Stuttgart Pact of Generations for an active living together of old and young

1. Stuttgart Pact of Generations for an active living together of oldand young

2. We see our City as a community of old and young, of healthy and sick, of German and non-German citizens. In our urban community, we are daily experiencing a variety of changes in our living together in families, amongst friends and acquaintances, in our working environment and in our day-to-day lives. The momentum of these changes is essentially a consequence of four major challenges • demographic change, • globalisation, • technological development, • change in shared common values. We want to face these challenges through the 15 objectives of the Stuttgart Pact of Generations.

3. 1. We want to satisfy the needs of children and young people, of families and single parents more effectively through a child-friendly urban society by consistently implementing the five tasks set forth in the action plan Stuttgart - City for Children. Goals: 1. In Stuttgart, each child has access to education and support for a fair chance in the future. 2. In Stuttgart, there is enough housing for our children and space for outdoor play. 3. In Stuttgart, the best possible health care and safety measures for our children are in place. 4. In Stuttgart, the compatibility of family and profession – children and career is a reality. 5. A new local “Pact of Generations” facilitates interactions between old and young.

4. 2. We want to do more than merely tolerate the small minority of families with children in our city. We also want to respect and support them in the housing provided for them, in their neighbourhoods, in public life and in our urban society. 3. We want to show concern for the personal needs ofolder citizens, whether of German or foreign origin, and support them through education, counselling and assistance in their daily lives so as to permit them to live their lives autonomously for as long as they can in asafe and secure living environment.

5. 4. We want to learn the needs and expectations of senior citizens, children and families in their variety, in their conflicting and shared goals and to pass this information on centrally and de-centrally to our City districts through the existing organisations providing counselling, education and support. 5. With existing and new facilities and non-profit organisations, such as "multi-generation houses", social and community centres, sports clubs, gardening and environmental associations, cultural societies, schools and church communities, we want to create a variety of "contact bourses" to make it easier to meet new people spanning generations, and to promote personal sponsorships.

6. 6. We want to promote the creation of new networks of initiatives and self-help both as regards organisation and material needs where older people can contribute their experience, their skills and know-how. 7. We want to create opportunities for personal contacts and sponsorships through networks in our City districts provided by our district offices to encourage the different generations to meet one another in their neighbourhoods.

7. 8. We want to encourage training for lifelong learning, beginning in kindergarten, in schools, universities, libraries, in professional training as well as cultural education, in order to promote the necessary mental agility of young and old, and permit them to learn from one another and with one another. 9. We want every youngster to have a fair chance to develop his or her talents and acquire appropriate professional qualifications. We want to provide support in their endeavours to acquire good professional prospects.

8. 10. We want young people to enjoy the personal assistance of older citizens to strengthen their confidence in their own future and their role in our urban society. 11. We want to achieve a more effective work/life balance through a more family-friendly working world, to make it easier, especially for young women, to combine having children with a career.

9. 12. We want to persuade enterprises to refrain from dismissing older employees prematurely so that their skills and experience can be better utilised for our economic development. 13. We want the sustainable development of our city to contribute as far as possible to preserving the natural bases of our life for coming generations and to eliminate damage to the environment.

10. 14. We want to avoid the “clash of generations”, the threat of strife between young and old for material resources, public subsidies and services, by supporting a balanced and fair expenditure policy and through the consistent reduction of debts. 15. We want to make it clear with many good examples, that every individual - whether young or old - stands to benefit personally and to enrich his or her own life if they are involved in the service of other people - whether old or young.