Dear Sirs,

I would like to extend a warm welcome to all participants of today's conference "Councils of Senior Citizens - Partnership with Local Governments". I regret that I can not fulfill a nice duty and personally pass on to the organizers and invited guests words of thanks for taking up an important topic, which are the changes in our society. For many years we have been observing a demographic decline in the country, and at the same time a growing group of senior citizens. A group of - I strongly emphasize - people who are young in spirit and still active, from whom younger generations can still learn a lot.

Changes should take place not only in the perception of seniors, but primarily in such areas as health care, prevention, social care, access to culture and education. However, in order to meet the challenges, an integrated cooperation of many entities is needed - state and local government institutions, representatives of cultural and scientific communities, associations and NGOs. All activities undertaken at the local level are very important, because they respond to the current problems of the inhabitants and the specificity of the region. Hence the significant and very important role of senior citizens' councils, which on the one hand can perfectly identify the needs of the elderly and on the other hand can define the capabilities of local governments.

I wish you interesting deliberations. I trust that today's discussion will result in proposals for many solutions to serve people in the autumn of life, and will also be the basis for undertaking further important social tasks.

My sincere greetings and best regards to you.

   Marek Kuchciński