The Young European Socialist (YES), the European Seniors Organisation (ESO), the Party of European Socialists (PES) and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) co-convened a live event bringing together progressive leaders, academics and activists to discuss intergenerational solidarity in the context of health and long-term care.
The livestream can be watched again here.
PES Vice President and S&D Group Vice President Heléne Fritzon said:
“Today, as progressives, we celebrate intergenerational solidarity and its vital role in guaranteeing social protection in society. We want to help raise standards all over Europe, for the benefit of young and old alike. Quality public services for all, including healthcare, is at the core of our mission.
“The powerful stories at today’s event remind us all how difficult this past year has been for the millions of workers on the frontline, in health and care roles, but also more generally those public servants who have worked especially hard to keep our societies functioning. These are mainly female professions, clearly showing the gender-dimension of the crisis which must be reflected in the recovery.
“As a social democratic political family, well-funded public services that are accessible to all have always stood at the heart of our programme. I hope the pandemic has given others the opportunity to rethink their attitudes towards publicly funded healthcare, social care, education and housing, which together form the basis for the European social model.
“All of us – the young, the old, and everyone in between – rely on this model. This simple truth is at the basis of intergenerational solidarity and our socialist and democratic vision for better societies for all.”
The livestream set out how different generations can support each other to address the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and how progressive politics can lead the policy action in response to these challenges.
PES Vice President and S&D Group Vice President Heléne Fritzon was joined at the event by European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke, academic Lynne Segal, Young European Socialists President and MEP Alicia Homs, European Seniors Organisation President Jos Bertrand and Foundation for European Progressive Studies President Maria João Rodrigues.
