Active Ageing in CIS Countires: Semantics, Challenges, and Responses Seminar

This is a joint CPC and Centre for Research on Ageing seminar

The twelve countries of the former Soviet Union constitute a unique geo-political group. These countries are different in many aspects: demographic, economic, and cultural, among others. Yet they share with each other a common political and social past. Consequently, they are facing similar, but not necessarily identical, challenges of transition, including the demographic transition.

In many CIS countries, the notion of "active ageing" has a negative connotation: it is associated with the term "accelerated ageing". The latter term is understood to be an individual living a life under harsh living conditions, which, in turn, leads to a premature ageing at both individual and societal level.

While semantics is distinctive, the policy measures on ageing in the CIS countries are compatible with the major international policy frameworks. In spite of political uncertainties, lack of societal consensus and financial instability, the CIS countries in the same spirit as the European Year 2012 of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, have initiated sectoral programmes towards enhancing employment of older workers, promoting participation of older people in the society and supporting their health and independent living.