A stakeholders’ conference was organised by the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC), entitled, ‘Working beyond Retirement.’ The Conference was one of a series of activities for the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 within a joint inter institutional arrangement between the Government of Malta,, the European Commission and the European Parliament.

The conference was aimed at raising awareness on the contribution of older people to society and to the economy by working beyond the retirement age. A key note speech was delivered by Mr Robert Anderson from the European Foundation for Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) whilst the other local key speakers elaborated further on the theme of the conference itself.

Throughout the conference, the participants also took part in four different focus groups aimed at discussing themes in relation to the role of both the retired and the employed towards an ageing society.

In his opening speech, MEUSAC Head, Dr Vanni Xuereb, said that the European Year 2012 is aimed at encouraging and supporting the efforts of Member States, their regional and local authorities, social partners, civil society and the business community, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to promote active ageing and to increase the mobilisation with regards to the potential of the rapidly growing population in their late 50s and over.

Dr Peter Agius, Head of the European Parliament Information Office in Malta, said that the European Parliament is working on changing the mentality, which he stated cannot come to reality unless it is based on responsibility and solidarity between generations.

Mr Martin Bugelli, Head of the European Commission Representation in Malta, said that the aim of the European Year is not just to promote a particular policy but to put forward such a matter for in depth discussion as was the case in today’s conference.

When delivering his key note speech ‘European perspectives on Active Ageing: trends and developments in the workplace,’ Mr Robert Anderson from the Eurofound explained that there is huge potential when it comes to employment for ageing populations. He added that in all the Member States, employment rates of older workers have increased between 2001 and 2011, except for Romania and Portugal.

Among the good practices that he mentioned were job recruitment, training and lifelong learning, career development, flexible working practices, health protection and promotion, redeployment, employment exit and also transition to retirement.

Mr Anderson concluded by saying that a comprehensive policy for an ageing population is necessary. Such a policy should cover the diversity of an older age population, acknowledges the value of care, volunteering and work, and last but not least the challenges that Member States are facing for both pensions and retirement practices in the context of the financial crisis.

In his address, Dr John Cachia – Commissioner for Mental Health and Older Persons, quoted statistics that show the seriousness of the issue of demography; by 2060 there will be 38% of Maltese population beyond 60 years of age, most of them living in their own home in the community.

Despite the numerous services offered in the community, Dr Cachia listed a series of challenges that include risks of falls, polypharmacy, undernourishment, chronic diseases, and age-unfriendly environments. He stated that Malta’s vision about active ageing consists of inclusion and active contribution in all areas of community life, flexible responses to the needs and preferences of the elderly, and a friendlier physical and social environment.

The conference came to an end with a speech by Mr Mario Galea, Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care. The conclusions drawn from the conference will be compiled into a manifesto and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks.

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