On April 28, 2019, Alliance VITA launched an awareness campaign on a European level entitled “Vulnerable Generations”. This initiative gives the European electoral candidates the means to stay informed about the social and humanitarian challenges that all European countries are now facing. The recent data from the IFOP opinion poll has shown that German and French citizens are in favor of focusing more on “human and social” issues and less on “economic and financial” considerations.
Simultaneously challenged with population ageing throughout the continent, Europe must also deal with a demographic decline. The contributions from the younger generations, as well as the cornucopia of the older generations’ wealth of experience and resources are equally important. It is crucial to actively promote intergenerational solidarity and fellowship.
Intergenerational Solidarity: Commended by both French and German Citizens
Intergenerational solidarity and fellowship is the “take-home” message published on April 28, 2019 by the IFOP opinion poll on European demographic issues for France and Germany, carried out at the behest of Alliance VITA.
The vast majority of French and German citizens asserted that the upcoming European elections (May 26th) should concentrate on encouraging intergenerational fellowship and promoting different means to accompany and support those who are no longer autonomous. The director of the “IFOP” opinion department, Jérôme Fourquet, emphasizes: “Albeit that French and Germans’ have similar opinions on ageing, their respective views on natality are very different.” Their opinion poll reports that 52% of French people are either anxious or fearful about the future compared to only 36% in Germany.
But first and foremost, and in agreement with opinions expressing in the recent French national debate, the vast majority of French citizens (78%) think that European policies have been overly concentrated on economics and finances and not enough on humane and social issues. Despite having a very different economic and social context in their country, an overwhelming majority of Germans (71%) have voiced their agreement with the French.
10 Proposals for European Intergenerational Solidarity and Fellowship
Since Europe’s genuine fortune is embodied in its’ citizens, Alliance VITA has decided to shine the spotlight on these men and women. Thus prior to the European elections, voters can now reflect on ten different proposals formulated in favor of supporting and protecting citizens in France or in Europe who have become dependent and/or vulnerable. The information will be available on Internet, as well as by informational leaflets which will be distributed in 40 different cities by over 1,100 Alliance VITA volunteers.
For Alliance VITA this also represents an occasion to solicit the French on their opinion of intergenerational solidarity and fellowship. Gift cards will also be available which can be personalized to offer to an acquaintance from another generation as a gesture of solidarity.
