Along with the campaign “Society of all ages”, which brought together sixty organisations from 50 towns and villages around the country, the discussion was aimed at appreciation and praising the contribution of our mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers to the society. We know that the everyday life of the elderly people is not always easy, but loneliness, isolation, lack of understanding and respect are the most difficult to cope with.

Representatives of various civil organisations, working with and for elderly people; Ministry of Social Policy, the UNFPA, media and elderly people took part in the discussion. The aim was to provoke a debate about the various aspects of social inclusion of the elderly people and the opportunities for consultations with them on relevant policies and issues. It was important for all participants from different type and way of operation organisations to have this conversation together.

Emilia Voinova, director directorate Demographic Development, Ethnic Issues and Equal Opportunities at The Ministry of Social Policy presented the directions and the policies for elderly people in the context of demographic changes in Bulgaria and Europe.

Elena Zlatanova, national coordinator of UNFPA presented the position for development of National programme for Active Ageing with the national demography strategy, adopted in 2006.

The participating elderly people - long tear active members of Charity Association Donka Paprikova, also spoke out their opinion. They shared some ideas and suggestions for concrete forms that would give the elderly people a chance to be of use and feel important.

The discussion took place in the frame of a project Promotion of older people’s social inclusion through national and local public debates, realized By Tulip Foundation in a partnership with 11 organisations from 8 EU members states with the support of the European commission.