This might be of interest to someone?

Cheers,

Aidan.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Lois Gladdish" <[log in to unmask]>
To: "OAB-Email-Group" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 3:07 PM
Subject: [OAB-Email-Group] FW: Building Cohesion in an Ageing Europe



Building Cohesion in an Ageing Europe


In the context of the 2007-13 structural funds programmes, this is an
important opportunity to discuss the implications and challenges for the
implementation of Cohesion and Regional policy which arise from the ageing
of our population.

14.00 on 23rd November until 16.30 on 24th November 2005
Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard 101, B - 1040, Brussels

The increasing longevity of the population combined with the decrease in
birth rate is creating a significant demographic shift in Europe. Member
states, Regional Authorities and Local Administrations are witnessing
significant population ageing and need to respond to the economic and social
opportunities and challenges which arise. Different approaches to this
phenomenon are being developed across member states at regional and local
level addressing different issues and experiencing differing degrees of
success and long term viability.

This conference will highlight the importance of the issue of ageing to
regional and cohesion policy in the context of the future proposals for the
structural funds. It will feature the launch of a report being prepared for
partners to the Regions for All Ages programme by Professor John Bachtler
and Dr Martin Ferry of the European Policies Resources Centre at the
University of Strathclyde. The report will examine a range of existing
regional and sub-national strategies aimed at addressing ageing pro-actively
and identifying learning which could be applied more broadly to achieve
economic and social development.

With the preparations underway for the structural funds programmes 2007 –
2013 this is a good time to focus on this issue and promote debate about the
implementation of cohesive approaches to demographic ageing at regional and
local levels.

The conference will be opened by Gerhard Stahl, Secretary General, Committee
of the Regions. Speakers will include:
Graham Meadows, Director General, DG Regional Policy, European Commission
Anne-Sophie Parent, Director, AGE: European Older People's Platform
Konstantinos Hatzidakis MEP, Greece, Parliamentary Rapporteur on Cohesion
Policy (invited)
Professor John Bachtler, University of Strathclyde, Scotland
Jiri Patocka, Ministry for Regional Development, Czech Republic
Matti Heikkilä, Stakes, Finland
Lambert Van Nistelrooij MEP, Netherlands, Member of the Parliamentary
Regional Development Commitee and Co-President of the Inter-group on Ageing

In addition to Plenary Sessions, delegates will be invited to attend a range
of Discussion Seminars that will to explore in detail current strategies
from around Europe to address ageing. These sessions will use case study
regions and localities to explore practical approaches to ageing being
pursued at regional and sub-national level or through regional policy. This
will provide a valuable opportunity to delegates to discuss and debate ideas
with colleagues from across the EU.

Attendance to this exclusive conference is by invitation only. While the
conference is free of charge, it is essential that you register in advance
so that we can monitor attendance. Places are limited so register your
interest as soon as possible. Please be advised we will ask for credit card
details to cover an administration fee in the event of a cancellation. If
you don’t pre-register it will not possible to attend. Please note that
while the conference is free of charge, delegates must meet their own travel
and accommodation costs.

The Conference languages will be English, French and German.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Events
Department at Age Concern England on 020 8765 7602 or email:
[log in to unmask]

Kind Regards,
Richard Baker,
Co-ordinator,
Regions for All Ages programme

In co-operation with The Committee of the Regions, AGE- the European Older
People's Platform
Sponsored by Age Concern England and The English Regions Network