The event's main speakers include Germany's minister for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth Kristina Schröder as well as the Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich and Allianz CEO Michael Diekmann.
We are getting old
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Quo vadis young and old? A call to policy makers, business leaders and researchers
"Demographic change presents us with a unique opportunity: a shortage of qualified workers means that economic interests and social policy challenges will largely overlap," Schröder told the nearly 200 participants. "It will be up to us to leverage this potential – whether it means helping people fulfil their dream of having children, making the workplace more friendly or enable senior citizens to continue to take part in society."
German Family Minister Kristina Schröder: "Demographic change means a huge opportunity for our society."
For Allianz CEO Michael Diekmann easing the burden of the younger generation heads the list of concerns. "If the rising generation won't do their part because they feel the task is too big for them, I can't imagine how Germany will be able to tackle its demographic challenges," he said.
Diekmann pleaded for various measures for Germany. These included expanding the school day and a mandatory year of social work for young adults. He also spoke out for the change of Germany's pay-as-you-go social system to a capital cover system, improved quality for ambulant and stationary care and policies that would encourage more immigration into the country.
With the Berlin Demography Forum its initiators have established a dialogue platform to promote an interdisciplinary exchange between policy makers, business leaders and researchers. This enables a more thorough examination of demographic change and the issues surrounding it.
Michael Diekmann: "The highest priority is to ease the burden of the younger generation is the top priority."
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