In 15 years, one in three will be over 65 in Europe. 2012 is the European Year for Active Aging. The EP Information Office in the Netherlands has kicked off the debate at the University of Eindhoven. My name is Lenie Riddering. I'm 56 and I've been unemployed for five months. I had a catering job. I worked in the canteen of a company. I am looking for a job, but it's not easy. Like Lenie, more than half of over-55s are unemployed in the Netherlands. They find that age is sometimes grounds for discrimination. They claim it's not true, but the longer you look for a job, the clearer it becomes that age is a very important factor. Senior citizens on the job market was a topic tackled during the debate organised by the EP Information Office. Among the guests is Peter Lammerschop who works for the Dutch bank ABN AMRO. He trains and advises employees who have lost or who will lose their jobs at the bank. People of 55 and over don't earn much more than people of 45 and over. They do make more than young people, because that's the way salaries work. Young people are ill more often, whereas older people tend to be ill for longer periods. But the difference is not as big as you would think. And yet, here in the Netherlands like in most EU countries, the social security system could be in danger, especially if over-50s do not get back onto the job market. Now to Utrecht to meet Régine Matthijsen. At 68, she is a symbol of active aging. Before taking retirement eight years ago, she worked for a large Dutch multinational. Active ageing to us means 'remain active after your retirement, or from a certain age on, to participate on the labour market as long as you can but also to participate in our society according to your expertise, to your intellect, to your interests and remain active.' There's a beautiful Dutch saying: 'Don't sit behind the geraniums and get old.' Régine believes work is good for you. She is a part-time volunteer for an NGO that defends the right of senior citizens to a pension. My children ask, 'When are you going to stop and have some time for us?' since I've worked all my life. It's a good question, I don't know, we'll see. As long as my grey cells allow me to participate and be active, cooperative and creative. Régine Matthijsen has also followed the debate on active aging in Eindhoven, led by experts and by the Dutch MEPs Toine Manders and Lambert van Nistelrooij. The EU can do a lot to put things on the agenda as this is not a Dutch problem. There are specific European programmes: regional, cooperation programmes, there are research programmes that look at how the services can be more specific for these kinds of questions in the regions, city projects, social and innovation projects... The debate on active aging will continue throughout 2012. You can find more information on the Year of Active Aging in 2012 on the Parliament's website. The EP's Information Office in the Hague suggests the following event: You can also contact the Parliament's Information Office in your country.
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