| Setting the Stage for 2009 - IFA's Annual Board Meeting |
13 -14 January in London, UK
 In January the IFA Directors met in London, England, as seen on the left for a two day board meeting to review the organisation's activities in 2008 including the IFA 9th Global Conference in Montreal and to explore priorities and key partnerships for the next 3 to 5 years. IFA is one of only four international NGOs in this field with a unique characteristic of membership from government, non-government, corporate, academia as well as individuals. Our workplan reflects the importance of 'connecting' the network of members through information and knowledge transference particularly in policy related fields. At the core of effective advocacy for better conditions and policy is evidence, partnerships, capacity, and the voices of older people. These are some of the elements of the strategic plan which will be made available to IFA members in due course.
In addition to our board meeting, IFA Directors and representatives from HelpAge International (HAI) met on the 16th January to discuss ways in which our organisations could work together toward common and agreed goals. We were delighted to have this opportunity to come together for the first time as interested and committed persons, all aiming for improved conditions for older people. IFA would like to acknowledge Richard Blewitt (CEO, HAI) and his team who worked with the IFA Secretariat to have such a successful meeting - may the spirit of cooperation and collaboration continue for years to come. |
| International Symposium on the Rights of Older People
Hosted by Age Concern England in London, UK
 On January 15, 2009, Age Concern England hosted an International Symposium on the Rights of Older People in London, in collaboration with HelpAge International and IFA. On the right, IFA International Vice-President Gordon Lishman delivers the opening remarks.
Key experts in the fields of ageing and rights shared their perspectives in this one day event, and IFA is pleased to provide access to five of the papers which were commissioned by ACE and presented at this symposium.
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| IFA's Capacity Building Workshop series in India
Workshops generate substantial Media and Government Interest
 The IFA was extremely proud to convene in conjunction with seniors organsations and service providers five workshops in India in January. The series of events marks a new way of working with organisations in India to help them have a voice on local or state issues. Our aim is to educate and be educated so that together and in partnership which can work to influence policies and programs.  The Secretary General Dr Jane Barratt made presentations and facilitated various workshop sessions in each of the five workshops which addressed specific issues in that city and surrounding community - the development of a regulatory body for institutional care for elders (Bangalore); Ageing in Place (Hyderabad); advocacy for the rights of older persons (New Delhi); asserting rights of older people (Mumbai). The media presence at each workshop was substantial, with the government from two states making special announcements. The IFA would like to specially acknowledge the efforts of Mr. K. R. Gangadharan (IFA Regional Vice-President, India) and our partners Heritage Hospital, Hyderabad, HelpAge, Delhi, Harmony for Silvers Foundation, Mumbai, Nightingales Medical Trust, Bangalore and Federations of Senior Citizens at Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, for planning and delivering such successful programmes. Publications resulting from the workshops are pending for future eNews editions. |
The 47th Session of the Commission for Social Development
Held at the United Nations from the 4th - 13th February 2009
The priority theme of this year's session was Social Integration. The Commission reaffirmed its position that social integration policies should seek to reduce inequalities, promote access to basic social services, education for all and health care, and increase the participation of all social groups.  At the close of its deliberations, the Commission adopted a resolution calling on Member States to continue their efforts in implementing the Madrid Plan of Action on Ageing and requesting that the UN Secretary-General to seek views from Member States regarding ways to improve its implementation. It also called on governments to adopt appropriate measures to promote and protect the rights of older persons. During the Session, IFA Board member Helen Hamlin presented a statement to the Commission delegates supporting the goal of social integration and pointing out that it is a multigenerational issue for the inclusion of all groups including older persons. |
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| Strengthening the Rights of Older Persons
Side Meeting - the Commission for Social Development, February 9
On the 9th of February, IFA, HelpAge International, and the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics co-hosted a well-attended and highly successful side event at the United Nations entitled 'Strengthening the Rights of Older People'. The purpose of this event was to bring together perspectives on the need for and processes toward developing a new human rights instrument to protect the rights of older persons.
A capacity audience of experts and stakeholders attended this meeting, which was moderated by Bridget Sleap of HelpAge International. Special acknowledgement goes to Dr Alex Kalache, Global Ambassador HelpAge International who worked tirelessly as a member of the steering committee and was unable to moderate the side meeting because of unavoidable travel delays.
Key presentations were made by:
- Irene Hoskins International Federation on Ageing
- Robert Butler ILC-USA
- Cesar Bonamigo Brazilian Mission to the UN
- Ron Risdon Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
- Jonathon Kaufman Disability Works
- Sergei Zelenev UN DESA
Collaboration and support for the side meeting was provided by the Mission of Brazil to the UN, the International Association of Home and Services for the Ageing, Age Concern England, Help the Aged, European Platform for Older People, ILC-USA, and AARP. |
Active Action on Ageing in Akita Japan
International Forum in October
FOIFA Japan and the IFA are now accepting registration for the upcoming International Forum on 'Ageing in Place and Age Friendly Cities', taking place in Akita Japan, October 11 and 12th 2009. There will also be a special site visit associated with this Forum that will take place on October 12th. Based around 3 themes - Models of Ageing in Place, Age Friendly Communities and Technology - this forum will be an opportunity for stakeholders from governments, academia, the private sector and civil society to come together in an interactive environment and share their experiences and knowledge. Registration forms are available here, and should be mailed, emailed, or faxed to the IFA Secretariat, care of Mr. Greg Shaw ( gshaw@ifa-fiv.org) - please note our new contact coordinates at the top of this communique. Recommended accommodation information is also available, here. We invite you to join us in Akita! |
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| The Age Friendly Communities Website
Sharing Stories, Sharing Knowledge
The IFA invites you to visit www.agefriendlycommunities.org, an online resource and connection point dedicated to major projects responding to Priority Direction III of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) - Ensuring Enabling and Supportive Environments. The website contains information portals for Age Friendly Initiatives, as well as the Healthy Cities Initiative, Partners for Livable Communities, the Flag of Towns and Cities for All.
The IFA continues to enhance this website with new content and new features added on a regular basis, and we invite you to check back regularly. We would like to thank the Public Health Agency of Canada for their valuable assistance and input, and also acknowledge other key stakeholders from around the world whose ideas are helping shape the development of this site. Please visit us online today. |
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Profiling a New IFA Member
The World Demographic Association
IFA is proud to welcome the World Demographic Association (WDA) as a new member. Based in St Gallen, Switzerland, WDA has a vision of creating an international, interdisciplinary, intergenerational and permanent platform for the discussion of demographic issues.
The WDA recognizes that demographic developments and intergenerational relationships are major issues today and will only grow with importance in the future as the global population expands. It is vitally important to improve cooperation amongst global stakeholders, as many demographic challenges can also be great opportunities. The WDA works to create a forum for dialogue on a  broad spectrum of issues through which sustainable solutions to demographic issues be developed. In September 2009, the WDA hosted the 5th World Ageing and Generations Congress, in St Gallen ( image on left). More details on this event will be available soon... Find out more about the World Demographic Association by visiting their website here.
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| NGO Statement on the Rights of Older Women
IFA Joins a Growing List of Signatories to a Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council
IFA has added its name to the list of those organizations calling upon the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to formally recognize the human rights of older women, and to support the work of Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to draft a General Recommendation on the Rights of Older Women.
There is clear evidence on the gendered nature of ageing - as very often women live longer than men - and the specificity of the condition of women in older age. The need for special attention is urgent, and IFA fully supports this initiative. The full statement can be read here. |
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Final Report of Senior Officials Meeting
Now Available Online
 The final report on the 2008 Seniors Officials Meeting on Ageing in Place - held 4 September in Montreal - is now available on the IFA website. You can access it here. This document contains a full summary of the outcomes of the meeting, including background and programming information, presentation summaries and speaker profiles. You will also find access PDF versions of many of the key presentations given at this event, at the end of the document.
While this publication may be a 'final' report, the knowledge-exchange around this important theme continues. Many of the ideas generated at this meeting will help inform the programme and discussion at the upcoming International Forum on 'Ageing in Place and Age Friendly Cities' in Akita, Japan. Please contact Mr. Greg Shaw at gshaw@ifa-fiv.org for more information about IFA's Senior Officials Meeting series. |
| Myfriends Online Week
A Special Event Highlighting the Connective Power of the Internet for Older People
Age Concern England is organising a number of initiatives in 2009 to encourage older people to get online and access the many cost-saving, wellbeing and social benefits of using technology that so many of us already enjoy. Currently in the UK, over nine million 55 plus year olds are excluded from using technologies and Age Concern aim to inspire and support many more older people to use technology.
 The next event is myfriends online week - an event to highlight the great opportunities for older people to make new friends and keep in touch with family at home and abroad. Age Concern is inviting international projects and organisations to participate in the event and help older people make contact with family living further away. A full resource pack with marketing posters, press releases and information guides makes it really easy to hold a local event for older people and to participate in myfriends online week. To particiapte, all that you need to do is register your interest online here and keep checking for updates! |
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SilverInnings presents: A Blog for Older People in India
India's Silver Innings launched a Blog in April 2008, dedicated to information for and about older people. Find it online here, and visit Silver Innings' main website at www.silverinnings.com |
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The Legacy for Older People in Hurricane Katrina
Decline in Health Reported Among Older Adults Affected by Hurricane Katrina
 A study conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has found that the health of survivors 65 and over declined nearly 4 times that of a national sample in the year following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
 'The enormous health burden experienced by older individuals and the disruptions in service utilization reveal the long-term effects of Hurricane Katrina on this vulnerable population,' said Jonathan Weiner, PhD, senior author of the study and director of the Bloomberg School's Program in Health Services Research and Policy. 'Although quick rebuilding of the provider network may have attenuated more severe health outcomes for this managed care population, new policies must be introduced to deal with the health consequences of a major disaster.' |
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We would like to thank everyone in Montreal who contributed to IFA over the last 15 years, and we look forward to making new friends and contacts in Toronto and beyond. While the organization will be in transition for the next several months, we will continue to be active and can be easily contacted, so please keep in touch! | |
IFA - eNews
