Towards a Regional Active Ageing Strategy

Best Practices related to Demographic Change in North

Karelia

Hannu Hoskonen

Vice Chairman of the Assembly

Regional Council of North Karelia, Finland

Brussels, 5 Oct 2011

Facts about North Karelia The easternmost region of the

continental European Union (Virmajärvi, Ilomantsi 31°35’20”E)

Area: 21 585 km² Forest 70%Water 3.803 km2

Approximately 2200 lakes

Population: 166 000Density: 7.7/km2

Distances:North - South 240 km East - West 153 km

Temperature: annual average +2C variety +37C to -35C

Old-Age Dependency Ratio 1980–2030

Short description: This indicator is the ratio between the total number of elderly persons of an age when they are generally economically inactive (aged 65 and over) and the number of persons of working age (from 15 to 64).

Age and Gender Structure in 2030Finland vs North Karelia

Age and Gender Structure in 2030Two North Karelian Municipalities

Changing Needs and Preferences

In the near future the elderly will, for example

-> take a more active role as developers and users of products or services as well as members of society

-> have more purchasing power… also for private and high-quality services

-> be used to utilizing ICT and electronic services

-> use new models of service delivery

-> prefer new housing models

-> participate more actively in life-long learning

-> travel and search for new experiences

-> volunteer and get involved in different kinds of NGOs

Comprehensive Approach in Regional and Local Strategies – Ageing as a Resource

Regional Plan 2030Regional Development Plan

2014

North Karelia Welfare Programme

North Karelia Action Plan on Knowledge of Ageing

Ageing Strategies of Municipalities

North Karelia is at the Forefront when…

facing the future challenges of European regions in the years ahead

crossing boundaries (combining the efforts of the state, region and municipalities, the networking of sectoral authorities, cooperation between public, private and NGOs, etc.)

setting strategic visions and approaches to problem solving cooperating within European networks, like DCRN and DART introducing transferable solutions as a pilot region

”North Karelia has good chances to become a region with high-level expertise on knowledge about ageing.” President Tarja Halonen, Joensuu, 14 Sep. 2011

Regional Action Plan in North Karelia Knowledge of Ageing

Knowledge of Ageing refers to broad-scoped recognition and understanding of the changes and effects that an ageing population has on individuals, communities and society. It also refers to an understanding of and an ability to utilise the possibilities and resources that an ageing population brings about in multidisciplinary product, service and education development work in the public, private and third sectors, as well as in the field of education.

Development needs and ideas, involved and commited organisations in the region and a time schedule lasting from 2011 to 2014

Municipalities Well-being entreprises The aged Liberal adult education Cooperation in education as well as cooperation between education and working

life International cooperation and networking

PERSPECTIVES ON AGEING…High-level conference on health and long-term care

Time: 19-21 March, 2012 Location: Joensuu, North Karelia, Finland Conference language: English

How can we ensure that health and long-term care develop in a sustainable way and in harmony at the European, national and regional level?

The conference includes meetings of experts, expert lectures, sharing good practices, panel discussions, workshops, visits...