On 22^nd July 2010 a national workshop within the DENS (Different Experiences – New Solutions) project took place in Prague. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss concepts of flexicurity and active ageing and analyse the current situation of both topics in Czech Republic. Representatives of Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, universities, City of Prague, students, executive directors of retirement homes and social NGOs attended the workshop.

The presentations and discussion outlined the key challenges which the Czech Republic faces on the areas of flexicurity and active ageing. The participants agreed that most problems related to flexicurity in Czech Republic are related to the current system of unemployment benefits. The unemployed are often very satisfied with the benefits and lack motivation for finding a new job, while misusing of the benefits is also a problem. The participants proposed that a modification (which doesn’t mean lower protection) of current system is required and the benefits should be conditioned by the activity of the unemployed. Another problem which causes the insufficient security of the workers is significant number of terminations of the employment after the probation period. For improvements, a more active role of the national government is required and innovative legal proposals are needed.

In the area of active ageing the participants have identified severe shortcomings in Czech Republic’s national strategy for active ageing as they have described it as generally weak and misleading. Recent changes in technology which have an impact on private as well as professional live have caused that older people often feel pushed aside and lost in modern world. Programmes are required which will raise the motivation of older people for increased participation in modern society. Further, an effective system of life-long initiatives and learning programmes is required in order to help older people keep up the pace with technological and other changes.

Conclusions of the workshop
State of the art report