EuroparlTV went to Eindhoven to meet the participants of a debate on the aging EU population, ahead of the European Year of Active Aging in 2012.

Close to you: Active aging in the Netherlands

In 15 years, one in three  will be over 65 in Europe.

2012 is the European Year  for Active Aging.

The EP Information Office  in the Netherlands

has kicked off the debate  at the University of Eindhoven.

I'm 56 and I've been unemployed  for five months.

I had a catering job.  I worked in the canteen of a company.

I am looking for a job,  but it's not easy.

Like Lenie, more than half of over-55s  are unemployed in the Netherlands.

They find that age is sometimes  grounds for discrimination.

the clearer it becomes  that age is a very important factor.

Senior citizens on the job market  was a topic tackled

during the debate organised  by the EP Information Office.

Among the guests is Peter Lammerschop  who works for the Dutch bank ABN AMRO.

He trains and advises employees who have  lost or who will lose their jobs at the bank.

People of 55 and over don't earn  much more than people of 45 and over.

They do make more than young people,  because that's the way salaries work.

Young people are ill more often, whereas  older people tend to be ill for longer periods.

But the difference is not as big  as you would think.

And yet, here in the Netherlands  like in most EU countries,

the social security system  could be in danger,

especially if over-50s  do not get back onto the job market.

Now to Utrecht to meet Régine Matthijsen.  At 68, she is a symbol of active aging.

Before taking retirement eight years ago,  she worked for a large Dutch multinational.

Active ageing to us means  'remain active after your retirement,

or from a certain age on, to participate  on the labour market as long as you can

but also to participate in our society  according to your expertise,

to your intellect, to your interests  and remain active.'

There's a beautiful Dutch saying:  'Don't sit behind the geraniums and get old.'

that defends the right  of senior citizens to a pension.

My children ask, 'When are you going  to stop and have some time for us?'

It's a good question,  I don't know, we'll see.

As long as my grey cells allow me  to participate

and be active, cooperative  and creative.

Régine Matthijsen has also followed  the debate on active aging in Eindhoven,

led by experts and by the Dutch MEPs  Toine Manders and Lambert van Nistelrooij.

The EU can do a lot to put things on  the agenda as this is not a Dutch problem.

There are specific European programmes:  regional, cooperation programmes,

there are research programmes that look  at how the services can be more specific

for these kinds of questions  in the regions,

city projects, social  and innovation projects...

The debate on active aging  will continue throughout 2012.

You can find more information  on the Year of Active Aging in 2012

The EP's Information Office in the Hague  suggests the following event:

You can also contact the Parliament's  Information Office in your country.