Europe stands at a decisive moment as its demographic landscape undergoes rapid change. By 2050 almost one in three Europeans will be over 65, amounting to more than 134.5 million people.
To address this transformation and its impact on health and social systems, economies, and the very fabric of our societies and democracies the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) host a thematic conference on 9 December 2025 in Strasbourg.
Rethinking care systems and turning standards into action
Questions about how care systems are designed, how human and financial resources are invested, and how solidarity between generations is sustained are at the heart of the discussions.
"For the Council of Europe, the response lies at the heart of its mission - the protection of human rights and the principle that no one should be left behind." said Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe, in his opening remarks.
Through instruments such as the European Social Charter and its article 23, which calls for the protection and participation of older persons, and through the European Court of Human Rights case-law, ensuring dignity and care are never compromised, the Council of Europe provides a strong legal and policy foundation. This work is reinforced by intergovernmental committees, the Steering Committee for human rights, the Parliamentary Assembly, and the Congress, which address inclusion, equality and health in an integrated way.
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) complements this mission by translating standards into concrete action. It finances projects in priority areas such as health and social care infrastructure, affordable housing, inclusion programmes for persons with disabilities, and access to education and employment.
"Since 1956, the CEB has been a catalyst for positive change, financing projects that transform lives, strengthen communities, and open doors to essential services," said Tomáš Boček, vice-governor for target group countries at the CEB. "We've modernised care facilities, expanded community-based services, improved long-term care systems, and supported independent living through better housing and accessible infrastructure. These efforts prove that when investment is smart, targeted, and rooted in local participation, it can transform not just individual care settings, but entire systems," he added.
Building care systems that reflect European values
By combining policy guidance, local engagement and financial support, the Council of Europe and the CEB aim to ensure that care for older persons across Europe is not only high-quality but also inclusive, resilient and built to last.
Today's discussions build on broader international commitments, including the Doha Political Declaration adopted during the second World Summit for social development in November 2025, which reaffirmed that health and social protection are fundamental rights essential for human dignity and development.
This conference also aligns with the Council of Europe's New Democratic Pact for Europe, reminding us that the quality of care, inclusiveness of systems, and fairness of policies are central to the vitality of democracies. It connects with the upcoming Conference on social rights (18-19 March 2026, Chisinau, under the Moldovan Presidency), which will provide a platform to reaffirm commitments, assess progress on Charter reform, and address emerging social challenges.
Throughout the day, participants will advance this vision of care systems that reflect the values we stand for, by bringing together policy, legal and financing perspectives, identifying tools available, and offering practical pathways to turn commitments into action.
New Democratic Pact for Europe
Moldova's Presidency of the Committee of Ministers
