This international symposium provides a timely opportunity to discuss the different ways active ageing can be encouraged to ensure that older people remain productive members of society. The symposium will explore practical solutions to some of the issues associated with an ageing population in Europe. The European Union has a key role to play in areas such as employment, social protection and inclusion, public health and transport, but the primary role is for national, regional and local governments, as well as civil society and the social partners to adopt clear frameworks to promote active ageing.