Active Aging in Economy and Society E-Book

• Herausgeber: Bertelsmann Stiftung
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 182

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2010

Beschreibung

Germany currently finds itself amidst profound demographic change. The tasks of the future workplace will fall on the shoulders of a smaller and older potential workforce. The 2006 Carl Bertelsmann Prize for Active Aging in Economy and Society is founded on the belief that combining growth and innovation with a high employment rate while preserving social cohesion can only succeed if we foster and utilize the employment potential of every individual. In view of demographic changes, we need to preserve the value-generating potential, skills and experience of older people in particular for our economy and society, and promote their (re)integration into the workplace. In light of high unemployment levels among seniors-and not just in Germany-keeping older people in the workforce longer will demand integrated efforts in various social sectors and on various social levels. This publication presents and discusses challenges, perspectives and strategies that could be very significant as elements of a comprehensive strategy for active aging in Germany.

Leseprobe

Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek

The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data is available on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.

© 2010 E-Book-Ausgabe (EPUB)

© 2006 Verlag Bertelsmann Stiftung, GüterslohResponsible: Dr. Jens U. Prager, Dr. Ulrich SchoofTranslation: German Language Services, SeattleCopy editor: Heike HerrbergProduction editor: Christiane RaffelCover design: Nadine HumannCover illustration: Markus Vogel, HamburgTypesetting and Print: Hans Kock Buch- und Offsetdruck GmbH, Bielefeld

ISBN : 978-3-86793-241-7

www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/verlag

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Titel

Impressum

Aging Workforce and Employment Policies in the OECD Region-The Challenge Ahead

Introduction

1. The challenge ahead

2. Removing barriers to older people’s employment should be the key policy response

3. A new reform agenda is required to promote age-friendly employment policies ...

4. From challenges to opportunities

References

Active Aging in Economy and Society- A Policy Framework

Active aging: Terms and concepts

Political and governmental requirements

Summary and prospects

References

Learning by Example- Best-practice Strategies and Initiatives from 10 Countries

International research: In search of answers, approaches and models

Australia: Whole-of-government approach

Canada: The beginnings of awareness for demographic challenges

Denmark: Flexicurity approach for labor market policy

Finland: All in one boat

Great Britain: New deal for age diversity

The Netherlands: Let 1,000 flowers bloom

New Zealand: Vision for positive aging

Sweden: Leader in creating an effective legal framework

Switzerland: An exemplary policy mix

United States: Active nonprofit sector

Lessons for Germany

The EU’s Response to the Challenge of an Aging Workforce

How can the EU help older people contribute to Europe’s long-term social development?

Is an aging workforce a threat or an opportunity for the values of the European ...

Why is a shift in Germany important for the EU as a whole?

Using the Power of Experience- Political Initiative and Changing Course in Germany

Demographic changes

Opportunities for an aging society

Tangible support for job opportunities for seniors

Promoting qualification and continuing education

Living in later years

Investing in the future today

The Carl Bertelsmann Prize

The Authors

Aging Workforce and Employment Policies in the OECD Region-The Challenge Ahead1

Mark Keese

Introduction

Germany is not alone in facing the challenge of a greying workforce. Rapid population aging is a big, but largely predictable, demographic shock that is hitting all OECD countries. In many ways, this should be seen as good news since it reflects a significant and ongoing increase in longevity. We are not only living longer but also in better health. However, fertility rates have also fallen considerably and consequently all OECD countries will experience a steep increase in the share of elderly persons in the population and a large decline in the share of the population of prime working-age. Thus, if nothing is done, population aging could also result in much slower economic growth than in the past and in unsustainable increases in public social expenditures both in Germany and other OECD countries. But these outcomes are not inevitable, and OECD economies can and will adapt to demographic change. In particular, by removing the obstacles and disincentives to working at an older age, the challenge of population aging can be turned into an opportunity for longer, more prosperous lives.