VATICAN CITY, SEP 20, 2002 (VIS) - "The elderly, active protagonists in society," was the title of the speech delivered by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on September 12 in Berlin, Germany during the European Ministerial Conference on Ageing which is being sponsored by the United Nations Economic Conference for Europe.
The archbishop, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations Office and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, began his speech by emphasizing that "too often today, longevity and ageing are classified as problems," when in reality they are "a gift of God, to be enjoyed and utilized fruitfully."
Afterward, he recalled that institutions in society must guarantee that an adequate framework exists for people so that when they get old they can continue to be active protagonists. "We have not yet taken fully into consideration the broad significance of the demographic changes which will arise from increased longevity in Europe."
"Changes in family patterns in many European countries have led to a greater isolation of older people," the archbishop explained. He added that current individualist philosophy which has resulted in the drop in birth rates and has caused families "to take less into account the responsibility of families towards the future of society ... can reduce the capacity of the family to carry out its role in inter-generational society."
"It is difficult to establish the correct balance between a stress on the individual's right to personal fulfillment and the obligation of solidarity," he continued. He went on to advocate social policy "structured in such a way that inter-generational solidarity ... is not rendered impossible because [it is] too costly."
"The fact of widespread and growing longevity will demand not just structural changes in our societies but also in the choices of persons," said Archbishop Martin. He emphasized that in order to ensure that "older people are facilitated in remaining autonomous and active for the longest possible periods, greater stress should be placed on educational structures ... which provide intellectual stimulus and address also the particular spiritual needs of older people."
"The program of action proposed by this Conference," he concluded, "stresses the need to foster a more positive image of older people. We must recognize our societies as multi-generational societies, to which older people belong not just on the margins. Social recognition should not be linked solely to economic productivity. The inalienable dignity of each older person does not depend on his or her apparent utility."
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