This document discusses the roles and responsibilities of DaneAge, a non-profit membership organization in Denmark that advocates for older people. It notes that DaneAge has over 600,000 members, runs local activities, and lobbies politically on issues like home care and nursing home quality. The CEO argues that DaneAge acts independently on behalf of its members to promote policies supporting older people during economic difficulties, and ensures it remains vigilant against potential threats to welfare programs.

1. IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing
NGO’s and their roles and
responsibilities in an ageing world
Promoting action for older people’s
well being in a highly developed
country based on the social
welfare model
Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

2. DaneAge - briefly
• DaneAge is a not-for-profit, direct-membership
organization
• 610,000 members; 30 % of all Danes 50+ are members
• Independent, non-partisan
• 217 local chapters across Denmark
• 12,000 volunteers doing social work, providing local
membership activities, local advocacy, etc.
• Membership fees account for ¾ of the income
• The mission of DaneAge is to fight for a society in
which all can live long and good lives:
– the person is more important than the person’s age
– it is possible to live and to grow on your own terms
– support and care are available for those who need it
2 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

3. What we offer our members
and society
• Communication of knowledge and
attitudes toward politicians and society
• Help, support, care, presence
• Tools and skills
• Activities, forums, networks and
experiences
• Membership benefits
3 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

4. More than 60,000 local activities
• Exercise
• Education
• Travel / excursions
• Culture
• Cooking courses and bridge
• Language courses
• Dance classes
• - and much more
4 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

5. Political results
• Commission on Elderly Affairs: Quality of Life in a nursing home
• Commission on Home Care
• Court proceedings – local authorities illegally reduce the amount
of home care
• Senior benefit allowance
• Free influenza vaccine
• The right to choose a nursing home and to bring your spouse
• Reintroduction of the survivor's pension
• Holiday pay without early retirement reductions
• Rights instead of charity
• Prevention of cuts in housing benefit
• Restricted welfare reform
5 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

6. Is DaneAge independent from government?
Does DaneAge act on behalf of older people?
• We can not levy taxes – we are
obligated to our members and must
therefore live up to their trust
• We should hit the mark, be aware of
members' wishes, dreams, expectations
and concerns
• We must think from the “outside in”
• We must stay abreast of future
developments
6 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

7. Is DaneAge independent from government?
Does DaneAge act on behalf of older people?
• A certain number of members is needed
in order to be heard by politicians
• Members = resources for our work
• A lot of members provide access to
more knowledge and more inspiration
• Finally – members represent our market
value – it reflects public satisfaction
with our performance and results
7 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

8. Is DaneAge independent from government?
Does DaneAge act on behalf of older people?
• Membership renewals are “scarily high”
– 96%
• Three out of four members are satisfied
or very satisfied
8 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

9. Is the current economic crisis a
threat or an opportunity to NGO’s
• The pessimists are leading the way and are
talking down the economy
• ”Everybody” talks about, how we cannot afford
welfare
• We forget the principles and the ideas behind
the universal welfare model
• Older people are sometimes portrayed ​as “rich
and spoiled” in the public debate
• DaneAge is focused on the frail elderly's
situation
9 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

10. Actual and potential political threats
• Local authorities will continue to downsize
quoting the economic crisis and budget
accountability
• User fees are imposed on practical home help
• A tax reform which completely ignores
pensioners
• Indexation of state pensions
• Additional income modulation of state pensions
• Enforced online communication with the public
sector
10 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

11. That’s why we are on high alert
11 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO

12. • We must sleep with a gun under the
pillow - cocked and ready to fire
12 23 July 2012 IFA 11th Global Conference on Ageing - Bjarne Hastrup, CEO