To support the debate initiated by the Green Paper, DG Employment and Social Affairs of the European Commission organised a two days conference entitled "Confronting demographic change: a new solidarity between the generations" which brought together ministers, members of parliament, social partners, NGOs and independent experts. The conference took place on the 11 and 12 July 2005 in Brussels.
The debate focused on the social policy responses that are needed in areas such as family policy, work life balance, active ageing, migration and integration, role for the EU to allow our societies to cope with demographic change in a successful way.
The conference was hosted by Commissioner Mr Spidla, and consisted of a plenary session, 4 different workshops and a political round table.
The plenary session featured high level speakers and little time for interaction. Speakers included Ministers of Social Affairs, MEPs and government representatives.
The workshops included a panel with stakeholders and/or experts and the possibility to make questions to the panel.
The roundtable, which aimed to debate ageing, intergenerational solidarity and social policies, included 7 extensive presentations and speeches by representatives of national governments, the European Parliament, the industry, the trade unions and civil society. Panelists were allowed 15 minutes to receive some questions from the audience and to respond.
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, closed the conference by saying that "the challenge for society today is both to support the "bad habit" of ageing, and find ways of keeping us busy and healthy."
This significative reference to health was even more remarkable if we consider that not one single presentation during the two days conference had mentioned the health of the people living in Europe as being closely linked to the demographic change.
Has birth rate become a matter of public concern?
This workshop tried to address issues such as fertility rates being lower than the replacement levels, labour market conditions and people’s reproductive behaviour and if the issue of low fertility can be effectively addressed by public policies. The workshop was also supposed to identify the social policies concerned.
To EPHA’s surprise, there was not a single reference to the health-related causes of infertility or to the relevance of health policies.
Infertility today is due to the wide range of chemical exposures present in the home, job, diet and environment.
Environment factors: pollutants such as chemicals and endocrine disruptors used in plastics, cosmetics and pesticides. Air and water pollution also affect human fertility. Miscarriages are also influenced by environmental factors.
Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol and drugs, nutrition and mental health, all affect the onset and maintenance of reproductive function.
Sexual health: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS, are increasing, especially among young people in Europe.
EPHA will send to the European Commission a response to the Green Paper including comments to the conference.
