Mr. President,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 

It is an honour for me to speak before this World Assembly and by doing so to have the opportunity to share our concerns and views. At the same time, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all of those who have taken the part in the preparation of this conference, and especially to thank our host, the government and the people of Spain, for their warm hospitality.

Changes in the demographic structure of the population that have taken place in the world during these last decades, have resulted in a substantial increase in the share of the elderly living in the society of today. And even though these current tendencies are mostly present in the countries of Europe, North America, and Japan, other parts of the world will be faced with the same issues in the nearest future.

The ageing of the population is a global problem which will grow in the coming years and therefore deserves our full attention. In view of this, it is important to tackle this issue on the global level as well as on the national one. Within this framework, it is necessary to stress the importance of crafting such strategies as will enable the implementation of global recommendations also in countries that do not have adequate material or financial resources. Furthermore, international co-operation and, above all, solidarity will be of the crucial importance for achieving these common endeavours.
 

Mr President,

Slovenia is a country with a population of two millions, but the problems that have occurred in the rest of the world with regards to the ageing of population, are similar to those in other European countries. In the beginning of the '90s, we were faced with the changed demographic situation that demanded appropriate responses and the adoption of national strategies that could provide long-term solutions and adequate measures for their implementation. While undertaking the process of preparing these strategies, a great number of international documents on this issue, especially the International Action Plan approved during the First World Assembly in 1982, were taken into account.

In Slovenia, 14% of the total Slovenian population is already aged over 65. According to the latest projections, this percentage will increase to 20% by the year 2020. In this respect, it is very important for the Slovenian government consistently to pursue two main goals that are strongly emphasised in our national policies: firstly, to maintain a high level of social protection for the elderly; and secondly, to adjust the social security system in line with the demographic changes.

One of the most important reforms that have taken place in Slovenia is the pension system reform. The reform was necessary mainly due to:

• the low pension age required for attaining a full pension, which consequently increased numbers of pensioners;
• the rapid change in the ratio between the active population and pensioners.

Other reforms that have been accompanying the pension reform are reforms of health care, housing and social care. The aims of the reforms are among others:

• to prevent the social exclusion of the elderly;
• for people to remain active at work as long as possible;
• to reduce long-term disability;
• to respond to changing family structures.

With regards to the implementation of these reforms, it is also important for the state to secure high quality services for the elderly. In that respect, four years ago, the Slovenian Government adopted the National Development Programme for Care of Elderly Persons. One of the aims of the national programme has been the de-institutionalisation of services. In planning overall care for the elderly, the programme also stresses the fact that it is necessary to enable the elderly with quality, affordable services. One the other hand it is crucial to enable the development of programmes and activities that are targeted at the prevention of loneliness and social exclusion of the elderly.

In addition to the improving services and programmes for the elderly provided by the state and local communities, other various programmes and activities that are taking place in the framework of the activities of civil society, non-governmental organisations and voluntary associations, are also significant. Slovenia has a long tradition of non-governmental organisations. One of their main characteristics is that older persons are represented in these organisations in large numbers. The basic mission of these organisations, which unite the elderly, is to prevent their social exclusion and to reduce the stereotyped image of the elderly being merely users of various services. It is worth mentioning that the elderly in Slovenia are also organised in a political party and as such have a significant influence in the creation of legislation that concerns them.

Slovenia is among the group of countries in which changed demographic ratios crucially affect a number of aspects of social life. Awareness of this has been strongly reinforced in recent years, although suitable activities have not yet embraced all elements of social life. I would like to point out that the older generation is quite heterogeneous; and that the generation of today is different from that of yesterday, and the generation of tomorrow. That each and everyone has different aspirations, different expectations, different wishes - and governmental policies should respond to this.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

In this context, the fundamental goal is the creation of "a society for all ages". Sustainable economic development in which the elderly will also have an important active role is thus of crucial importance. I would like to stress that the older generation should not be considered a burden on society but an active part of it which, with its experience and wisdom, as well as its informal work, makes an important contribution to the society on all levels.
 

Thank you for your attention.