European Seniors' Union - ESU

Page d'Accueil
België
Brussels
European Seniors' Union - ESU

ESU is the seniors' organisation of the European People's Party (EPP). We stand for the rights of senior citizens across the European Union.

The European Seniors’ Union - ESU is a network of political seniors’ associatons in Europe. The ESU is a member association of the European People’s Party (EPP) and is represented in 27 countries with 34 organisations. It is led by a board, which gets elected every three years. Since 2013 An Hermans is elected President of the association. Secretary general of the association is Guido Dumon. We be

lieve in people of all generations to lead Europe to future developments. We want our economies to return to growth that produces jobs, with young people looking to their future with confidence, seniors feeling proud of their accomplishments and families protected and strengthened to endorse the challenges and risks of changing societies. One of the key challenges of today’s societies is demographic change. The EU, the Member States and all citizens, together we are called to cope with the gains, strengths and limitations of ageing societies. We, senior citizens, want to be part of a better Europe for all ages. For more information: http://esu-epp.eu/

19/06/2026

The Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG), which has been mandated to draft a new legally binding international instrument on the rights of older persons at yhe United Nations, will hold its first session on the content in Geneva from 13 to 17 July 2026.

How to engage :

🔆Participate in-person: register through the UN INDICO platform and join the internal coordination meeting for those going to Geneva on Wednesday 1 July, from 11:00 to 12:00 CEST AGE meeting Registration - Zoom

🔅Follow online: UN Web TV

🔅Join AGE Platform Europe debrief for members on Thursday 23 July 2026, 11:00–12:30 CEST AGE meeting Registration - Zoom

📤Send your pledges on what action you are planning to support for the drafting of the UN Convention.

All this can be done via European Seniors' Union - ESU as announced to the Presidency members.

19/06/2026

This week, Secretary General Patrick Penninckx is participating in No Hate Speech Week at the Council of Europe, joining policymakers, experts, civil society representatives, and media professionals in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our democracies.

The programme features important discussions on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on public discourse, the need to strengthen digital inclusion, and strategies to counter disinformation while safeguarding fundamental rights. Participants are also exploring the critical role of media freedom and independent journalism in building resilient and inclusive societies.

As online spaces continue to shape public debate, No Hate Speech Week provides a valuable platform for advancing human rights, democratic participation, and respectful dialogue across Europe and beyond.
As European Seniors' Union - ESU, we need to be present to fight age discrimination and promote .

19/06/2026

A very constructive exchange today between our President Stefaan Vercamer, representing the European Seniors' Union, and Michael O'Flaherty on the rights and dignity of older persons in Europe.

As Europe's population continues to age, ensuring that senior citizens can fully enjoy their human rights is becoming an increasingly important priority. The discussion focused on key issues affecting older persons, including social inclusion, access to healthcare and long-term care, protection against age discrimination, digital participation, autonomy, and the right to live with dignity.

The meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening policies that promote active ageing, intergenerational solidarity, and the meaningful participation of older persons in public life. It also underscored the need to ensure that the voices of seniors are heard when decisions are made that affect their lives and well-being.

The European Seniors' Union and the Commissioner for Human Rights share a commitment to advancing a rights-based approach to ageing, recognising older persons not only as beneficiaries of support but as active citizens whose experience, knowledge, and contributions enrich our societies.

In a rapidly changing world, protecting the rights of senior citizens is essential to building inclusive, democratic, and resilient communities for all generations.

11/06/2026

European Seniors' Union - ESU Team meeting today in the EPP - European People's Party. Meetings with Maria Molina, EPP Political Director, discussing planning for 2026 and beyond. We will be happy to welcome her at our Summer Academy in Nicosia, 24 - 26 September together with Οργάνωση Πρεσβύτερων Πολιτών - Senior Citizens Cyprus and the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies. Stefaan Vercamer
Patrick Penninckx Gnanam Seminck Günter De Schepper Yolande Van Droogenbroeck. Our Treasurer Gnanam was congratulated for her outstanding financial management and clear book keeping and prognoses.

11/06/2026

As Secretary General of the European Seniors' Union (ESU), I am increasingly convinced that the ongoing discussions on a future UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons must fully address the impact of artificial intelligence and robotics on the lives of older people.

Too often, conversations about technology and ageing focus solely on the digital divide. While digital inclusion remains essential, we must also look ahead and consider the opportunities that AI and robotics can bring to enhance autonomy, participation, mobility, health, and quality of life for older persons.

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can help seniors access information, public services, and healthcare support more easily. Robotics can support independent living, assist with daily activities, and reduce loneliness through companionship technologies.
ESu will discuss this innits Summer Academy in September with Geertrui Mieke De Ketelaere Autonomous vehicles have the potential to transform mobility for older persons, enabling them to remain active and connected even when driving is no longer an option.

At the same time, we cannot ignore the risks. AI systems may reinforce age-related bias and discrimination, compromise privacy, reduce human contact, or make decisions that significantly affect people's lives without sufficient transparency or accountability.
This is why seniors' organisations must actively engage in shaping the governance of these technologies. Older persons should not merely be the subjects of technological innovation; they must be recognised as rights holders and stakeholders in its design, deployment, oversight and de-commissioning

A rights-based approach is essential. In this regard, methodologies such as the Council of Europe's Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law Impact Assessment ( ) provide valuable tools to assess both the benefits and risks of AI systems before and during their implementation.

The future United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons offers a unique opportunity to ensure that technological developments contribute to dignity, independence, participation, and equality in later life. It should establish clear safeguards while also recognising the transformative potential of AI and robotics for an ageing society.

The voice of older persons must be present in this debate. The future of AI should be designed with them, not simply for them. That was also my conclusion before the General Assembly of AGE Platform Europe AGE in beautiful Leuven yesterday.

11/06/2026

Congratulations to our Vice-President Mojca Škrinjar on Her Appointment as State Secretary in Slovenia

Warm congratulations to Mojca Škrinjar on her appointment as State Secretary at Slovenia’s Ministry of Education, Science and Youth, where she will help shape policies affecting young people and the future development of Slovenian society. Her appointment was confirmed by the Slovenian Government during its inaugural session this June.

This important responsibility comes at a time when youth participation, education, innovation, and intergenerational cooperation are more important than ever. We wish her every success in advancing opportunities for young people and strengthening their role in public life.

We also extend our sincere congratulations to Mojca Škrinjar on serving as Vice President of the European Seniors' Union (ESU), affiliated with the EPP - European People's Party. Her engagement at both the national and European levels reflects a strong commitment to public service, dialogue, and active citizenship.

We wish her success in her new role and look forward to her contributions to youth policy, education, and the development of future generations in Slovenia.
The appointment as State Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth was announced by the Slovenian Government on 4 June 2026.

The picture was taken at our Spring Conference in Budapest.

09/06/2026

Today, our Secretary General had the privilege of participating in the AGE Annual Conference 2026 in Leuven, under the inspiring theme: "Turning 25 Years of Advocacy into Action for the Rights of Older People."

He was delighted to engage in meaningful discussions with Professor Zvezdan Pirtošek, H.E. Barbara Sušnik, Ambassador of Slovenia, Khaled Hassine, Chris Serroyen of OKRA, and Professor Lucie Vidovićová of Masaryk University.
The exchanges focused on one of the most important challenges facing ageing societies today: strengthening international commitments towards a United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older People. We shared perspectives on how governments, civil society, academia, and senior citizens' organisations can work together to ensure that the dignity, participation, equality, and human rights of older persons are fully recognised and protected worldwide.

As AGE Platform Europe celebrates 25 years of advocacy, it is clear that the time has come to translate decades of commitment into concrete action. Building stronger alliances and advancing a UN Convention remain essential steps towards creating societies where all generations can age with dignity and respect.

Thanks to AGE Platform Europe and all participants for fostering such a constructive and forward-looking dialogue.

08/06/2026

Time for a visit with our Honorary President An Hermans as the AGE Platform Europe General Assembly takes place in her home town . several of the European Seniors' Union - ESU activities took place here, including a Summer Academy 2023 and above all the Congress in 2024, where the current ESU Presidency was elected. Our Secretary General Patrick Penninckx represents ESU in the General Assembly of ESU for a mandate of three years. AGE celebrates 25 years of existence and says goodbye to its President Heidrun Mollenkopf, with emotional Fado music by one of the AGE members from Portugal.

08/06/2026

Starting the preparations of autumn conference on Housing to take place in November 2026 in Bergen, Norway. The preparatory team held their meeting online with President Stefaan Vercamer, Secretary General Patrick Penninckx, Grete Horntvedt and Sigurd Kolstrup Hille.

06/06/2026

Dinner with Οργάνωση Πρεσβύτερων Πολιτών - Senior Citizens Cyprus with the Chapters of Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol. Great to see our most active Cypriot supporters. Pambos Georgiades Antonios Demetriades. See you in Nicosia for the Summer Academy 24 - 26 September and the "Walk of Love" on 27 September.

Adresse

Rue De Commerce 10
Brussels
1000

Téléphone

+32 22 854140

Site Web

http://www.esu-epp.eu/

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque European Seniors' Union - ESU publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.