11/10/1999 (Agence Europe) -

How to guarantee that the elderly and/or the disabled can integrate the labour market?

How to combat discrimination against them?

How to promote the United Nations international year for older persons?

These are just a few of the questions discussed at the conference organised on 5 and 6 October in Helsinki by the Finnish EU Council Presidency, on the theme "Independent Living of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities".

According to Finnish Minister for Social Affairs and Health Eva Biaudet, the solution consists in "managing the services network".

Director-General at DGV (Employment) at the European Commission Allan Larsson believes "the challenge here is how the funds of the EU Member States could be used appropriately and efficiently" (usually unemployment aid) to help such people live independent lives.

"EUROPE" - N° 7570 (n.s.) - Monday/Tuesday 11/12 October 1999