LOWCARBON - Low Carbon Knowledge Work: Exploiting the Potential of eWork and eCollaboration to Contribute to Energy Efficiency
LOWCARBON is the acronym of an IEE Intelligent Energy Europe proposal addressed to the "Energy in transport" programme with partner involvement from different SEN@ER partner regions.
The project will spread know-how and good practice about how ICT-based forms of flexible work, namely telework (eWork) and virtual collaboration (eCollaboration, incl. virtual meetings), can be used to effectively decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by knowledge work, namely by commuting and business travel.
The online tools to be developed and adopted from existing tools will include an online application for the self assessment of current eWork and eCollaboration implementations as to their ecological but also economic and social sustainability and provide further online learning material and guidance on how to improve work processes and work organisation.
TOPClick here to read more
REPORTS FROM THE REGIONS AND OPERATIONAL PROJECTS ONGOING SEN@ER PROJECTS
- The next SEN@ER conference will take place in the city of Limoges in the French Limousin Region
In 2010, on January 28th and 29th, the Limousin Regional Council will host the next European Silver Economy Network Conference. On the occasion of this event, several subjects will be approached. During these two days, the general theme will be "territories facing the reality of ageing". Around this general theme, several workshops and sessions will be dedicated to "the Silver Economy": "ageing as a source of opportunities", "the ageing phenomenon: its reality and its scope", "employment and ageing", "health and ageing" and "ICTs and ageing". These will take place on the first day. During the second day, different visits of sites in the region, a senior's fair and public debates will be organised. It is the interest of the Limousin region to raise awareness of the importance of the "silver economy" for our societies and emphasise the need to pay attention to the ageing in our society, not always consider it as a threat bus as an opportunity from which regions can reap benefits if they manage to position themselves as providers of suitable services and products for this target group.
Contact:
Délégation à la Coopération
Conseil Régional du Limousin
27 bd de la Corderie
87031 LIMOGES CEDEX
Antoine Mathieu +33555450014 / a-mathieu@cr-limousin.fr
Conference organisation: Séverine Dussouchaud +33555451740 / s-dussouchaud@cr-limousin.fr
Website (conference section under construction): www.region-limousin.fr
TOP
- Age Simulator Suit (Modularer Alterssimulationsanzug MAX)
MAX is an age simulator and explorer suit developed by the Technical University Chemnitz and initiated by the German car manufacturers AutoUnion, Audi AG and Volkswagen AG. By way of wearing and using MAX different physical restrictions older people are likely to be faced with can be simulated to the person wearing the suit including restrictions in viewing, hearing, moving, muscular strength and sensitivity.
The SEN@ER partner region Niedersachsen (Germany) being represented by LINGA belonging to the Wolfsburg AG which again is 50% owned by Europe's largest car manufacturer Volkswagen and 50% by the city of Wolfsburg has two of these age simulators at its disposal. It will be presented and demonstrated at the next SEN@ER meeting. Both age simulators will also be made available for use by the audience of the next European SEN@ER conference taking place from 28 - 29 January 2010 in Limoges in our partner region of Limousin (France).
More information and contact: info@linga-online.de
TOP
- "AAMMEE - Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe"
The AAMEE project (http://www.aamee.eu/) run by SEN@ER partners from North Rhine-Westphalia under the ENEA programme of EG EMPL from 2008 - 2009 focuses on the promotion of active ageing and social, cultural and economic integration of migrant and minority ethnic elders, emphasising volunteer activities and the emergence of new culturally sensitive products and services in the fields of, for instance, housing, care, education, leisure, culture and marketing. This will be done on the basis of a mixture of practical and scientific activities and a variety of approaches.
The project has been launched in response to the impact of demographic change as one of the greatest challenges facing the European Union and a key element to promote economic and social inclusion within the EU. Statistical data shows that the number of elders aged 65-79 will increase throughout the European Union over the next 20 years whereas the number of younger people will decrease significantly.
TOPClick here to read more
- Workshop: "Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe - Steps towards Equal Opportunities"
The Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing in North Rhine-Westphalia is organising a workshop on "Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe - Steps towards Equal Opportunities" as part of the AAMEE project on 13 October 2009 from 10:00 - 16:30 h in the North Rhine-Westphalia representation in Brussles. This workshop builds part of a series of EC events on innovative projects in Europe on the topic of demographic change. The focus of the discussion will be on equal opportunities issues for the improvement of quality of life. The discussion panel will be build by representatives from the Spanish and Belgian EU Presidency, the European Parliament, two DGs (DG EAC and DG JLS) and deal with the cornerstones for action regarding this topic.
Contact: Dr. Claus Eppe, Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing in North Rhine-Westphalia: Claus.Eppe@mgffi.nrw.de
TOP
- "Looks After You" Ejercicio te Cuida programme
In the evidence-based Exercise "Looks After You" (ELAY, El Ejercicio Te Cuida in Spanish) programme, an innovative and cost-effective socio-sanitary strategy developed by the Government of Extremadura, general practitioners refer elderly with metabolic syndrome risk or moderate depression to a sports centre, where professionals periodically assess participants (with fitness, psychosocial, and biological tests) and deliver a structured walk-based programme four days a week. The programme includes the referral to usual exercise advice, four major psychosocial reinforcements to enhance physical activity (primary care counseling, interaction to sports technician, periodical assessment reports, and peers), and easy access to walking venues in urban and rural areas.
A pilot study reported the short-term efficiency of the program (Gusi et al., BMC Public Health, 2008) at 6 months. This evidence led the multidisciplinary effort of several departments to launch a larger project because the departments of Health and Welfare save resources and improve health, but the agents of change and implementation that have to invest resources were allocated at primary care and sports departments (Consejeria de Jovenes y Deporte de la Junta de Extremadura). After the first two years, it was found that 37 sport technicians weekly attend more than 4,000 elderly living in 100 municipalities who changed some pills and consultations for walks and chatting. Preliminary results showed the cost-effectiveness of the program based on a reduction in primary care consultations and improvements in fitness and health-related quality of life. In addition, this program is highly socially visible throughout local and national media. This practice could encourage the exercise-based public health and preventive strategies for promoting health-related quality of life in elderly.
TOP
- SERENA project
SERENA a pioneer experience in Spain, in which through the use of mobile phones and internet, dependent persons and their families have access to a secure and easy tool. Through a telephone terminal connected to the TV set of the user, s/he can visualize the image of the operator that is talking from the care centre and vice versa, thanks to a series of automated TV cameras installed in the home of the user and in the working place of the operator.
TOP
INITIATIVES AND PROJECTS
- Invitation of nominations for the ACCESS-IT Awards 2009
Following the successful launch of the awards in 2008, the ACCESS-IT initiative is now open for a second year. The ACCESS-IT Awards are encouraging nominations of activities that promote a better quality of life for people with disabilities and the elderly, through the use of Information Technology (IT). This year, it is anticipated that even more nominations than in 2008 will be submitted. Last year's Finalists and Winners have exploited fruitfully their award with the support of the ACCESS-IT team as a great marketing and PR opportunity. However, the most important benefit is that a wide range of people with disabilities and elderly and their communities (carers, family, rehabilitation experts, SEN professionals, AT experts, etc) from all around Europe learn about the finalists and how they can use the products and services.
TOPClick here to read more
- European network of cities for local integration policies for migrants (CLIP)
CLIP (http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/areas/populationandsociety/clip.htm) is a network of 30 European cities working together to support the social and economic integration of migrants. The CLIP network composition is threefold. It operates under the aegis of a number of European organisations, it comprises a network of European cities and is supported by a group of specialist European research centres.
The full CLIP network (steering committee, research group and cities) meets twice a year. By encouraging the structured sharing of experiences through the medium of separate city reports and workshops covering four research modules, the network enables local authorities to learn from each other and to deliver a more effective integration policy.
For each of the four research modules one specific issue relevant to the integration of migrants in relation to the role of local authorities is examined.
- the first module researched by CLIP was on housing - segregation, access to, quality and affordability of housing for migrants - which has been identified as a major issue impacting on migrants' integration into 'host societies'
- the second module examined equality and diversity policies in relation to employment within city administrations and in their provision of services
- the focus of the third module is on intercultural policies and intergroup relations
- the final module (2009) TOP
- A hi-tech future for ageing Europe - Futuris report on Euronews
Europe's population is ageing rapidly: ICTs can be an excellent tool to keep the elderly active and integrate them into the community. The EU-funded projects Netcarity and Eldergames are seeking to tackle this challenge.
TOP
REPORTS AND STUDIES
- ICT & Ageing study: Good Practice Cases
This document presents 10 good practice examples addressing market barriers and 10 good practice examples addressing ethical issues. The main goal of the study is to identify and understand the market barriers which currently hinder uptake of ICT for independent living and active ageing in Europe. The document can be downloaded here:
Ageing study: Good Practice CasesTOP
- OECD Health Working Paper No. 42: Policies for healthy ageing - an overview
This paper reviews policies in the area of healthy ageing. With the ageing of OECD countries' population over coming decades, maintaining health in old age will become increasingly important. Successful policies in this area can increase the potential labour force and the supply of non-market services to others.
They can also delay the need for longer-term care for the elderly. A first section briefly defines what is meant by healthy ageing and discusses similar concepts - such as "active ageing". The paper then groups policies into four different types and within each, it describes the range of individual types of programmes that can be brought to bear to enhance improved health of the elderly. A key policy issue in this area concerns whether such programmes have a positive effect on health outcomes and whether they are cost effective.
Download: www.oecd.orgTOP
EVENTS
- 9th Conference of the European Sociological Association - session on Ageing and Technology, 2 September 2009 - 5 September 2009 Lisbon, Portugal
The Ageing in Europe Research Network will hold paper sessions that focus on empirical, theoretical and conceptual aspects of research on ageing.
More information: esa.abstractbook.netTOP
- Workshop "Towards a New Ageing Vision: The Contribution of ICT Industry and Businesses" on 6 October 2009 European Parliament, Brussels
What is needed to reinvigorate the European Ageing agenda? What are the visions of ICT industry and businesses in the coming decades? How do older people, care organisations and policymakers react to business visions? We live in a world of technology communications, products and services, a world where our work, quality of life, health, and environment are all being transformed by technology. With progressive ageing of the European and worldwide population a new strategic thinking is required in business and beyond. Tackling the needs of an older population means new ways of thinking, social innovation and taking a holistic approach to ageing: at work, at home and in the community. The aim of the workshop is to identify how ICT Industry and businesses are or will be creating a new ageing vision within their own companies, with their products and services.
More information: www.age-platform.orgTOP
- Conference: New Frontiers in Caring: 2010 and Beyond
Building on the success of the 4th International Conference in Toronto, Carers UK and the University of Leeds will organise the 5th International Carers Conference, which will take place from 8-11 July 2010 in Leeds, UK. How we manage care and caring in a changing and ageing world is one of the world's greatest challenges, touching everyone's lives. This conference again brings together the international community of researchers, practitioners and those with an interest in caring to debate the critical issues and exchange expertise and experience. Mapping the policy framework from around the world, the conference will explore innovation and seek real solutions to the care crunch. The conference will focus on four key themes, identified through latest international debate:
- Health, Social Care and Well-being Services
- Caring and Employment
- Technology, Design and the Built Environment
- Financial and Legal Planning, Products and Services
More information: www.neilstewartassociates.comTOP
How to join the SEN@ER Network
-
The SEN@ER network is open to further European regions interested in joining. New partner regions will be asked to sign the Bonn Declaration for the Silver Economy and the SEN@ER Agreement which can be downloaded here: silvereconomy-europe.org. Any further information can be obtained from the SEN@ER Secretariat. Interested regions are kindly asked to contact Werner B. Korte at the SEN@ER Secretariat for further information and details (werner.korte@empirica.com, Phone: +49 (2 28) 9 85 30-0).
Additional information
- Subscription Information
-
This is the SEN@ER network newsletter which is published in regular intervals.
An archive of all Newsletters is available at silvereconomy-europe.org.
If you are interested in further information regarding the Silver Economy Network of European Regions please visit our website at silvereconomy-europe.org or contact us.
As of today 11 European Regions are members of the SEN@ER - Silver Economy Network of European Regions. They all signed the “Bonn Declaration” and agreed on their future work programme for the coming months and years when signing the “SEN@ER Agreement”. Regions interested in joining the network are kindly asked to contact SenWiNet@empirica.com or werner.korte@empirica.com.
Responsible as SEN@ER lead partner region at the regional government of North Rhine-Westphalia:
Ministry of Health, Equalities, Care and Ageing of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Dr. Claus Eppe
Horionplatz 1, D-40213 Düsseldorf
Phone: +49 (2 11) 8 618-3320
Fax: +49 (2 11) 8 618- 53320
claus.eppe@mgffi.nrw.deEuropean SEN@ER Secretariat
http://www.silvereconomy-europe.org/
Ingo Meyer, Christiane Krupp, Werner B. Korte
empirica Gesellschaft für Kommunikations- und Technologieforschung mbH
Oxfordstr. 2, D - 53111 Bonn
Phone: +49 (2 28) 9 85 30-0
Fax: +49 (2 28) 9 85 30-12
mailto: SenWiNet@empirica.com
http://www.empirica.com
Disclaimer
You receive this newsletter because you are subscribed to our mailing list. If you do not wish to receive further newsletters from us please send a message to SenWiNetto: SenWiNet@empirica.com. We apologize for any inconveniences caused by cross-postings or unsolicited mailings.
Copyright notice
Copyright 2008 Silver Economy Network of European Regions http://www.silvereconomy-europe.org, mailto:SenWiNet@empirica.com".
