"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.

Within the growing group of elders, migrant elders have already become an important new target group. Regarding migrant and minority ethnic elders, this is an important issue which has not really been dealt with and acknowledged in many European countries. Migrant elders have a great deal of potential and competence especially regarding their contribution to society, notably as volunteers, but also as workers and regarding cultural and economic potential.

The AAMEE project focuses on:

• Acknowledging the fact that migrant elders have achieved a great life performance due to their mobility and integration.
• Opportunities provided by broadening the discussion about quality of life to the extent that the target group comprises not just indigenous but also migrant elders.
• The promotion of active and productive ageing and social, cultural and economic integration of migrant elders, emphasising volunteer activities and the emergence of new culturally sensitive products and services in the fields of, the instance, housing, care, education, leisure, culture and marketing.

The project is running with the financial assistance of the EU Commission in the frame of VP/2007/009 ENEA.