Euroencontros inglês final

EUROMEETING 2015 - LA CORUÑA(GALICIA - SpAIN)

FROM 17th TO 24th OF ApRIL 2015

EDITORIAL

ARTICLE

CURRENTS NEWS

FUENGIROLA - 2014

- Europe must stay united

- 27th French National Federation Conference

- If we were told the story of the Group…

- Unemployment in Spain

- The role of the elderly in our society

- XXI Euromeeting

- In the Euromeetings, we work…

- Conclusions on the 19th Euromeeting theme in Tossa de Mar 2013

- Euromeeting - Andalusia 2014

- Memories of Fuengirola

G R O U P O F E U R O P E A N P E N S I O N E R S F R O M S A V I N G S B A N K S A N D F I N A N C I A L I N S T I T U T I O N S

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Editorial - Europe must stay united 3If we were told the story of the group… 4,5Conclusions on the 19th Euromeeting theme in Tossa de Mar 2013 6,7In the Euromeetings, we work… 8Unemployment in Spain 9The role of the elderly in our society 10Euromeeting - Andalusia 2014 11Memories of Fuengirola 1327th French National Federation Conference 14Euromeeting 2015 – la Coruña (Galicia) 17th - 24th April 15Photos of Fuengirola 2014 16

SUMÁRIO

GROUP OF EUROPEAN PENSIONERS FROM SAVINGS BANKS AND FINANCIAL

INSTITUTIONS

Management AND Administration address:C/ Santiago, 4

03001 ALICANTE (Spain)

***

EXECUTIVE COMMITEE

CÂNDIDO VINTÉM(President)

JEAN CLAUDE CHRÉTIEN(1st Vice President)

FRANCISCO RAMÍREZ MUNUERA(2nd Vice President)

MANAGEMENT BOARD

PresidentCÂNDIDO VINTÉM

Vice PresidentsJEAN CLAUDE CHRÉTIEN

FRANCISCO RAMÍREZ MUNUERA(Treasurer)

SecretaryANTONIO GONZÁLEZ DÍEZ

Assistant SecretaryFRANCIS BIZARD

Assistant to presidencyMARIA CRÉMILDA CABRITO

ASSEMBLY DELEGATES

Portugal:

CARLOS GARRIDO

JOSÉ RIBEIRO GONÇALVES

MENDES DE ALMEIDA

ORLANDO SANTOS

France:

JACQUES HUBERT

JEAN WOJTIUK

JEAN YVES MARTIN

MICHEL PAGEAULT

Spain:

DOMINGO PEREZ AUYANET

JOSÉ ALMELA ALCÁZAR

JOSÉ GARCIA VILLA

Italy:

EGIDIO RAMONDETTI

Members chosen:

RUTH REBERT (Germany)

(United Kingdom)

HONOR MEMBERSCAIXA GERAL DE DEPÓSITOS

CAJA DE AHORROS DE ZARAGOZA ARAGÓN Y RIOJA (IBERCAJA)

CAJA MEDITERRÁNEO (BANCO SABADELL)

SPANISH CONFEDERATION OF SAVINGS BANKS

EUROPEAN SAVINGS BANKS GROUP (ESBG)

F o r f u r t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h e G r o u p :

S e c r e t a r i a t

President (Portugal): [email protected] Vice President (France): [email protected]

2nd Vice President (Spain): [email protected]

[email protected]

DIRETOR DESIGN AND LAYOUTCândido Vintém MARSIL - ARTES GRÁFICAS, Lda Cândido Vintém Alicia González Amorós

EDITORS PRINTINGCândido Vintém Marsil - Artes Gráficas, LdaJean Claude Chrétien R.Central de Carvalhido, 374Egidio Ramondetti Moreira 4471-907 MaiaRuth Rebert e Christa Saia (Portugal)Domingo Pérez Auyanet Tel: +351229416114Georges Vallade Fax: +351229417492


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EDITORIALEUROPE MUST STAY UNITED

This year’s edition of the newsletter comes at a time when Europe is having to face some difficult challenges and for which it does not seem to have the capacity to respond.

As the European Union still does not have its own voice, the events happening at its borders (or further afield) are yet to receive an effective response.

The events occurring in Ukraine, a country which is preparing to become part of the European Union, highlight that the understanding among countries is not an easy task. The history of the E.U. still carries weight and the decisions made in its name are still characterised by this long historical tradition.

In a recent visit to the Baltic countries, which were once part of the former Soviet Union (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), I had the opportunity to exchange ideas and feelings with some of their citizens. It is clear to see that the situation in Ukraine is being closely watched, especially by Lithuania.

However, the decisive action taken by the European Union is also reflected in the measures which are being taken in the West in response to threats occurring in distant countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, etc.

In short, there is one country which is at the head of all these matters, it is none other than the United States and also, on a smaller scale, some European countries which, one way or another, take their own political positions, leaving aside the rest of the Member States which should also be part of all decisions adopted by the E.U.

Only when the leaders of the “Distant Europe”, in other words, Brussels or Strasbourg, find the courage to adopt a solid, global and independent position, bearing in mind the specific characteristics of the “Old Continent”, will we be able to talk of a true European Union.

The feeling of belonging to a place is decisive in the life of humanity, just how history has shown us throughout the years, it should be the defining element which reveals the United Europe desired by us all.

I believe that our generation is having an important role in a historical legacy which is dramatically showing where “our space” is taking us. This situation should be used as a foundation for the European Union to realise the social reality it is undergoing and that not everything comes down to economic reality.

Our Euromeetings give us the chance to express our opinions freely, reaching agreements and conclusions consented by us all. This is an example of how the European Institutions should work in order to transform a Mosaic Europe into a United Europe.

Cândido VintémPresident of the European Group

Presidential table during the General Assembly

General Assembly


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It is quite hard or even impossible going back twenty years to the foundation of our European Group, as well as mentioning all the committed European men and women, who have worked constantly and with great determination to achieve our goals, with so little time. I therefore ask you all to be indulgent with me.

Thus, I am going to concentrate on important events which have characterised these past 20 years, and ask you all to remember those who have left their mark on the life of our Group.

This year, we celebrate our 20th Euromeeting, but in fact, the European Group was founded in Brussels in June 1993, during the first General Assembly in which our group adopted the “European Charter for Pensioners”, presented by André Coutant, Founding Chairman of the French Federation, to different personalities of the European Commission. It was a few years before, in 1987, during the General Assembly of Pensioners and Retired people of Spain in Santiago de Compostela, when the process of creating an Association began. Further down the line, on 12th November 1988, thanks to Francisco Bernabeu Penalva, President of the Federation of Pensioners and Retired people of Spain, the “Declaration of Madrid”, one of the proposals for the founding document of the European Group, was adopted.

Spain, Portugal, France and Belgium ratified the agreement during a meeting in Zaragoza in July 1993. Our group was founded thanks to the will, intuition and perseverance of certain men, our founders. A special mention goes to our first presidents, Francisco Bernábeu Penalva and José Lidón Meseguer from Spain, Roger Miraglio and André Ségur from France, the secretary Rafael da Cruz Marques from Portugal and the treasurer Raoul Maelstaf from Belgium.

Soon after, our Group evolved under the impetus of two great presidents who, each with

their own qualities, charisma and will to guide the Group to new horizons, left their mark on our future and destiny: Pepe Lidón and Pepe López.

José Lidón Meseguer became president in ISDABE during the 1998 Euromeeting. We saw in him, a man who gave shape to our Group to his own image; a craftsman of evolution who made us what we are today, a group which is recognised at European level. Because of his great perseverance, he knew how to be a craftsman of modern development for our association, whilst providing us with specific and efficient structures, enabling us to prepare for the future. In order to increase participation in meetings, which at that point were limited exclusively to the founding members, he created Euromeetings, a hard-working group, but at the time, a relaxed group. He is the motorman of the Euromeetings. He soon realised the importance of dialogue, so with the help of Diego Carrasco, Professor of Translation and Interpretation at the University of Alicante, and his students, the Euromeeting texts started to be translated. In 1999, during the Euromeeting which took place at the same time as the International Congress of UNESCO, the “Declaration of Alicante was promulgated by the Group, which clearly establishes that pensioners and the active population have exactly the same rights.

José Lidón’s humanism, his talent for negotiating and, most of all, his generosity, helped him make many friends among the European Pensioners. In April 2002, in Peniscola, he handed over his presidency to Roberto López and became the first Honourable President of the European Group. On the 9th October 2010, Pepe Lidón passed away, leaving behind the memory of a great president who managed to modernise our Group.

At that time, José Roberto López Martínez succeeded him, after being the treasurer between 2000 and 2001. In 2005, he became

executive vice-president, in charge of the difficult tasks of conceptual and administrative management and accounting, as well as being in charge of the relationship sector. In 2008, he became President of the European Group. Pepe, which is what his friends call him, gave the European Group a fresh boost, and made it more based on rigour, research and controlled expenditure. He was always loyal to the past and to the founders’ objectives. He managed to guide our Group towards European objectives, and he shared with us his humanism, enthusiasm, convictions, as well as his concerns. It is thanks to him that our European Group was able to ensure a permanent membership in AGE, the European Platform for the elderly, which is in Brussels. Moreover, we also thank him for creating GET (Study and Work Group). He gave his body and soul to our Group; He never let his guard down, not even when he was in hospital and very weak because of the illness that, inevitably ended up taking him away.

At the beginning of 2011, Pepe López passed away, leaving us with his determination to build a social and human Europe, which benefits all citizens. He left behind his intention of an age-friendly European Union, which firmly defends the most disadvantaged people, and especially, the elderly. Through this inheritance, we need to prove that we have the will to continue with his hard work.

Likewise, I would also like to mention some other people who have left their mark on the life and evolution of our Group. For instance, I think of our Italian friend Franco Salza, who, along with Pepe López, assumed the presidency of the Group from 2005 to 2007. He did a thorough search on a voluntary basis on what our Group should be within Europe, something which he considered extremely important. Moreover, he had a special trait: his open mind, which fundamentally characterised his presidency. We would have loved to have

IF WE WERE TOLD THE STORY OF THE GROUP

General Assembly


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had him here today to celebrate our Group’s twentieth anniversary.

There are other people who gave all their energy and skills for the benefit of our Group, and who have left their mark on its evolution: Vihhelm Lemchen from Sweden, Cyriel Vanden Ameele from Belgium, Barry Ingham from the United Kingdom, Antonio Serra from Portugal and Arline Easson from Scotland, as well as Antonio Orts, who was the secretary for many years. Each one of these individuals brought a much needed humanist trait to the Group. Our friend Barry deserves a special mention: he was a board member since 2006, and we remember him for the questions he would make, his interrogations, his criticism, his honest way of speaking and his particular opinions about problems thanks to his own past experience as a trade unionist. He accompanied and influenced our Group’s evolution, and we want him to know, when he reads this, how much we regret his absence from this Euromeeting.

Continuing with our Group’s historic reference, I would like to mention my dear French friend Jean Vauriot, who has always been close to our Group. He was vice-president from 1998 to 2004. Not only did he share with us his dynamism, competence and his opinions on problems which we had to face, but he also shared the many sides of his culture with us, in an intellectual way. In recent years, his presentations and conferences in the Euromeetings have enchanted us. We will always remember the time we spent with him, memories such as the Federico García Lorca evening, and out trip last year in France, in Collioure, as well as his evocation to the revolutionary Spanish poet, Machado.

In 2011 in Olbia, Sardinia, just as Pepe López had wished in his last moments of life, a few days after his death, and as requested by José Barberá Blesa and Diego Carrasco, I accepted the role as President of our Group after being Vice-president since 2005.

If I had to mention some of the strongest points of my presidency, it would have to the modification of the statutes which enabled the

direct admission to the Group, a situation which, since the Spanish Federation left, after two years of negotiations, has since authorised the direct admission of Spanish regional banks. On the other hand, this modification of the statutes has also authorized the presence of delegates in the Assembly with advisory capacity, allowing our friends Ruth Rebert (Germany) invited member since 1996, Egidio Ramondetti (Italy) and Auyanet (Spain) to discuss matters freely. Another important modification was the creation of a rotating presidency, limiting the time of presidency to three years. Finally, we modernised our Euromeetings by introducing simultaneous interpretation in six languages in all of the meetings, as well as in the plenary assembly, enabling a dialogue/debate between the room and the different speakers. Moreover, we managed to stay in contact with the AGE Platform in Brussels. We also developed periodic information, and we took on a permanent secretary to help the associations and federations, a mission that I trusted Alicia with, our young secretary who has always delivered and still does, in a completely competent manner, showing total devotion to this important mission. Thank you ever so much Alicia for your hard work and involvement.

These structural changes should enable us to maintain the cohesion that we need now more than ever, in order to perfect and continue our Group’s hard work around the values which have formed the epicentre of our action for two decades.

In 2013, in Tossa de Mar, obeying the principal of rotating presidency, my friend Cândido Vintém took on his new role in the Group. We all know that we can rely on his goodwill, skills and dynamism to lead the Group toward new goals and new achievements

More than ever before, we need to participate as much as we can during our reunions, in order to define the Europe we want. An age-friendly Europe according to the principles of the founders of our Group.

The 2013 Nobel Prize which was given to the European Union is an element of recovery

which seems to be telling us: Do not forget where you come from! We have to understand this as a support and a reminder for us Europeans. Even if we have to face everyday difficulties, the situation should not hide the journey on which we have already embarked. As the French writer Jean Monnet said in his memoir: “Europe will build itself in crisis. It will be constituted by the sum of solutions found to resolve each crisis.””.

In the French Federation Conference in Lille, I raised an important issue: in 2050, will Europe still be there, still able to defend and promote its values, ideas and interests? Or on the contrary, will it have resigned itself to becoming a regional power subcontracting the economy of all the other countries, making it, in the worst case scenario, a simple consumer of fabricated products or of products that have been designed for others? This question is extremely important! It is straight forward and direct, and it is aimed at us and the future generations. For our Group, member of the European Platform AGE, our message is clear: We need to build an age-friendly European Union. Acting with good judgement and pragmatically, our European Group can confirm today that national defence and interest can no longer just be national. The Union of Europeans is no longer an option; it is a vital necessity to be able to assess, to rely on, and for us protect ourselves and to be respected.

In conclusion, I invite you all to reflect a moment about our Group’s logo: a flying seagull, on top of Europe’s initial. Like this migratory bird which is loyal to his starting point, we need to open tomorrow’s door to other nations, saving banks and banks, giving Europe an image similar to the one described by the French poet Marcel Proust: “We gazed at the calm sea upon which, here and there, a few gulls floated like white petals”.

Jean Claude CHRÉTIENFirst Vice President

of the European Group

GET and invited


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CONCLUSIONS ON THE 19TH EUROMEETING THEME IN TOSSA DE MAR 2013

HOW WILL EUROPE OVERCOME THE CRISIS AND WHAT WILL BE THE PENSIONERS’S ROLE IN THE FUTURE?”

INTRODUCTION

As acknowledged in the Euromeeting debate in Lisbon, the crisis that has hit Europe since 2008 was originally caused by housing speculation, which then led to an overestimation of bank assets, making them become “toxic”. At some point, the implosion of the “property bubble” caused some major American banks and other banks in many European countries to collapse.

It could be argued that these results are a consequence of liberal economic theories, which caused policies to be subject to the “the free market”. The theories turned out to be wrong, and with deregulation of the financial market and poorly managed banks, the entire Western world was affected.

On the other hand, in Europe, the so-called “Original sin” of the Euro (i.e. a creation of inequalities between countries, with the assumption that through a single currency a uniform economic area would be created) often caused dramatic consequences for some of the countries with fragile economies.

Indeed, the majority of the “Eurozone” gives priority to national aspirations rather than European aspirations, without having a clear idea about a union of countries, which led to the deterioration of economic and social inequalities among the different countries in the Eurozone.

When the time came to face the crisis, austerity policies were developed which made ordinary citizens pay for the recovery of the banks through further unemployment, poorer health service, poorer education and more emigration, especially in counties with the most fragile economies.

All in all, the measures that the European Union started to put in place to tackle the crisis are far from putting a stop to it.

HOW TO EMERGE FROM THE CRISIS?

► More investment in the real and productive economy, as well as its modernisation in order to stimulate the “Eurozone” economy, reducing debts and financial speculation.

Europe relocated a huge part of its industry to countries where the workforce is cheaper, but it did not anticipate the consequences of this decision. Europe will only be able to regain the power it has had from the post-war period to the nineties through productive reinvestment, and without financial speculation.

An Abolition of “tax havens”. The elimination of tax evasion and fraud can only be achieved through concerted action in Europe.

Tax havens lead to tax evasion and tax fraud. These financial havens hide and “launder” money from well-known sources, an activity which is most likely to be done by speculators and traders. Its elimination will only be achieved through concerted action by all nations, especially those who would protect themselves and benefit from it.

► By ending bank secrecy and creating mechanisms for the automatic exchange of information on capital investments.

Bank secrecy and the freedom it gives to those who move money around illegally are both issues linked to tax havens. An efficient information exchange system on capital mobility between different countries would be necessary.

► By working together to renovate the European Union, making it more democratic, more legitimate, more

focused on its citizens, so that we can all feel like fully-fledged Europeans.

On the other hand, the citizen’s Europe does not exist yet due to the fact that European mechanisms and institutions do not bear in mind their citizens’ needs and they do not feel that global problems are also their own problems.

► Towards a Europe for all countries and all citizens by respecting the cultural and historic circumstances of each country.

The “European Union” is not yet a reality due to the existence of national selfishness, and even social and cultural barriers in some European regions which prevent us from achieving the ideal of a Europe for all. Each country’s history and culture needs to be respected to ensure that they are united, but without expanding them.

► Speed convergence of social and fiscal policies.

THE PENSIONERS’ ROLE IN THE FUTURE

3 An important group for Europe’s future because it acts as a support for the previous generation and for the young generation who are increasingly affected by unemployment and poverty.

The current retirees (or the sandwich generation, a name given to us by many countries) are citizens who help the previous generations, who experienced many difficulties due to the war and the post-war. They also help the younger generation, who are suffering the consequences of the crisis with threats of unemployment and impoverishment. It is us, citizens who still carry supportive values and who can give shape to a Citizen’s Europe.

3 Tackle the discrimination brought on us by the authorities of some countries, who think that we are insensitive and selfish in response to the efforts that are required from all citizens.

GET


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The liberal and neoliberal theories try to create a division between our generation and our children’s, making them believe that we have great lives and that we do not want to share our wellbeing with them so that, they, too can be better off. This is not true, and our assets which we have earned during our work life are also for our children, whether it is through financial help or through good maintenance of these assets so they can put them to good use in the future.

3 Active aging = “We are not a burden for our countries nor for Europe”. If the “grey power” is aware of its social and political influence, it can help Europe pick itself up.

Age should not be a dividing issue for citizens when the future of Europe is concerned. The elderly represent the largest demographic group of European citizens. We have the experience of many years of work and suffering. Therefore, if we face Europe’s challenges, the “grey power” can provide new forces so that Europe can rebuild itself.

3 Work with suitable tasks, without age limits and on a voluntary basis.

The elderly will have an important role in transmitting corporate culture to the younger generation.

Many retired citizens, whether they retired at 60, 65, 67 or even 70, still have the energy and capability to pass on their “business culture” to younger generations. It is true that there are some new tasks that we are no longer familiar with, but a prudent management will be a great gain for companies and institutions.

3 Volunteer work, whether in the social sector, or in the health sector, creating a “social economy” for the benefit of all of the community.

Even if the volunteer work is not in the traditional sectors, older people are capable and available to carry on producing goods and services in the what we now call “third sector”, or in other words, in the “social economy”. This needs to target the wellbeing of all citizens.

3 Intergenerational solidarity, with mutual support between different age groups in order to build a society in which everyone can contribute

according to the needs and capabilities of each individual, promoting common economic and social progress.

Europe will only be able to overcome the crisis by putting an end to the virtual division between the “old” and the “young”. Also, it needs to ensure that everyone can benefit from the prospects, in order for the citizens to progress both economically and socially.

3 Further training, through the conventional education system or the so-called “Senior Universities”.

We cannot jump to the conclusion that pensioners no longer need any sort of educational training. It is quite the contrary; the increased amount of spare time should be used to improve their knowledge in fields which they did not have the opportunity to study before.

There is an increasing amount of senior students in traditional schools. Also, the role of “Senior Universities” is very important as they transmit knowledge, most of the time it is not done in a very “academic way”, but they are always very efficient.


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In the EUROMEETINGS, we work… Our 20th Euromeeting took place in Fuengirola (Málaga), in a fun and friendly environment where we were taken away by the charm and attractiveness of all the scheduled cultural visits. Moreover, for many participants this week was also a work reunion, just like it has been for many years. The dates (2nd-9th May) coincided with a heat wave in Andalusia, a situation which happens very often in Southern Spain.

Although the environment in Fuengirola is not the best to work in, this did not stop us as we had important matters to discuss and decide. The heat and the beach did not prevent us from working during those days.

The Board of Directors meeting, the GET Meeting (The Work and Study Group), the Delegates Meeting and the General Plenary Assembly (in which many attending members participated) all took place according to schedule.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The Board of Directors met on Saturday 3rd, which included the new members elected in Tossa de Mar.At the beginning of the meeting, the President suggested we had a minute of silence in memory of our dear Arline Easson (UK), who actively followed and participated in our work for many years and whose death we were made aware of after the Euromeeting in Tossa de Mar.

The Secretary, Antonio J. González Díez, continued by reading the minutes from Tossa de Mar, which was approved unanimously.

The Vice-president, Francisco Ramírez, presented the financial situation and the Group’s budget for this current year. Both documents were approved unanimously.

The President, Cândido Vintém, presented a report of the activities he carried out during the year. The joining of the Italian delegation

to the European Group was approved unanimously. Therefore, Italy has the right to one delegate in the Assembly.

Due to the number of new members and people leaving the Group, we needed to select new delegates in order to reorganise the internal structure of the Group. Those chosen members were:Portugal (Orlando Santos - Carlos Garrido - José Ribeiro Gonçalves - Mendes de Almeida); France (Jean Wojtiuk - Jean Yves Martin - Jacques Hubert - Michel Pageault); Spain (Domingo Pérez Auyanet - José Garcia Villa - Almela José Alcázar); Italy (Egidio Ramondetti); Germany (Ruth Rebert – plus guest).

THE GET MEETING

The Work and Study Group (GET) met to analyse, discuss and approve the conclusions of the debated topic in Tossa de Mar (HOW WILL EUROPE OVERCOME THE CRISIS AND WHAT WILL BE THE ROLE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE FUTURE?). The meeting took place on the 5th.

After an interesting debate among the members of the Work and Study Group, which was extremely enriching for writing the final conclusions based on the speeches made by the different delegates and by the guest speaker who were present in Tossa de Mar.

This document, once translated into several languages, will be presented by the President during the General Assembly of the AGE Platform, which will be held in Brussels 2nd – 4th December. This document will be included amongst the reports given to AGE for the Commissioner of Social Affairs of the European Union.

Due to the urgency we need to present our final documents to the AGE Platform during the preparation for the General Assembly each year, for the year 2015, the Work and Study Group will write the final documents of the conclusions of the speeches on the

topics debated both in Fuengirola (2014) and in La Coruña (2015).

MEETINGS

The Delegates meeting and the Plenary Assembly took place on 3rd and 7th May.

The elected delegates for each national delegation attended the Delegates meeting. Mr. Pietro Venturino (Italy) and Mrs Shirley Gylee (UK) were also invited to participate to the meeting.

In this meeting, everyone was informed about the issues discussed in the Board of Directors meeting.

The General Plenary Assembly took place on 7th May and was well attended. The different national delegations made speeches on the chosen topic for this Euromeeting -”Towards an Age-Friendly European Union”. The guest speaker (Henrique de Melo, Portugal) also spoke about this topic and about his professional experience as a Director of Personnel at the most popular bank in Portugal.

The general idea is that the European institutions need to pay more attention to the “golden generation”, because it (or we) is necessary for Europe to continue being a reference point in social terms. Everyone present reaffirmed the role our generation still has in on-going training and volunteer work.

The audience had the chance to take part in all those matters and do their bit to help. Everyone agreed entirely that we all worked very well in this ever so special Euromeeting.

Cândido Vintém(Presidente da Direção do GEPCB)


General Assembly


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UNEMPLOYMENT IN SPAIN

First of all, I am going to talk about the development of unemployment from the year 2011 where the number of unemployed reached 5,273,600 in the fourth quarter according to the Labour Force Survey, meaning the unemployment rate approached 23% (22.85%, double the average of the European Union). The youth unemployment rate approached 50% (48.60%). The number of jobs lost in Spain since the fourth quarter of 2007 was 2,669,400 jobs and the percentage of temporary contracts rose to 25%, one of the highest in the European Union.

The unemployment rate for the end of 2012 was 5,965,400 (26% of the active Spanish population) according to the INE.

The rise in unemployment in 2012 exceeded provisions made by the government to spend on unemployment benefits. Up until April of that year, the cost rose to 10,721 million euros, 3.64% more than the same period in the previous year.

In the first quarter of 2013, the number of unemployed persons reached its worse figure, climbing to over 6,200,000.

If we go back to the olden days, specifically to the middle ages, the unemployment problem, as we know it today, did still not exist yet. There were unemployed citizens, however, anyone who did not work was considered lazy or homeless. In his book Idle Hands, Professor John Burnett explains that up until the 19th century, many English analysts identified the unemployed mainly as maladjusted and globe travellers that slept rough and wandered the streets at night.

Unemployment was discovered towards the end of the 19th century or at the beginning of the 20th. Special government commissions were formed in order to analyse it and to find a solution, such as the Select Commission of the House of Commons in Britain to target the “Dismay caused by the lack of jobs” in 1895. Unemployment had become an epidemic.

The rising awareness of this problem drastically increased, especially after the First World War. This battle had eliminated unemployment, but at the beginning of the 1920’s, the Western world went through one recession after another, reaching its highest point at the Great Depression, which from 1929 shook the world’s industrialised economies. After the Second World War, many countries experienced a new economic boom and unemployment decreased considerably. This is why it is permissible to say that the origin of the current unemployment problem goes way back to the mid 70’s. The labour market suffered another stumble as a consequence of the petrol crisis of the seventies. As a consequence of greater computerisation many jobs were lost. Unemployment started to increase amongst administration jobs, which in the past were considered to be safe.

There are four fundamental types of unemployment: structural; cyclical, frictional and monetary. In peripheral economies and in sectors which suffer periods of high and low activity (agriculture, hotel industry…) there is even a fifth type, seasonal unemployment.

Structural unemployment technically corresponds to a mismatch between jobs offered by employers and potential workers. This type of unemployment is much more severe than the seasonal and frictional one. Also, it does not depend on time but on the absorptive capacity of labour force which has constant capital, whose accumulation promotes a rise in productivity of workforce and greater structural unemployment.

The main characteristics of structural unemployment are:

* An imbalance maintained between quality and supply and demand characteristics

* Maladjustment of the group of economic actors with regard to the external economy given the incapacity of the domestic market to tackle this difference.

A graphic obsolescence of a determined productive model.

Cyclical unemployment: This type of unemployment occurs in cycles, it usually coincides with economic cycles and its consequences can lead countries with weak institutions to violence and eventually to civil disobedience. An example of cyclical unemployment is the global crisis of 1929.

Frictional unemployment: both frictional unemployment, through rotation and searching and unemployment caused by labour mismatch, due to discrepancies between the characteristics of jobs and employees, appear even when the amount of available jobs match the amount of people willing to work. It occurs when employees leave one job in search of a better one. Their unemployment is temporary and does not represent an economic problem, it is relatively constant.

Seasonal unemployment: it depends on the season due to seasonal fluctuations in the amount of job offered and the amount of workers. This term is also used to refer to the unemployment which occurs due to the fluctuant demand of certain activities such as agriculture.

Long term unemployment: a long term unemployed person is someone who has been registered and seeking work constantly for over a year.

Open unemployment: it refers to people who did not work during the reference week, who actively searched for a job, in other words, they carried out some concrete actions in order to find a job and were available to start working immediately. Not having work; actively

searching for a job and being available and willing to work.

FISCAL POLICY AND EMPLOYMENT

The way in which tax policies affect employment is a complex issue, which is why we need to carefully assess the effects of incentives and disincentives which entail public sector intervention. For instance, a well-designed unemployment benefit system not only provides an important network of protection for the population, but also allows workers to spend more time in search of more productive employment. However, at the same time, it can prolong the duration of unemployment, which would have side effects on potential economic production, because workers who have endured long term unemployment experience a depreciation of their human capital.

We can see the possible disadvantages of the social benefits more clearly in the effects of the job vacancy factor. We often hear about unconditional or unlimited pay from unemployment benefits being one of the main factors which discourage the search for employment.

The latest statistics show us how employment in the tourism sector in Spain has gone up 5.8 % during the second quarter of 2014. The unemployment rate in this sector is 9.2 points below the average of the national economy which stood at 24.5 % in the second quarter of the year. A year ago, this national rate stood at 26.1 %

The number of employed people linked to this sector gone up 5.8 % between March and June, a figure reaching over 2.2 million workers, an increase of 123,105. In the second quarter, it accounted for 12.8 % of total employment in the Spanish economy. There were 2.6 million active employees working in tourist activities, a figure which is 2.9 % higher than last year, with 74,045 more active workers.

Employment in the tourism sector in the islands remains the key factor for their economies since 24.7 % of the total number of the employed work in tourism in the Canary Islands and 26.2 % in the Balearic Islands, above the national average which stands at 12.8 %.

DOMINGO PEREZ AUYANET President of the Association of Retirees from the Insular Building Society of the Canary Islands

Interpreters working


P A G E 10

THE ROLE OF THE ELDERLY IN OUR SOCIETY

We live in a society of elderly people: there are many elderly citizens but very few new born, since young couples are having fewer children than before. Nowadays, being “old” is very different to what it used to be. The seventy-year-olds, who were once considered old, are no longer perceived in the same way. Plus, thanks to the general wellbeing and better life conditions, they are living full and energetic lives, often well integrated into every day and family life and at work. So much so that their experience has become a fundamental support for the development of society.

Nowadays, an older person seems much younger, more dynamic and more active.Old age has become the longest life phase: it is a “new generation”.

People aged between 65 and 80 are in better health than in the past, plus their mental health is constantly improving, as their behaviour is now similar to those aged 50-55 in previous years.

What we used to call the “third age” can now be divided into two phases based on two different situations: The first one refers to elderly citizens who are still energetic and youthful. The other refers to those who are approaching the “forth age”, because their health is starting to deteriorate, their ability to move is reduced and they are no longer able to live independently.

A large amount of those who reach retirement age are in good physical health, are financially secure and have varied pastimes which are usually activities that up until now had just been a dream. The retirement period is becoming a time in which they can do completely as they please and manage in the best way possible.

The socioeconomic analyses show us just how useful older people can be for society and the role that should be given to them.The elderly are one of the most important issues in our society, however, whilst productivity, youth and the constant change of trends and styles are taken into consideration, the elderly, who do not often adapt as quickly, are not.

Scientific and economic progress has resulted in an increase of life expectancy, but we need to give the elderly a precise contribution so that they can make the most of those “extra years”.

We need a new culture for older people which considers the higher life expectancy as a phenomenon that cannot be compared with any other experience lived by man throughout history. The elderly need to become active leaders of the future which will be built for themselves and future generations. They should not be left aside because that would be unfair and intolerable.

There are older people that take pride in their age. On the one hand, they calmly accept their limits and on the other, they are convinced of the value of their age. They have a lot of human, spiritual, cultural energy, ability and skills to give to all.

The way in which we think of the elderly is changing. In many cases, the way we look at them, the interest they generate, has altered. It is thought that, without them, social life would lose a lot of its humanity and would become poorer, losing its memories and values from the past.The new image of an old person still needs to reach general awareness and social participation which, in part, the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 did not fully accomplish.

We need to work together and achieve a union between the generation which has concluded its work cycle and that of the active young.

The elderly especially dedicate their efforts to volunteer work: a huge sector, which especially devotes itself to the social field, with free, selfless and supporting activities which benefit the community.

Older people are an authentic and important resource of “renewable energy”, they are a resource for the economy and society. Being a “resource” means that they themselves are aware, but, above all, it means feeling recognised and valued by society. They can collaborate in communities by helping the most vulnerable people such as children or even elderly citizens who are in extreme situations; they can make an important contribution in the use of common goods, from culture to the environment. They can participate in a useful way in museums, libraries and parks and they can actively take part teaching our young ones knowledge about traditions and skills linked to the past.

The elderly also need to be able to make themselves heard, and above all, their demands need to be heard in society and in the institutions, which should take them on board and satisfy them when possible, taking into account the serious economic situation which is affecting the European Union.

We need to create some social actions and programmes in favour of our older generation. The objective of these is to promote the support of family responsibilities, the development of social intergenerational ties, the restoration of cultural traditions linked with experience and memories and finally the restoration of unused or underused urban areas for the community to come together.

Egidio RamondettiDelegate in the Assembly


P A G E 11

EUROMEETING 2014 ANDALUSIA It is always a great pleasure for us to attend as guests the annual meetings for European pensioners and to renew the friendships made over these past 20 years.

The little homemade bags filled with lavender, made by the Portuguese ladies Isabella and Cremilda for Mother’s day was a lovely surprise, as was the XXth Anniversary CD which Alicia put a lot of work and effort into making. We are extremely grateful to the management team for this unforgettable gift.

At the beginning of May, 220 participants from Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, England and Germany met in Fuengirola in the Costa del Sol for this well organised week.

The Euromeeting motto was: Towards an Age-Friendly European Union. In the plenary assembly, speakers from different countries shared their points of view:- In order to overcome all of the problems

we are facing we need to maintain peace in Europe. We need a cross-border policy for all ages.

- “We are all in the same boat”.- Tackling unemployment, as well as

encouraging and educating people of all ages are top priorities.

- Human dignity and individual personality should be maintained and broad participation in social life should be facilitated.

- Family and social ties, as well as volunteer work are an important aspect for the future.

- In order to tackle poverty in old age in Europe private provision schemes are needed.

Henrique de Melo, the Portuguese speaker received a huge applause for his speech. Through the active debate between all participants at the end of the assembly and with the professional support of the interpreters, the different matters were transmitted more effectively.

We discovered that the Spanish Federation had decided to disassociate from the group. We regret this decision, especially because, in 1993 in Brussels, Spain was the initiator and founding member of the European Group.

In 20 years, the Spanish Presidents Francisco Bernabéu, Pepe Lidón, Pepe López, the Italian President Franco Salza and the French president Jean Claude Chrétien have all ran the European Group with both passion and human warmth.

Our current Portuguese President Cândido Vintém and the travel agency Viajes Transvía

with the help of Santiago and Amparo carefully organised some wonderful trips.

For our first trip, we were taken to Malaga, one of the capitals of the Andalusian provinces.

From the fortification of the Castle of Gibralfaro, Mount Faro, we had our first glance of the city and its surrounding areas.

On our walk through the old part of the city, walking past the house where Picasso was born, the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba, we could not help but notice that there were many crosses of red flowers. Religious associations and communities place them over the city for the Festival of the Crosses (3rd May).

Whilst visiting the Cathedral, we discovered that it took more than 250 years to build; however, the building work was never completed. They did not build the second tower, since the money destined for the building work was used to support the Americans in their War of Independence in 1776.

The true masterpiece of the Cathedral is the choir which has attractive stalls with 103 carved statues.

We spent a whole day in Granada. The nicest part of the city was the old district of Albaicín where in its intricate narrow streets and houses we can see the preserved atmosphere of the Moorish Granada. We enjoyed a fantastic view of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada from there.

We visited the Carthusian Monastery named “La Cartuja”, which was founded in 1516. The inside was designed in the 17th century following a spectacular Baroque style with fantastic frescoes on the ceiling in the nave of the church, as well as many stuccoed decorations and inlaid pieces made from ivory, silver and mahogany wood in the sacristy.

After our delicious meal at hotel “Ma Nazaries” we continued our visit with the stunning Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace. The church, which has 5 naves, is one of the country’s most important buildings of the renaissance style. The façade of the “Main Chapel” which is decorated with sculptures, as well as the chapels in the side areas are part of most impressive elements of the church. In the Royal Chapel, which is situated next to the Cathedral, lay the mortal remains of the Spanish king Ferdinand II and queen Isabel of Castile.

The day after, we explored the old part of Marbella with our guide Raffael. We walked around the Plaza de los Naranjos (which means Orange square), where the city hall and the park with the Virgen del Rocío bridge are located. We then arrived at Avenida del Mar (Sea Avenue) where 13 Dali statues were on show.

Walking past the residence and mosque of King Saud we then made our way to Puerto Banús, the exclusive harbour of the rich and famous.

The second full day was in Cordoba, the third most important city for the Muslims after Baghdad and Constantinople. Right in

the centre of the city is the most significant monument, the Mosque-Cathedral. As soon as you walk in, one is overwhelmed by this unique and sacred place in all directions. There are over a thousand marble and red and white granite columns which dominate the interior area. Located at the heart of the mosque is a gothic transept which has a main altar made out of marble. The Mihrab, an octagonal niche with a spherical dome carved with shell shapes represents the symbolic doorway, which blew us away. In the same place as the Miranet, you will also find the bell tower. Another treasure of Cordoba is the medieval synagogue from 1315 which is hidden in the complex labyrinth of narrow streets and patios of the Jewish quarters.

We also enjoyed a delicious meal that day at the “Las Palmeras del Caballo Rojo” restaurant. In the afternoon, we visited the oldest wine cellar of Andalusia, the Wine Cellar of Alvear en Montilla. After the guided tour we tasted the delicious wines.

The small town of Frigiliana is situated in the Axarquía region. Thanks to its mild climate, this mountainous area located in the East of Malaga is particularly known for its sweet wines, grapes matured under the sun and sugar canes. In Frigiliana, you can still find typical narrow streets and white houses decorated with flowers, symbolic characteristics of the region. After going up the steep hill, we enjoyed some breath taking views.

From the Balcony of Europe in Nerja, a viewpoint situated at the top of a cliff overlooking the sea, we also enjoyed some wonderful views of the diverse cost.

After a quick stop at the Benalmádena Puerto Marina we made our way to Mijas. During our walk through the picturesque narrow streets of the old town, we arrived at the Museum of Contemporary Art which holds an important exhibition or ceramic work made by Picasso.

There is a small chapel sculptured in the rocks dedicated to the Virgen de la Pena, the patron saint of Mijas. In the olden days, donkeys were used by the inhabitants of Mijas as a means as transport. Nowadays, the donkey taxis are a popular tourist attraction.

We hope that this solidary collaboration in a united Europe will continue for many more years and we will celebrate together the 25th

anniversary of this group.

Muito obrigada e Ate logo!

Ruth Rebert y Christa SaiaCordoba

Caves Alvear


P A G E 13

MEMORIES OF FUENGIROLA

POEM

From a certain height,As if from the seventh heaven…

Gone was the immensity,Replaced by a calming delight,

I could see eternal snow In the distant mountains.

Beautiful Golden beach,Ancient Paradise,

With the Sohail Castle,As a tangible guard,

From the rising and always luminous sun…

Fuengirola, White village.

Fuengirola, “the Andaluz”.Queen of light!

Today and yesterday,You still make us reignite.

Fuengirola of sensations,Dearest Fuengirola,Make our time here,

of enchanting moments,Affable memories

of undeniable friendship,As your gentle sea,

Of unique blue

To you, Fuengirola,A big thank you…

As we said Tirelessly,

To our neighbouring friends-our European cousins-.

Determined artisansOf applied afternoons.Wonderful companions

Of our happy time spent together…

You have made of us,In the past, present, Future and forever,

Happy birds from Paradise…

Fuengirola, 6th and 7th May, 2014.

Free translation of the poem “Souvenirs de Fuengirola” by Georges VALLADE

(French Delegation)

Soahil Castle

Welcome-drink in hotel

French Group

Closing dinner


P A G E 14

27th FRENCH NATIONAL FEDERATION CONFERENCE

The French Nat iona l Federation of Pensioners from Saving Banks held their 27th French Conference in Brive la Gaillarde, 16th-18th September 2014. An event in which Christian VERDIER, President of the Auverge Limousin region, invited us to attend, and under the presidency of Michel PAGEAULT, National President and member of the Delegate Board of our European Group.

The Bureau and the Board of Directors met on Thursday 16th to deal with the issues that concern the Federation: membership, medical insurance, pensions and the relationship with the pensioners from the cooperative banking societies.

Towards mid-afternoon, the 200 delegates were welcomed by the Deputy Mayor in the City Hall of Brive, where they were offered a welcome cocktail.

The General Assembly took place on Friday 17th, in which the delegates of the 18 French regions participated. These also represented the 6000 members of the Federation. In this Assembly, many different issues of current concern were debated.

To sum up this Conference, the Committee on Resolutions adopted five solutions that will act as the Federation’s roadmap of action during the year 2015.

1. Communication: Continuing forward with our goals to encourage new members to join our Federation thanks to a renewed, constant and non-stop communication.

2. The BPCE Insurance Company and the ASV Contract (health protection: Pensioners have a deep commitment to mutual insurance companies, but they ask that the rates evolve fairly, maintaining intergenerational solidarity as their foundation, therefore, we must oppose the drifts and business practises of insurers. They ask that the future contract of “dependence” that will be offered to them be affordable for everyone.

3. Relationships with Cooperative Bank Associations: Developing our relationships with Pensioner Associations from Cooperative Banking Institutions, as well as with our sponsor within the BPCE Group (Cooperative Banking Institutions and Saving Banks), because together, we represent 11000 pensioners.

4. Solidarity and national goals, in particular:

• Quick implementation of a law on “dependence”.

• Creation of tax credit on health contributions.

• Re-establishing the possibility to reduce pension taxes for retirees who have raised three children or more.

• Maintaining the purchasing power of our pensions.

5. Supporting the European Group, participating in its work, spreading its ideas and ensuring our presence in the Annual General Assemblies.

EUROPEAN GROUP

Whilst taking the floor on behalf of the European Group, I understood a clear message from our President, Cândido Vintém, who is now in Portugal. In this message, the President insists on the fact that we are a generation in charge of protecting the values that consolidate our societies. He considers that meetings among pensioners are important, as they encourage us to reflect as well as strengthen unity and friendship between us all.

Afterwards, I took a look at one of the reports from the 20th Euromeeting which took place in Fuengirola, near Málaga and I remembered the topic we debated in the Plenary Assembly: “An Age-Friendly Europe”. I then took a glance at the programme for the next Euromeeting which will be held in La Coruña, Galicia 17 – 24th April 2015. I hope that the participation will be just as supportive for the 7 member countries of the Group. Meanwhile, I would like to say that we have an imperative need to promote, wherever we are, an Age-friendly European Union, since today the union of Europeans is not an option, it is a vital necessity.

AGE PLATFORM

To conclude, I reminded everyone about our membership and participation in the work of AGE, European Platform for older and retired people, with the collaboration of 28 countries. The General Assembly will be held in Brussels, 2nd - 4th December and our President, Cândido Vintém, will be the spokesman of the conclusions made in the GET (Work and Study Group) meeting.

Jean Claude CHRETIENVice-President of the European Group

French Federation’s President



P A G E 15

E U R O M E E T I N G 2 0 1 5 – L A C O R U ñ A ( G A L I C I A ) 1 7 t h - 2 4 t h A P R I L

Our next Euromeeting will be held in the North West region of the Iberian Peninsula – Galicia. We are going to work and rest in La Coruña, in one of the most iconic hotels in all of Spain- Hotel María Pita.

After discovering the Moorish culture in Andalusia, this year we are heading to Galicia, probably the Spanish region which is most enriched with both Celtic and Iberian cultures. We will look forward to indulging our taste buds with the excellent gastronomy and to being dazzled by the traditional music, the leafy green landscape and the sea which can be just as beautiful as it can be treacherous. Religion will also be present in our programme as we will be staying in the land of the Apostle St. James.

As always, there will be a Board of Directors Meeting, a Delegate Meeting, a Work and Study Group Meeting (GET) in which a summary of the conclusions of the topic debated in Fuengirola (“Towards an Age-friendly European Union”) will be written and also a General Plenary Assembly, in which speeches from all countries will be presented and everyone will be able to express their opinion freely.

On the other hand, the touristic and cultural component of this year’s programme needs to be mentioned and emphasized. We will discover the city of La Coruña, where we will find the tower of Hercules (a World Heritage Site), several museums, its beautiful bay, the Domus and also María Pita (which is what our hotel is named after). After our Euromeeting

in Fuengirola, we will again come across Pablo Picasso, who also lived in this city.

The “Rías Altas” (The Northern coast) are one of the symbols of Galicia. We will have a trip there to get to know the beauty of not only its lands but also of the sea. In Ferrol, we will visit the district of Magdalena, one of the best examples of neoclassic style architecture, with modernist buildings. Afterwards, we will make our way to Cedeira, one of the most important fishing ports, where we will have lunch. Later on that day, we will visit San Andrés de Teixido, where a gothic-baroque style chapel awaits us. There is a legend about this chapel which goes “ quen non vai de vivo a Santo Andrés vai de morto, convertido en réptil “ which translates roughly as ‘he that does not go during his lifetime to San Andrés will go in the afterlife, reincarnated as a reptile’. Even if we do not believe in legends, it is best to go and contemplate this wonderful chapel…

Santiago de Compostela is one of those places where both Catholic and non-Catholic feel at ease. The cult of the Apostle can be felt everywhere and the arrival of groups of pilgrims is an unforgettable moment. We will visit the Cathedral, the Obradoiro Square, the narrow streets and the typical buildings of the city. This will be an unforgettable full day trip and I am letting you know now that during the meal there may be a surprise…

Betanzos (known as the “city of knights”, for being one of the main Galician medieval cities) was the city of residence of the Galician aristocracy. Its palaces, the 16th century clock tower and its walls will reveal its beauty to us.

In Pontedeume we will be able to walk through the medieval streets and see how the Andrade family (medieval Lords with great power in the Galician region) made this city be the most important point of the Galician region. On the day we have programmed the visit, there will be a traditional medieval fair and we will see the commercial practice of those times. Next, we will visit the Pazo Mariñan – declared to be of Historic-Artistic Heritage in 1972. In this “pazo” (typical Galician country house) its gardens are worthy of a visit and the wine it produces also deserves a special mention.”

Other surprises will be added to this programme preview in order to honour Galician tradition, culture and gastronomy.

With this early information we simply want you all to make a note on your calender the dates 17th - 24th April 2015 so that you may attend the XXIst Euromeeting and reunite with your friends from each of the different participating countries.

We look forward to seeing you in Galicia.

Cândido Vintém (President); Jean Claude Chrétien and

Francisco Ramírez Munuera (Vice-President)

La Coruña

La Coruña

We look forward to seeing you in La Coruña 2015 !

Viajes Transvia and Organization

Interpreters and their teacher Miguel Tolosa

Spanish Group

French Group

German Group

Portuguese Group

Closing dinner

Italian Group

Euroencontros inglês final

Documents

Transcript of Euroencontros inglês final