Older people lobbying for more acceptance, power

About 420 retirees and elderly people representing numerous groups for the aged met Thursday for a special session in the Swiss parliament to demand political recognition and social acceptance.

About 420 retirees and elderly people representing numerous groups for the aged met Thursday for a special session in the Swiss parliament to demand political recognition and social acceptance.

During this third session for the aged, delegates discussed how to improve cooperation between the younger and the older generations, reforms to social security and welfare payments, old age pensions and further education.

Among the concrete political demands raised were the formation of a government commission to address the needs and demands of senior citizens.

Delegates argued that it was high time that such a political body be set up since there are already equivalent commmissions lobbying for the rights of the young and women.

“Old people are not a fringe group of Swiss society,” said Agostini Tarabusi, president of an umbrella organisation for senior citizens groups. “Old age must be seen as something valued and precious and should not be associated with failing abilities and deficiencies.”

Delegates were demanding that society accept, and fully integrate, the aged.

They pointed the finger at discriminatory age limitations for certain health insurance coverage, membership of party committees and executive boards.

Constitutional amendments coming into force in January 2000 will make age discrimination illegal.

From staff and wire reports.