Human rights and senior citizens

Human rights are one of the focal points of modern Europe and are based on the heritage of its democratic values. Existing rights need to be protected, as they are a defender of civilization and a beacon of hope. In the European Union and beyond various groups, as well as legitimately elected authorities, strive to reduce the importance of some acquired basic human rights, or in the name of the “national interest”, even to abolish them. Such attacks and threats need to be carefully considered and a clear commitment made to respect and further improvement of human rights.

As a part of international discussions on the topic: “Human Rights in the 21^st Century”, we are preparing an online round table in Slovenia titled “Human rights and senior citizens”.

Elderly are all too often marginalised. As a society, we should be more tentative of their needs. The health situation with the Covid19 virus has only exacerbated and worsened this problem. Once again it has become clear that we need to pay closer attention to the challenges that come with an aging society.

The focus of the conversation will be: active life of the senior citizens, the types and methods of their accommodation, medical care and a decent life for the elderly.

The round table is going to be moderated by a journalist Nataša Briški and will take place
online, starting at 6 p.m. (CET).

Sebastjan Pikl | Institute Novum

Mr. Pikl is one of the founders and director of Institute NOVUM, an institute for strategic and applicable research that deals with policy analysis, visual media, and public relations. He has also served as an advisor for various communications projects, including the campaign for president of Republic of Slovenia Dr. Danilo Türk in 2007 and several liberal political parties. Mr. Pikl is a philosopher and political scientist by training, with special interests in the field of psychoanalysis, policy analysis and history of Mediterranean region.

Šárka Prát | Member of the ELF board of directors

Šárka Prát is the director of the Institute for Politics and Society.Šárka covers transatlantic, economic and migration issues. She holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D.), engineer degree (Ing.) and master degree (MBA) from University of Economics in Prague. She holds a master degree (MA) from the Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3. In 2020 Šárka was elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the European Liberal Forum, think tank of the ALDE Party.

Janez Cigler Kralj | Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities

Janez Cigler Kralj is Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of the Republic of Slovenia. He holds a master’s degree in political sciences from the Faculty of Social Sciences at University of Ljubljana. Prior to his political career he worked for a media company and the national scholarship fund. Between 2012 and 2020, he worked as a senior advisor for the political group of Nova Slovenija – Christian democrats (NSi) in the national assembly. He also presided the NSi employee association. A father of four, he is a former scout leader and active in several associations.

Peter Svetina | Ombudsman, Republic of Slovenia

Peter Svetina is a special educator, specialised in learning disabilities, and a social entrepreneur. He has devoted his entire career to social care, education, and charitable, voluntary and disability rights organisations. He helped to found and ran the unit for young disabled persons at the Mengeš Rest Home and for seven years worked with Lebenshilfe in Carinthia, Austria. After returning to Slovenia he was a director at INCE Mengeš, an Occupational Activity Centre. After this he headed the Karso Employment Centre for the disabled in Pivka and Grunt, an Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas. In February 2019 he was elected Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia.

Hans Winberg is a researcher with a practical twist from the Stockholm School of Economics. He has a long experience of healthcare and life science both as a researcher, different leading positions at the SSE Executive Education and as the driving force creating the Academic Think Tank Leading Health Care. Passionate about transforming organisation and leadership in the life sector.

Strategic communications adviser and social media expert, co-founder and Editor-In-Chief of digital media network Meta’s list. Journalist by profession, with strong media credentials and 25 years of experience working for various media – local, national and international. Former foreign affairs correspondent, based in Washington D.C., a correspondent for BBC World Report and POP TV anchorwoman.
Natasha is also a member of The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia Special Council, a member of an Expert Council on Gender Equality, founded by Slovenian Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, and a member of a Commission on Equal opportunities, an advisory board for Slovenian Ministry of Education, Science and Sport.

This event is organised by the European Liberal Forum asbl with the support of Institute Novum.
Co-funded by the European Parliament. Neither the European Parliament nor the European Liberal Forum asbl are responsible for the content of this event or for any use that may be made of it.
The views expressed herein are those of the speaker(s) alone. These views do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament and/ or the European Liberal Forum asbl.