Age Discrimination in Europe: key takeaways from the policy roundtable hosted by AGE, ENNHRI, and Equinet

February 19, 2025

“Human rights are for all. Yet those of older people are inadequately protected. This must change: we need to fill the gaps in European legal frameworks that lead to age discrimination. National Human Rights Institutions, with partners at Equality Bodies and in civil society, will continue their vital work towards this and strengthening older persons’ rights.”

Debbie Kohner, ENNHRI Secretary General

The current paradigm

Increasing longevity is a fact, and we need to be able to reaping its benefits for all generations. However, we are not there yet. Ageism remains one of the most widespread and accepted forms of discrimination, often normalised, and lacks a strong EU-wide framework.

Older people face exclusion, poverty, and barriers to access services, while digitalisation and climate change add new challenges that EU policies must address.

At the global level, UN member states have recommended among other options, a new international legally binding instrument to secure equal rights in old age (Decision 14/1 of the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing). At the European level however, to this date, there is no commitment to advance equality at all ages.

“The EU is looking to boost its competitiveness, economic and I would say, political robustness. This is absolutely understandable, but at the same time we will not achieve competitiveness without supporting equality, inclusion, and social cohesion. The silver transformation is restricted by ageism and the lack of protection of older people’s human rights. All of this stands against the contributions that older people can bring to the economy. EU’s focus on economic competitiveness is important but it should not come at the expense of equality. “

Maciej Kucharczyk, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe

Online Roundtable Speaker’s Key Highlights

The Member of the European Parliament, Michael Szczerba, opened the session by expressing full support for the AGE Manifesto, stressing that the EU must lead in advancing an ageing strategy and supporting a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. He also looks forward to working with AGE Platform Europe in the upcoming European Parliament Interest Group on Ageing.

Claudia Mahler, UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons, stressed that protecting the human rights of older people benefits all generations and highlighted that older people are often invisible in policy agendas. To shift this view, it is key to launch an EU action plan against age discrimination, based on human rights and dignity.

Ana Carla Pereira, Director Equality and Non-Discrimination, DG JUST, European Commission, underlined that combating age discrimination is a core principle in the EU Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. While acknowledging progress, she stressed that this is a timely moment to discuss further steps and strengthen the EU’s commitment to protecting older persons.

Member of the European Parliament, Idoia Mendia Cueva, is also looking forward to working with AGE Platform Europe in the upcoming European Parliament Interest Group on Ageing, as she is the key initiator of this effort. It was emphasised that ageing should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a problem, and that access to quality care should be seen not as an expense but as an investment that drives economic growth and creates new opportunities. Strengthening intergenerational solidarity and ensuring the rights of older people must be central to EU policies.

Stavroula Georgiou from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare of Cyprus announced that the upcoming EU Cyprus Presidency will address the importance of combating age discrimination.

Many representatives from civil society organisations, equality bodies and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) took the floor, sharing their views on the topic and highlighting the importance of the EU taking concrete and urgent action to protect the rights of older people.

We will soon publish an outcome report that provides additional details, as well as the conclusions and next steps.

“Equality Bodies, CSOs, and National Human Rights Institutions play a pivotal role in overcoming age-based discrimination against older persons. However, this is only possible if the necessary legal, policy and economic frameworks are provided at the European and national level. The Directives on Standards for Equality Bodies are a powerful tool in combating age discrimination, ensuring that all Member States and candidate countries must now have Equality Bodies addressing age discrimination, with the required levels of independence and resources.”

Tamás Kádár, Co-Director, Equinet

What can you do to help combat age discrimination?

Here are some key resources you can explore on age discrimination, along with a few small gestures to help change the way you view ageing and older people.

European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet)’s Resources

Discussion Paper: “Fighting Discrimination on the Ground of Age“
Perspective: “Equality Bodies and Reasonable Accommodation beyond the Ground of Disability”
Webinar : “The potential of Equality Bodies getting involved in the United Nations work on Ageing”
Workshop: “How can Equality Bodies support de-institutionalisation from a multi-ground perspective?”
Webinar: “A living conditions affair: accessibility, infrastructure and habitat”
Planned for 2025: Equinet Seminar on addressing challenges and opportunities posed by AI for persons with disabilities and older persons (as presented in the 2025 Equinet Work Plan).

European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)’s Resources

ENNHRI’s work on the human rights of older persons

AGE Platform Europe’s Resources