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The Participation of Senior Citizens in Policy-Making: Patterning Initiatives in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Roberto Falanga

    (Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade de Lisboa, 1600-189 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Andreas Cebulla

    (Australian Industrial Transformation Institute, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia)

  • Andrea Principi

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Marco Socci

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Aging, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

Worldwide, active aging policy calls for greater participation of senior citizens in the social, economic, and political realms. Despite emerging evidence of initiatives engaging senior citizens in social activities, little is known about the use of participatory approaches in the design and/or implementation of policies that matter to older citizens. This article identifies initiatives facilitating the civic participation of older people in policy-making in European Union member and associate states, drawing on a review of the literature, consultation of national policy experts, and exemplary case studies. Four main patterns of senior civic participation are identified: adopting consultative or co-decisional participatory approaches in policy design or policy implementation. The four are represented to varying degrees at different geographical levels (national, regional, local), with different actor configurations (appointed, elected/nominated, corporate representation), and with varying degree of institutionalization (temporary/permanent). Case studies illustrate approaches taken to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public services for senior citizens. Future research should strengthen this line of enquiry to cast further light on conditions facilitating the civic participation of senior citizens.

Suggested Citation

  • Roberto Falanga & Andreas Cebulla & Andrea Principi & Marco Socci, 2020. "The Participation of Senior Citizens in Policy-Making: Patterning Initiatives in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2020:i:1:p:34-:d:466818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aleksej Bukov & Ineke Maas & Thomas Lampert, 2002. "Social Participation in Very Old Age," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(6), pages 510-517.
    2. Sirven, Nicolas & Debrand, Thierry, 2008. "Social participation and healthy ageing: An international comparison using SHARE data," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(12), pages 2017-2026, December.
    3. Jaap Oude Mulders, 2019. "Employers’ age-related norms, stereotypes and ageist preferences in employment," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 41(5), pages 523-534, December.
    4. Sidorenko, Alexandre, 2012. "Participation of older persons in political and public life," Coediciones, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL), number 1486, September.
    5. Carol Hayden & John Benington, 2000. "The Modernisation and Importance of Government and Public Services: Multi-Level Networked Governance—Reflections from the Better Government for Older People Programme," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(2), pages 27-34, April.
    6. Andrea Principi & Henrike Galenkamp & Roberta Papa & Marco Socci & Bianca Suanet & Andrea Schmidt & Katharine Schulmann & Stella Golinowska & Agnieszka Sowa & Amilcar Moreira & Dorly J. H. Deeg, 2016. "Do predictors of volunteering in older age differ by health status?," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 13(2), pages 91-102, June.
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    1. Francesco Barbabella & Eralba Cela & Marco Socci & Davide Lucantoni & Marina Zannella & Andrea Principi, 2022. "Active Ageing in Italy: A Systematic Review of National and Regional Policies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-25, January.

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