New technologies: A response to the ageing of society
On 3 December 1996, the European Parliament's Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy held a colloquium to debate issues relating to the ageing of European society and the potential role of new technologies in responding to the changing needs of society. Among the challenges facing Europe are the problems raised by the changing ratio between the working and the non-working population. This implies, among other things, an increase in demands on health and social service budgets at a time when social security systems in all Member States are already under pressure. In this context, care for the elderly becomes part of a debate on family values and policy and opens up prospects for the provision of new services. The ageing of European society offers industry an important opportunity for developing and delivering new products, based on R&D, for the ageing European market. The Committee believes that enhancing research efforts and technological development, and promoting the diffusion of best practices, in this area should be an important element in the Fifth RTD Framework Programme, currently under preparation. It underlines that action in this area could bring Europe closer to its citizens and strengthen solidarity whilst, at the same time, contributing towards wealth generation and job creation.