Dear friends, dear comrades,
I am speaking here on behalf of our and your older comrades. You know us very well as long standing militants, engaged in our social democratic movements and parties. You have to know that we are more than the past, we – older persons – are also actors for the future.
We live in turbulent times, with war and uncertainty, where new world leaders, populists and anti-democrats, are taking over the leadership from the international community, garant for respect for democracy and fundamental rights, for their own profit and interests. Yet, we remain confident in our social democratic movement. Together, we can turn the tide.
This means returning to our roots: empowering/educating people—young and old—to become resilient, engaged citizens who stand up for solidarity, equality, democracy, and human rights. Alongside civil society, of which we are part, from the climate youth to the grandparents for the climate, trade unions, older-persons and youth organizations, social NGOs, trade unions, we must reconnect and rebuild our society.
We have to listen to people’s needs: a decent income, affordable housing in age friendly environments, lifelong learning, guaranteed accessible care and healthcare, a good job, a healthy climate, and governments at every level that protect citizens from inequality and insecurity; and provide answers to the challenges such as aging, growing inequalities, climate change.
As seniors, we stand for solidarity between generations. We want a society where even vulnerable people are recognized as full citizens, where care is granted, and where people—not machines—are there to help when needed. We fight against ageism and demand European policies against ageism and promoting age equality.
Together with our parties, we are committed to making this happen. You can count on us, as you have done it in the past, now and in the future. But we have one demand: as actors for the future, older persons will be recognised as full citizens. This concerns also our own social democratic movement and partis. Many parties don’t longer organise their older members, contrary to the youngsters and other specific groups. Please, give older militant their organisation, their network in the party, so that we can – as organised citizens- full participate in the future.
PES Congress – Amsterdam, 17 October 2025
Jos Bertrand
President ESO (European Senior Organisation)