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 IFA - eNews
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The Count-Down to Akita
- The International Forum is just weeks away! -
It is only a matter of a weeks before experts in the fields ageing-in-place and age friendly cities, and many other interested persons from well over a dozen countries will be gathering together, enjoying the hospitality of Akita City and engaging in intellectual stimulation of the outstanding forum programme. And best of all, there are still limited places available if you would like to attend. Time for registration is of the essence, so please visit us online today if you are still interested in attending.
The programme for Akita will be a mix of presentations in the form of plenary panels, round table discussions and concurrent workshops. We offer two examples of what interesting information you can expect at this forum:
Evaluation Morbidity Profile among Community-dwelling Elderly in India and Awareness and Attitude towards usage of assistive devices by Alakananda Banerjee (India): Dr. Banerjee, a physiotherapist and rehabilitation expert, will share her knowledge on the challenges of health care in both urban and rural India, with an emphasis on the need for assistive technology for the elderly in developing countries.
Age-friendly cities: From the framework of broader public health
by Yasuhiro Suzuki (Japan): This presentation will focus on the social systems and infrastructures ranging from health to employment, that are in place in Japan as that country prepares to face the challenges of a fast growing ageing population.
These and many other contemporary subjects will be covered at the Akita forum, and delegates should prepare themselves for some outstanding presentations. For our readers who are unable to attend, don't worry!...We will be bringing you a full conference summary in future editions of IFA eNews. Also, keep in mind that IFA's Annual Meeting will be taking place on October 9th in Akita to correspond with the forum. We will be bringing you news of the outcomes of this event as well!
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Mark Your Calendars!
October 1 will be the 19th International Day of Older Persons
The 19th annual International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) will be held on October 1st, and this year will coincide with the 10 year anniversary of the International Year of Older Persons. The IDOP is an opportunity to focus on the achievements, issues and concerns of older persons from around the world. The IFA will join with many people, groups, and organizations from around the world in participating in cultural events, symposia, lectures and other events for the purpose of increasing interest in the issues of older persons.
The General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons by resolution 45/106 of 14 December 1990, following up on initiatives such as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the General Assembly. In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons (resolution 46/91). In 2002, the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to respond to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society for all ages.
The IFA would also be interested in knowing how you marked this important day in your part of the world. If your organization created an event for the IDOP 2009, let us know by email and we will include information about your event in an upcoming edition of IFA-eNews.
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In the next edition of IFA-eNews:
Preliminary Report: Akita Forum
Profiling New IFA Members
News from the MD Foundation
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 Report of the United Nations Secretary General
A Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid in 2002
In July 2009, the Secretary General of the United Nations issued a report as a Follow-Up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing. This report focuses on the promotion and protection of human rights as they pertain to older persons in the context of the implementation of international legal and policy instruments as well as national action. It examines the rights of older persons in the context of both international policy documents on ageing and international legal instruments. Furthermore, existing infringements on the rights of older persons are highlighted, namely those regarding age discrimination and abuse and violence. Possible next steps for action and conclusions and recommendations are presented at the end of the report.
Read the report in full text here.
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Exclusive Release! Closing Speech from the 5th Annual World Ageing and Generations Congress
Presented by Dr Ilona Kickbusch, September 2009
 Dr Ilona Kickbush, Director of the Global Health Programme at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva gave the keynote closing address to the 5th Annual World Ageing and Generations Congress hosted by the World Demographics Association in Geneva (September 3-5, 2009). Dr. Kickbusch's speech addressed the interface between ageing, poverty and social justice. These three are certainly inter-related, but also highly complex issues. In her address, Dr. Kickbusch advocates for a "Two Billion Strategy" to help bring together these issues and give them some perspective. This strategy is inspired by the fact that we will have two billion older people in the world by 2050, and this demographic projection requires an urgent and immediate response from all levels of society. Any response, however, must be grounded with a "moral base and a global perspective."
We invite you to access the speech in full text here. The IFA is grateful for the cooperation of Mr. Alfonso Sousa-Poza and all the staff of the World Demographic Association in preparing this document and for sharing with us.
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Bridging the Gap Between the Cultures
Previewing Mr. Greg Shaw's Keynote Address for the International TURYAK Distinguished Senior Citizens of the World Conference
 IFA's Mr. Greg Shaw (Director, International & Corporate Relations) will be in Istanbul to deliver a keynote address at the Turkish National Association for Gerontology's (Turyak) International Conference this October. In this edition of IFA eNews, we are happy to present an abstract of Mr. Shaw's upcoming speech, which focuses upon the fascinating topic of multiculturalism. In a world that is at once growing older and becoming more interconnected, this subject area is both timely and important.
"Migration is now an essential, inevitable and beneficial component of the economic and social life of every country and region. Older migrant people today are more visible, active and independent than ever before. However with the high rate of urban migration across the globe over several decades many countries are now facing the complexity of a rapidly ageing ethnocultural population. This growth and complexity provides a range of challenges for practitioners and policy makers. The absence of an interface between mainstream and ethno-cultural services has impacted negatively on knowledge sharing and capacity building to prepare the general community, health professionals, care providers and families with cultural competencies to support the cultural diversity of our seniors and their families."
Read the rest of this article here...
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A Tribute Dr Alexander Sidorenko
Retiring from the UN Focal Point on Ageing
 Break out the champagne! As part of the upcoming celebration of the International Day of Older Persons (October 1, 2009), the IFA will be joining our friends and colleagues in recognizing Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko, one of the world's leading authorities on population aging. Dr. Sidorenko is retiring from the UN and his position as the UN Focal Point on Ageing. He served as Coordinator for the International Year of Older Persons and has been a central figure in virtually every landmark aging agreement, including the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the UN Principles for Older Persons.
We take this opportunity to thank Dr. Sidorenko for leadership and friendship with the NGO Committee on Ageing/NY and the non-governmental community worldwide. Through his great leadership we recognize a world today where more and more persons can live in a society for ALL ages and where people can age with dignity and purpose. Read more about Dr. Sidorenko here.
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Report: International Colloquium on the Oldest Old (February 2009)
Conclusions, Suggestions, Recommendations and Policy Implications
The first-ever conference on the oldest old with a global perspective was held in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala State in India on February 9-11, 2009. This conference was organized by the Centre for Gerontological Studies (CGS), Thiruvananthapuram and co-sponsored by the Government of Kerala and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The oldest old (80 years and over) represent the fastest growing segment of the older (60 +) people throughout the world. By 2050, an estimated 20% of older people will be 80 years and over, and in the world's oldest countries like Japan and Switzerland, the oldest old will be 40% at that time. The challenges and needs of this segment of the population are often unique, but the general tendency for policy makers around the world has been to treat all old as a homogeneous group. Unless this uniqueness is appreciated and early measures are taken to address to their needs, the world's oldest old may end up living in great discomfort and misery. Hence, by all counts, it is necessary that the world's attention should be turned to this matter as a priority. The Colloquium on the Oldest Old was organized by CGS to draw international attention to this issue and to stress the need for urgent action in the matter. Delegates from India and abroad presented analysis and case studies on the 80+ in their countries and presented their views concerning the policies and programmes that could address these issues in the future.
The Colloquium was attended by 110 specially invited delegates, a good number of whom were from outside India, mainly sponsored to attend by UNFPA. There were 4 Symposia, 2 Round Tables and 5 Technical Sessions besides the inaugural and valedictory sessions. A Theme Paper titled "Who Cares for the Oldest Old? Plight of the 80+ in Global Perspective" prepared by Dr. P.K.B. Nayar, Chairman of CGS, to provide background information and data on the issue to the delegates. In addition, a colloquium report and recently released as prepared as a wrap-up to the event. You can access this document in full text here.
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An Update from IFA2010
An Exciting Lineup of Keynote Speakers Announced
 A preliminary list of confirmed key speakers has been released for IFA's 10th Global Conference on Ageing, and it is already shaping up as quite a lineup. Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course at the World Health Organization in Geneva, who will give a keynote address. So too will Dr. Joel Sadavoy, the inaugural Director of The Cyril & Dorothy, Joel & Jill Reitman Centre for Alzheimer's Support and Training, Head of Geriatric and Community Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital and inaugural holder of the Sam and Judy Pencer Chair in Applied General Psychiatry. Dr Sadavoy is a Professor of Psychiatry and faculty in the School of graduate studies at the Univesity of Toronto.
Key presentations will also be given by Dr Kate Auty, Commissioner for Environment Sustainability (Victoria), Ms Ruth Marks, Welsh Assembly Government, Dr Alexandre Kalache, International Centre for Policies on Ageing (New York and Rio de Janeiro), and Mr Tom Wright Age Concern, Help the Aged. The list is already impressive, but will be expanded as speakers are confirmed. In the meanwhile, you can find a whole range of information about this important conference online here, and if you intend to join us in Melbourne, remember that abstract submission is open!
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Older Persons in South East Asia
New Publication from the Institute of South East Asian Studies
In the August edition of IFA-eNews, we highlighted a recent publication on demographic change in South East Asia. This month, we are pleased to highlight yet another major publication from the region, entitled Older Persons in South East Asia (An Emerging Asset), edited by Evi Nurvidya Arifin and Aris Ananta. Southeast Asia comprises 11 countries, all with populations ageing at different rates, with Singapore at one end with a rapidly ageing population and Timor-Leste at another. Irrespective of thier current varied demographic situation, all are facing the prospects of an ageing population in future - this in a region where the population is measured in the billions. It is therefore a region which merits increased attention.
Societies in this region will have to respond to the challenges of population ageing. Demographers, economists, sociologists, and anthropologists weigh in in this volume and collectively emphasize the opportunities, as well as the costs of population ageing. Older persons have always been a source of unpaid family labour in the region, and with changes in public perceptions, many healthy and productive elderly can make significant contributions to the broader community and society. If you would like to order a copy of this book, download the publication information here. The Table of Contents is also available here.
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Developments in Social Inclusion Policy
New Toolkit for Australian Public Service
In the final week of August, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister
the Hon. Julia Gillard launched The Australian Public Service (APS) Social Inclusion Policy Design and Delivery toolkit. This toolkit describes and sets the parameters by which Commonwealth agencies
are now required to use the six step social inclusion method of policy design
and delivery. The purpose of the toolkit is to change the approach of the APS
to policy design and delivery so that the needs of disadvantaged people
are better met.
 The six steps are based on good practice and lessons learned from Australia and abroad. In brief, the six steps are to:
identify groups at risk of exclusion; -
analyse the nature and causes of disadvantage and exclusion; -
strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors; -
work with other agencies to coordinate efforts across government and other sectors; -
(re)design delivery systems and promote changes in culture; and -
establish a clear implementation plan and monitor delivery.
Australia's Commonwealth Government has set forth a vision of a more socially inclusive society where all people feel valued and have opportunities to participate. This toolkit represents another stepping stone in the country's path to greater social inclusion. More detailed information is available in the toolkit, which is available for download here.
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Call for Assistance on behalf of the Somali HelpAge Association (SHA)
Help support them to become an IFA Member!
The IFA is calling on interested persons or organizations to step up as a membership sponsor for the Somali HelpAge Association, a small but active group in Somalia working to support older people in one of the world's poorest and conflict-torn countries.
Somalia's population is around 9 million people, and up to 3 million are elderly. Many of them are living very critical situations as they lack daily meals and many social services. The humanitarian situation in the country is not good, and the needs of the elderly are often forgotten. Thousands have been affected by the recent conflict in the capital city Mogadishu, and many others in other regions have been displaced by the civil-war, drought and famine. The Somali Help-Age Association has appealed to aid agencies operating in Somalia to help the needy older people in Somalia and has set out to register poorer and displaced elderly persons who are over 60 yrs old in Bulahawa district, in the Gedo region.
 During their registration drive, the SHA encountered Nuria Sheikh Ibrahin, whose eldest son (aged 85 years) claimed that she is 114 years old, a number verified by many other witnesses, including some of her great-great grandchildren. Nuria is blind and suffers from anaemia, diabetes and hypertension. After identifying her special needs, the SHA raised funds to acquire a variety of food & non-food items such as corn Soya blend, milk, biscuits, safe water blankets, mosquito- net, clothes & medicines.
Supporting the SHA with a 1-year membership would only cost 75 dollars! If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact Mr. Greg Shaw directly. If you are interested in providing other forms of support to the organization, please contact Mr. Muse Sh Omar directly.
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| IFA Membership Survey 2009
Interesting themes revealed
 In early September, we sent out a survey to our members seeking feedback on the IFA, what we do, and what we can do better. Many have responded already, and we thank you for your input. IFA is a very membership-driven organization and your input is crucial to guiding this organization in a useful direction. If you are an IFA member and have not yet responded, we invite you to do so as there is still time for your recommendations to be included in our analysis.
An initial scan of the survey results has revealed several key themes. While IFA has by name and nature an international orientation, there is interest among respondents in how IFA can contribute in a regional or local context - by more frequently organizing or participating in regional forums addressing region-specific ageing issues, and providing more support in accessing local publications. Also, it seems there is interest among members in having more direct input into IFA activities, whether that is helping define conference programmes, serving as representatives of the IFA, or contributing directly to IFA publications.
We greatly appreciate the time you put into your responses. Be assured that we take your recommendations seriously and will be working hard to improve our services and continue to deliver on our strengths. |
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Do you have a piece of news or information that you would like featured in IFA-eNews? Contact us directly! We welcome your suggestions!
Sincerely yours,
The International Federation on Ageing | |
