The group's task shall be to advise the Commission on the monitoring of demographic change and on the implementation of the policy guidelines set out in the Commission Communication of 12 October 2006 on the demographic future of Europe (COM(2006) 571).

More specifically, the group shall:

• assist the Commission in drawing conclusions from the research results, in identifying relevant data for the demography reports and in fostering exchanges of good practice for which the Demographic Forum will provide a platform. It shall take into account the results of the numerous actions and research projects undertaken by the European institutions on these subjects,

• enable the Member States to give their opinions on the broad responses required to meet the demographic challenge and on the specific initiatives resulting from the Communication of 12 October 2006 on the demographic future of Europe and its aftermath, in particular in the fields that are not already well covered by the existing committees and advisory groups,

• assist the Commission in preparing the future demography reports and in assessing the EU's state of preparation for demographic change (assessment to be included in the annual progress report on the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy),

• provide the opportunity for exchanges of experience and good practice in the field of family policy, and support efforts to improve the quality of life of persons with care responsibilities,

• solicit oral and written contributions from the social partners and civil society organisations.

The group’s Chair may indicate to the Commission when it would be advisable to consult the group on a specific question.