Conclusion Francesca Moccia Cittadinanzattiva Tribunal for patients' rights

Active ageing citizens at the center of EU health policy. The results of the Conference 26 speakers in the conference, 2 sessions, 1 roundtable discussion, 3 workshops with final recommendations 10 NGOs experiences and best practices presented, 40 NGOs experiences and best practices collected 3 European Institutions: EU Commission, European Parliament, European Economic and Social Committee

In these two days of work, we have: to raise general awareness on the value of active ageing and to ensure a prominent position in the political agenda; to stimulate debate, to exchange information, to develop mutual learning, to identify and disseminate good practices and to encourage cooperation and synergies to develop innovative solutions, policies and long term strategies with the involvement of civil society to combat age discrimination and stereotypes
; .

Few considerations We all want to age gracefully and in good health, but often ageing is a burden (Joop van Griensven, Pain Alliance Europe) The elderly suffer greatly from chronic pain The elderly tolerate the pain In Italy was recognized the rights to the relief of pain (Low n. 38/2010), not in all Countries of Europe

Ageing could be a burden, particularly in a context of economic crisis yesterday morning Pascal Garel underlined the problem of malnutrition in the elderly living alone and poor, who eat junk food (in Italy we will introduce a new tax on junk food to discourage the purchase of bad food. Since junk food is cheaper, the tax will fall to the poorest)

In Italy the main problems are: -lack of resources for social policies -lack of specific facilities in the care of elderly with chronic diseases -elderly in health facilities are ill-treated, eating junk food, have a few doctors and nurses, sometimes abandoned -there is little home care, telemedicine, telemonitoring.

 The Vice-President of the European Parliament said yesterday that we must manage the crisis but, at the same time, safeguard the patients rights and the European welfare state. Today we can conclude that this is possible, basing on the experiences such as the ones we have shared and collected in this conference

1. Civic activism is already an answer for active ageing 2. The economic and social crisis that we are experiencing does not limit the ability to work together in networks, to make alliances 3. In this way we are already saving the European welfare state, we are already innovating it

4. There is more innovation in these 40 best practices than in many other public initiatives 5. These experiences show that helping people and improving their quality of life can be easy, quick and not expensive.

In summary.. working together we have produced 13 concrete recommendations. The next steps Now its the time for the active citizenship! We have to work in our own Countries, in order to implement actions and activities, promote advocacy, stimulate governments.

Thanks to
Teresa Petrangolini, Alessio Terzi Daniela Quaggia, Antonella Nalli, Alessandra Puddu, Giulia Savarese, Alessandro Cossu, Giovanni Pisanello, Roberta Romano, Elena Cavassa, Rosapaola Metastasio All the chairmen and the speechers All the sponsors and all of you