Targeting the Impacts of the Demographic Change

The demographic change has to be actively shaped. Commencing 2015 until 2017, Caritas will be focusing on its demography initiative. Topics dealing with family, migration and generations are to be discussed from this point of view.

Together with our nationwide network of mediators, we at Caritas deal with these challenges and develop alternative models. We collect new and valuable ideas and provide feedback to the Caritas Association, to politics and to the general public. The responsibility for their implementation lies with the local Caritas groups and associations which, in turn, are supported by us.

Our goal is to start a demographic turnaround

At Caritas, we support:

• Social security systems which are independent of demographic change
• Safeguards against poverty in old age
• The participation of young people
• A healthcare system in the countryside which is well prepared for the future
• The maintenance of mobility in the countryside
• Affordable housing in downtown areas
• The recruitment and professional education of skilled employees
• Attractive possibilities to get involved

Some examples of changes and our suggestions

We become fewer and fewer

It is a fact that more people in Germany die than are being born. Additionally, there is a trend to move from the countryside to urban areas and from the East to the West.

• No grandchildren in the neighbourhood?
  Volunteer centres arrange partnerships with young families.
• Couples want children!
  Family-friendly working conditions and flexible childcare needs to be created.
• Lost in an oversized apartment?
  New living arrangements are needed.
• Urgently requesting skilled professionals – also in the field of caregiving!
  Offering qualifications and training to disadvantaged young people.
• Who takes care of me in old age?
  Establishing new networks of caregiving professionals and volunteers.

We are getting older and older

In just 10 years' time, half of the population of Germany will be over the age of 47 – as far as Eastern Germany is concerned, half will be over the age of 53.

• Where does this leave us, Germany’s youth?
  Despite there being fewer of us, we need sustainable decisions for our future.
• We don’t have a say regarding important issues!
  New ways of public participation are needed.
• Old and young do not have a great deal in common, do they?
  Homes for many generations under one roof and other meeting points need to be established.

We are becoming more diverse

This comes as a result of an increase in the number of immigrants and of more individual ways of living, as can be seen in the rise of single-person households.

• Quite at a loss upon arriving as a refugee?
  Volunteering mentors can show the way.
• Having witnessed the exclusion of individuals?
  Show solidarity!
• "The older generation leaves us with nothing but debts!”
  Let’s initiate discussion between the generations about sustainability.
• A decrease in the availability of public transport?
  Establish a transport service for both the young and old which is run by volunteers.

Join the discussion and become an active partner!

Organisations and local communities, associations and companies, parishes and many citizens are locally involved. They are creative and in uniting their strength they develop innovative approaches.

All of us together - we are the village, we are the town. Changes concern all of us. United we can transform society!