an academic session attended and followed by a reception .The academic session and the reception took place in the Brussels City Hall.
On October 1st—the International Day of Older Persons—ESO celebrated its 25th anniversary in the Council Chamber of Brussels’ historic City Hall. The City of Brussels is a member of the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, an example of how international and European instruments can complement local policy.
Anaïs Maes, Deputy Mayor of the City of Brussels (Vooruit), welcomed the attendees, also on behalf of Mayor Philippe Close.
Hilde Hawlicek (SPÖ) former Member of the European Parliament, former Austrian Minister of Education and Culture, and co-founder of ESO—recounted the early days of the organization.
Maciej Kucharczyk, Secretary General of AGE Platform Europe, emphasized the importance of a strong civil society in the development of policy, both at the national and European levels.
Idoia Mendia (PSOE), Member of the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s Intergenerational Forum, along with Pascal Smet (Vooruit), a member of the Brussels Parliament and the Committe of the regions, extended greetings on behalf of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, the PES Group in the Committee of the Regions, and the PES (Party of European Socialists).
All speakers underscored the importance of strengthening the representation, visibility, and political voice of older citizens across local, national, and European levels. They highlighted how greater intergenerational dialogue and inclusive policymaking can contribute to more responsive democratic institutions, ensuring that the experiences and perspectives of older people are fully reflected in political decision-making.
Following the formal session, a reception was held for all attendees in the magnificent Maximilian Hall of the City Hall.