Campaigning

Growing numbers of us are remaining active as we age. We're interested in various issues and we have time to pursue those interests. There are a range of issues which directly concern us as older people, such as pension rights, health care, public transport, employment and age discrimination. And many of us, of course, continue to be interested in other issues such as human rights or the environment. While still in the minority, our influence and our lobbying power is steadily growing.

At present in the EU, there are more than 60m people who are over 60, comprising over one person in five of the population. As a group, older people are more likely to vote and to want to make their vote count. Soon, our numbers will grow to one voter in three within the EU, which is what the proportion of older voters will be by 2030.

Older & Bolder

A number of older people's organisations are combining forces on a campaign highlighting the issue of ageism in Ireland. This public education and information campaign, Older & Bolder, was launched on 2 November 2006. It aims to raise awareness around the issue of ageism and to mobilise support for the development of a national strategy for older people that accurately and openly reflects the views, the needs and the contribution of older people in Ireland.

You can register your support for Older & Bolder on the Older & Bolder website. Write to Older & Bolder at PO Box 10845, Dublin 9, call them on Locall 1890 252 450.

Irish campaigning organisations

In Ireland there are a number of organisations of older people who campaign on a range of issues on behalf of their members. The Irish Senior Citizen's Parliament, established in 1995, represents the interests of older people to the government. Some 200 older people's groups are affiliated to the Parliament representing between them close on 100,000 people, making it the largest Irish representative organisation. The ISCP lobbies on everything from pensions to rural transport and health issues.

Age Action Ireland is a national non-governmental organisation working as a network of organisations and people providing services for older people and their carers in Ireland and as a development agency promoting better policies and services for them. As part of their role, they advocate and campaign on behalf of older people in Ireland.  

The Older Women's Network (OWN) (Ireland) seeks to bring older women together to share interests and to be a voice for older women, aiming to influence policy-making. Age & Opportunity sponsored the development of OWN Ireland initially. In 2000, OWN became part of the National Anti-Poverty Networks Programme and was established as a national independent registered company with charitable status and its own offices and staff.

Other organisations include the Irish Association of Older People and the National Federation of Pensioners Association. Check the Older People's Organsiations section of this website for information on these and all other ageing organisations in Ireland.

International campaigning organisations

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) established in 1958, has become a highly-effective lobbying organisation. It has 33 million members making it a force to be reckoned with. Its magazine, Modern Maturity, is the largest circulation magazine in the US. The AARP has proved the power of older consumers who vote with their cheque books when products and services fail to meet their needs.