Sep 30, 2026

On 1 October, FERPA (the European Federation of Retired and Older People) and its 42 affiliated trade union organisations are speaking out with one voice, calling for and demanding a genuine change of course. Ageing must no longer be synonymous with insecurity or isolation, but must become an ambitious social project. It is time to turn our backs on ageism, that scourge which perpetuates stereotypes and discrimination, and which all too often relegates older people to the sidelines. Essential pillars for all generations Older people are citizens in their own right. They are the living memory of our society and an indispensable bridge between generations: they support their parents, stand by their children, guide their grandchildren, are active in community organisations and trade unions, and prove to be key economic players. Yet, in the face of crises, older people bear the brunt of inequality. It is up to all of us, young and old alike, to fight together to demand concrete measures: • The right to decent pensions: To eradicate poverty amongst older people once and for all and enable them to live, not merely to survive. • The right to healthcare: High-quality, long-term care, accessible to all, both financially and geographically. • The right to a dignified ‘home’: Healthy and suitable housing, as well as strong and affordable local public services. • The right to social inclusion: To break the cycle of isolation that destroys lives. Unrelenting commitment Intergenerational solidarity is not just an empty phrase: the challenges facing our older people today are the same as those faced by the young people of yesterday and tomorrow. On 1 October and 365 days a year, FERPA and its members are stepping up the fight to ensure these demands are heard by all policy-makers. So that everyone can live with dignity at every stage of life! Ageing with dignity is not a privilege, it is a fundamental right!