The main topic for the 21st Euromeeting of the European Group of Pensioners from Savings Banks and Financial Institutions in La Coruña was:
"Social poverty reduction and job creation."
Participants from the different European countries exchanged their opinions during lively discussions about this topic. We still have to discuss between the different European countries about social gaps, whether in the sanitary policy, in the pensions system, in the housing sector, in the labour market, in poverty in old age or in education.
- The sanitary policy’s limelight should be the promotion of health and the prevention of diseases instead of their treatment. - In order to ensure enough pensions entitlements, binding wage ceilings are required and the worse paid sector should be reduced. - Thanks to an adapted and affordable house and a healthy environment, there are fewer families forced to move to other deprived areas with worse living standards. - Older people should have an easier access to labour market. Specific funding instruments are needed for people with immigrant background and long-term unemployed people. - In order to reduce a future poverty in old age, the preventions measures have to be improved. One’s future participation or exclusion within the society will depend on education. Deep changes are coming especially in the digital age. That is the reason why education and training of all generations must have the top priority in order to foster professionals and young workers exchange inside Europe. Our greatest wish is to keep solidarity between European nations for allowing a happy future to everybody.
The beautiful trips around Galicia, the green country of Europe, with its huge “rías”, the delicious fish specialities and its own language have been unique experiences.
We visited the historic city centre with Amante from A Coruña to the Santa María del Campo church, Las Bárbaras square and San Carlos park, we went to the bay along the “ría” of La Coruña and we saw the Tower of Hercules.
We also went to Pontedeume and Pazo de Mariñan during other half-day trips, as well as to Betanzos and Lugo. In Pontedeume we visited the Andrade tower, the great Jacob’s church and the medieval Rúa. The many glazed galleries at the front of the houses shone in the sun like crystals. The old Pazo de Mariñan, with its beautiful rose gardens and the shrubs cut with a floral motifs shape and flags, is a building protected by the historical monument proclamation.
The city of Lugo is completely rounded by a 1000 years old wall with 85 towers. It has been declared as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. We visited the Santa María square with the bishop’s palace, the Nuestra Señora de los Ojos Grandes chapel, Plaza del Campo and the city council. We found houses with pointed roofs everywhere, built to protect the inhabitants from witches and evil spirits.
In Galicia we found many wonderful “Indian houses”. Former Galician emigrants came back from South America, popularly known as “Indians”, who built their houses following the South American colonial style. Heading to the San Andrés de Teixido chapel, we crossed an enchanted landscape with wild horses and amazing views of the cliffs. Inside the chapel, we could see how each pilgrim was leaving a stone on the path as a memento. In the fishing village of Cedeira, we enjoyed the Galician food in the restaurant Badulaque.
The highlight of this eventful week was Santiago de Compostela, with its wonderful cathedral and its restored historical city centre, its narrow and old small streets, and its wonderful buildings.
The big surprise from Cândido Vintém was the welcome and the feast in the Pazo de Vista Alegre mansion. A little orchestra received us with the traditional Galician bagpipe music. They spoilt us with culinary delights and we had dinner as kings. During these harmonious hours, each group of countries sang a typical folkloric tune.
The German group looks back to an eventful week and wants to thank for the warm hospitality from all the organizers, from Cândido Vintém and Alicia, from Santiago Viajes Transvia and from the interpreters team.
With joy in our hearts, we are waiting for the next Euromeeting (perhaps in the Tuscany).
Ruth Rebert
