The Regional Secretariat for Social Solidarity, through the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity, and the National Coordination Team of the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations promote a meeting on Monday with the aim of collecting contributions for the White Paper on Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations.

The initiative will take place at the Angra do Heroísmo Cultural and Congress Centre from 9:30 AM to 5 PM; it is part of seven similar meetings held nationwide, including one in each Autonomous Region.

In addition to promoting an intergenerational dialogue, these meetings are also intended to identify the limits and challenges that today's world faces in the construction of a more cohesive society that is capable of fulfilling the rights of various generations.

Participants will also define local and national strategies that can provide a response to challenges of active ageing and solidarity between generations as well as identify practices with the potential of promoting a positive intergenerationality.

The event, which will be technically monitored by the Centre for Social Studies and Intervention (CESIS), counts on the participation of a diversified group of guests in terms of age, life path, personal and professional experience, civic participation, among other aspects.

The European Parliament and the European Commission have designated 2012 as the European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, providing an opportunity to reflect on the issues concerning ageing and the challenges brought by demographic change in the construction of fair and cohesive society for all generations.

The European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations was marked in the Azores by participation of nearly 75 public bodies of the regional public administration, Private Social Solidarity Institutions, "Santas Casa da Misericórdia," voluntary associations, University of the Azores, nursing schools and companies.