Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 19 September (BelTA) - A strategy of active longevity will be developed in Belarus, Belarus’ Labor and Social Security Minister Irina Kostevich told the media in Minsk on 19 September, BelTA has learned.

According to the minister, the aging of the population is a serious challenge facing all countries now. Following international criteria, the population is considered old if the percentage of people aged 65 and over is 7% or more. In Belarus, this figure exceeds 14%. By 2030 it is projected to increase to 20%. "Our task is to promote the strategy of active longevity. We are developing a document that will outline the priority areas of active longevity in Belarus. We must ensure high quality of life after retirement," Irina Kostevich said.

The heads of the territorial social services centers gathered in Minsk on 19 September to discuss the role of territorial centers in solving social problems. Such a big event is being held for the first time. "The participants will take stock of the work of the territorial centers, review the experience of the regions in working with vulnerable sectors of the population, and define the areas and ways to improve the social service system," the minister noted.

Irina Kostevich also said that a comprehensive work on the provision of social services has been carried out in Belarus since 2004. The country has already achieved a lot. There are 146 territorial social services centers. "Social workers have been providing all the necessary services to senior citizens, people in a difficult life situation, disabled people, large families and families with underage children through the system of territorial centers for 14 years. We have gained a wealth of experience. There is a set of basic social services that such centers are obliged to provide to citizens. But many regions have gone further and started applying innovative methods in working with such category of the population. Today we will have an opportunity to discuss what we have achieved for the past 14 years and to identify major areas of work in the future,” the minister said.