Public Service or Active CitizenshipChallenges and Opportunities

Anne O’Reilly

Context

Demography • ‘Situation without parallel in human history’

– Globally 1 Billion over 65 by 2030– 1 in 8 of earths inhabitants – People over 65 now outnumber children under

5 – Ageing on global par with environment –

“alongside climate change population ageing is the greatest global transition we will face this century” Age UK

Context

Demography Cont….• UK/ NI

– (GB) 14 Million 60+ – (NI) 300K (17% - 24% by 2030)– 100 Billion spending power each year – ¾ people 65+ vote – One in eight turning 50 this year will live to be 100 – 300,000 centenarians by 2060 (30% increase– Increase in happiness - U

‘Inspire a Different Political & Policy Discourse’

• A later life without limits – citizens, consumers, contributors, carers, cared for.

• Demographic bounty not burden (Asset) • Citizenship not welfare (Barriers to

opportunity/ protection) • Benevolent prejudice (The elderly ‘Journey’) • Duality of Ageing (diversity/ disadvantage) • Tipping point thinking (cost of waiting vs.

window of opportunity)

More Involvement Means Changing the Message

• Low level 17% 65+ take part in formal volunteering (54% on a regular and sustained basis)

• 27% 65+ take part in informal volunteering

• ‘Asset and capability’ thinking – working, caring, contributing (grandparent research)

• Personal gain – international research on health benefits – i.e. reduced blood pressure, decreased mortality, improvement in self related mental and physical health (micro/ macro economic benefit)

More Involvement Means Changing the Message

• Improvements in life satisfaction and increased social support and interaction; increased self esteem

• Enhanced community links and connectedness

“Volunteering is perceived as a ‘choice activity with less of the stress or burdens associated with employment or care giving.”

• Call time on ‘self stereotyping’

• Improve ‘the offer’ – social entrepreneurship; strong cause related campaigns; digital/online engagement.

“Older adults are increasingly looking to use their professional skills in volunteer settings and typically want to continue developing their knowledge and expertise” (2008)

More Involvement Means Changing the Message

• Understand to ‘attract’ the baby boomer (50-60) attitudes, expectations, motivation, interests

• Benefits realisation investment in capacity building, and Age Sector infrastructure reaching 25% of population 60+

• Invest economic and social value to local Age Sector movement (particularly in rural areas), in terms of social contact/ friendship and support

Risks and Challenges

• Balance to be struck between public service/active citizenship (Malnutrition story)

• Currency of Public Trust – NG0 Bold use of power assets and influence, cues for change

• Making good society – (Carnegie UK Trust) “Look to how civil society activity can shape our world, then we can

make the transition from an age of ‘me’ to an age of ‘we’.”

• £210 Billion asset base (UK) of civil society organisations

• £28 Billion Income UK Co-operative Society

• Grow a more ‘civil society economy’ – (quotation)

Reshape financial systems to align with values of responsibility, good governance, human wellbeing and environmental sustainability (mobilize citizen investors)

Risks and Challenges Cont….

• Strengthen participative/ deliberative democracy

• Harness the potential of the internet as tools for mobilisation leadership education and direct action

• Strengthen financial investment and support for social enterprise/ social entrepreneurships (loans, leadership, capacity building)

Summary

• Older people are working, contributing and caring in communities – value it

• People in later life have as much diversity as any other group • Potential for new cohorts is strong dependent on ‘offer’ made as

full actors/ activists in broader civil society • Recognise low cost/ high benefit ratio to maximise the

involvement of people in later life, individual, society, government.

• Watch the tendency to assume/stigmatise/ghettoise this age group

• Investment in longer term thinking and planning is critical - an ageing society represents one of the greatest opportunities and challenges we will face this century

• Adopt a more robust, modern and progressive strategy for strengthening formal and informal volunteering

Quotation

Making Good Society (UK Carnegie Trust)

“Civil society activity meets fundamental human wants and needs, and provides an expression for hopes and aspirations. It reaches parts of our lives and souls that are beyond the state and business. It takes much of what we care about most in our private lives and gives it shape and structure, helping us to amplify care, compassion and hope.”