Demographic Development in Europe and the Answers of Politics and Economics 

The Centre for European Studies organised jointly with the Political Academy, the European Seniors Citizens Union and the European People’s Party a two day Regional Conference of the South-Eastern Europe on the topic of “The demographic development in Europe and the answers of politics and economics”. The conference was held in the premises of the Political Academy (Politische Akademie), in Vienna, on 29th and 30th May 2008. Representatives of senior citizen organisations (from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) as well as scientists and political and economic experts participated in the discussions. The Centre for European Studies was represented by its Director, Tomi Huhtanen.

In the afternoon of May 29th, Dr. Bernhard WORMS, President of European Seniors Citizens Union, opened the conference. Thereafter, Dr. Werner FASSLABEND, President of the Political Academy, Christine MAREK, Austrian State Secretary to the Ministry of Economic and Labour Affairs, and Dr. Dietmar HALPER, Director of Political Academy, addressed the audience with their opening speeches.

Dipl.Ing. Hannes MISSETHON, Secretary General of the Austrian People’s Party, spoke on plans and projections for the forthcoming European elections in 2009. After an presentation by Ingeborg UHLENBROCK, Secretary General of European Seniors Citizens Union, the issue of "Enjoying your Third Life" was discussed with contributions by Dr. Krista SCHÜSSEL, Psychologist, Dr. Wolfgang TRITREMMEL, Head of Department Social and Labour Affairs, Association of Austrian Industrialists and Leif HALLBERG, Deputy President of European Seniors Citizens Union. Statements by regional and national representatives completed and concluded the discussion. The conference was re-convened in the morning of 30th May 2008. Dr. Marilies FLEMMING, former Austrian Minister and Deputy President of European Seniors Citizens Union, opened the meeting. An introductory speech by Tomi HUHTANEN, Director of the Centre for European Studies, inaugurated the discussion. Consequently, Heinz K. BECKER, Secretary General of Austrian Seniors Citizens Union briefed on European Policies – Consequences for Austrian Seniors Citizens Union. Subsequent interventions by scientists and experts shed light on this topic. Further statements by diplomats and economic representatives from Austria, Bavaria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia deepened the analysis of the topic under consideration.

In the final section of the conference, the President of the European Seniors Citizens Union , Bernhard WORMS, gave a wrap-up speech. Subsequently, Dr. Andreas KHOL, Chairman of Austrian Seniors Citizens Union, concluded the two day conference.