What Was Being Said on October 1st?
Key Statements on International Older Persons Day
The IDOP is often used by governments and organizations to reflect on the place and status of older people in the world, and to re-affirm their vision for influencing positive change. We offer you a sample of what we heard being said.
At the United Nations, Dr John Beard, Director of the Department of Ageing and Lifecourse with the World Health Organization, gave a radio interview about the importance of valuing older people. "It is absolutely crucial," he said, "that communities look at ways of encouraging
older people to continue to contribute actively to their communities." More here...
 Barry Rand, AARP CEO, noted how the issues of economic disparities and population ageing cannot be separated, stating that the "world has changed dramatically in the 10 years since the International
Year of Older Persons in 1999. [...] We see people losing their jobs, their homes, their retirement
nest egg, and their health care. The gap between the haves and the have nots is
growing, as it has for the past 25 years. This is a challenge too great to
ignore, not just in the United States, but throughout the world.
It has been said that reducing inequity is the highest human
achievement. In a world where older people will outnumber children for
the first time in history by 2050, this is also our greatest challenge, and
reducing that inequity is our shared international imperative." Read the full statement here...
 The Honourable John Carter, Minister for Senior Citizens in New Zealand, one of many government officials around the world who made a statement, recognized the valuable contributions made by older people. "The [IDOP] is an opportunity to say thank you for the huge contribution that
older people make to society in every walk of life, as grandparents, friends,
colleagues, and as mentors to the younger generations" said Mr Carter. Read the full statement here...
"Seniors
need to be needed," said Major Jean Hefford, Adult Ministries Secretary for the
Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, "Regardless of their age, we need to find
out what they are capable of doing and empower them to do it. They are a
storehouse of wisdom, knowledge, experience and example. They have and will
continue to play a critical role in the family unit, community, church and even
the paid labour force. Older persons are mentors, caregivers, encouragers, and
want to live life to the fullest in their senior years. Read the full statement here...
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IDOP Events: What Were People Doing on October 1st?
How was the International Day of Older Persons marked in your area?
The IDOP is primarily an opportunity to raise awareness about the contributions of older people and the challenges that they face. However, the IDOP is not limited to public statements, and in many parts of the world, a range of special activities and events took place to commemorate this important day. In this edition of IFA eNews we present several events in great detail, but we also wish to convey the truly global nature of the IDOP, and the following are a mere sampling of what happened on October 1st.
In Somalia, events
were attended different community leaders, district & regional
administrators, civil-society members, local NGOs and media groups. Donated wheelchairs were distributed to poorer older people who needed such mobility support. |
 In Anguila, intergenerational exchanges saw senior citizens visiting primary
schools and churches, while other older people with more limited mobility
received visits from school children at their care facilities.
A delegation from the government of Dubai paid a visit to Al Shuwab Elderly Center
and a number of hospitals,
where they met seniors and presented them with memorial gifts to recognize
their presence and what they have offered to the community.
 Raja Islam, an amateur photographer in Karachi, Pakistan, celebrated with his camera, photographing older residents in the city. He caught this older man with a very striking photo, featured at the top of this newsletter.
Hundreds of older men and women marched down the streets of New
Delhi, India, on the occasion of the IDOP, to promote active living in older age. Donning caps and jogging gear, they walked from the sprawling lawns of the India Gate into the city.  "Our goal is basically to keep ourselves
healthy and mentally fit," said B.R. Behal, a participant.
The United Kingdom simultaneously celebrated the UK Older People's Day,
coinciding by design with the IDOP to bring even greater attention to the status of older people. Organized under the banner 'Full of Life', events were held
in communities across the UK to help change attitudes and promote a positive vision of older age. Find out more here...
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A Wales Which Works for Older People
On the Occasion of the IDOP, the Older People's Commissioner for Wales Releases "Putting Older People at Our Heart"
 The Older People's Commissioner for Wales - and new IFA
Director - Ms. Ruth Marks published her Annual Review on the status of
older people in Wales, sending it to the First Minister, Rt. Hon Rhodri Morgan
AM. Entitled Putting Older People at Our Heart, the report contains the results of months of investigation and consultations
with older people in Wales on a variety of issues, ranging from elder
abuse, transportation, community issues and housing. "It is especially important in harsh economic times that the
decisions we make about resources are wise ones," states Marks, "We must ensure that we respect the
dignity of older people, help people to be as independent as possible,
and support people to take part in their communities."
 In addition to surveying the status of older people and reflecting on the priorities of the Commission, the report sets out future priorities for the Commission,
including advocating for changes in the laws around elder abuse, and a
re-organization of the National Health System. A series of launch events were held to coincide with the IDOP, in an effort to bring greater attention to the report and link together various stakeholders and decision makers. The full report is available here.
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Landmark Celebrations of the International Day of Older Persons in Zambia
Update from the Retirees' Welfare Bureau
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Commemorating the 2009 IDOP in Zambia was a
very significant event, both as a commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the
International Year of Older Persons, and secondly, the Retirees' Welfare Bureau of Zambia (RWBZ) effectively used the event to
lobby major stakeholders on the need to mainstream issues of ageing in the developmental
plans of Government in the country. This was achieved by broadcasting sensitization programmes on various radio and television stations
to create awareness on the need to focus on strengthening
mechanisms that help create an enabling environment for people of all ages to have
equal opportunities in societal development. To this end, RWBZ facilitated a
total of 11 radio and television discussion programmes during the
month of September 2009, through which the social and economic challenges that
negatively impact the lives of older persons were highlighted. On the actual
day of commemoration, the programme was attended
by well over 500 people of different age groups. For the first time
in the history of commemorating IDOP in Zambia, prominent senior citizens such as the former Minister of Local
Government and Housing Dr. Peter
Matoka, the second Minister of Justice 1967 Judge Chomba and many other
eminent personalities were in attendance.
RWBZ Chairperson Geoffrey Chiyesu, the
Minister of Community Development and Social Services the Hon. Micheal Kaingu and Dr. Matoka made key statements at the event. They implored the Government to seriously consider creating a platform where senior
citizens are consulted on various matters of national affairs to be in line
with the fundamental principles of the United Nations. In his speech, the
Minister of Community Development and Social Services acknowledged the
important role that senior citizens play in the developmental processes of
Zambia and assured that he will lobby with other line ministries in ensuring
that focal point desks concerning older persons' issues are established in all
line ministries since ageing is a cross cutting issue. The Minister also made
an assurance to the nation that the long awaited Ageing Policy will soon be
ratified by Cabinet.
The event was capped by moving testimony from an 80 year old woman who had attempted suicide because of constant
physical abuse by her grandson, who had been accusing her of being a wizard
following the death of his parents. This example is far too common
in Zambia and the rest of Africa at large where older persons are
considered misfits in their societies on account of age. It is because of situations like this one that make the celebration of the IDOP so important. The entire
2009 IDOP commemoration was a grand success, and was funded largely by generous voluntary contributions. It was characterized with a lot of fun as older persons had an
opportunity to interact with all age groups present through dance and drama.
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The International Day of Older Persons in Nigeria
Grace-full-Ageing with the Senior Citizens Care Foundation
Increasing awareness about ageing issues and influencing public opinion is fundamental to changing the
widely held opinion that older people are a burden and do not contribute to the larger
society. The Senior Citizens Care Foundation of Nigeria stands against this misconception, and has often used the 1st of October as a day of activity and promotion in Nigeria because of the added significance brought by the international day.
 This year Senior Citizens Care Foundation celebrated the IDOP with the elderly in a memorable way, called Grace full Aging. The day's events kicked off with a free medical check-up program that gave all
participants the opportunity to have vision, diabetes, and high blood
pressure screenings, with appropriate drugs and eye glasses distributed after
the screenings. The second phase of the day's events was a 10
kilometer health walk to promote physical fitness among older people and
as well to create awareness about the IDOP.  Grace full Ageing continued into a second day with a
visit to an elder care facility to deliver donations of welfare aids to the residents.
Grace full Ageing was organized by the foundation to raise awareness about the challenges faced by older people. The Senior Citizens Care Foundation calls on more non government organizations to target various sectors of the
public in different ways to create more awareness on aging. Find out more about the Senior Citizens Care Foundation on their website.
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The International Centre on Aging (ICA), Istanbul, Turkey - Press Statement for IDOP 2009
'Helping one
human to live, gives life to all humanity.'
To mark the IDOP, the International Centre on Aging (ICA) based in Instanbul, Turkey, released an agenda for action on "Successful Aging".
Successful aging in this sense looks at the aging process in terms of being healthy, fit, and energetic, with a forward-looking and constructive mindset. The main focus at the ICA is to change people's
awareness of not only the word 'aging' but also the lifestyle choices that are
made throughout a person's life course, beginning
at birth. While it is up to each person to take the first steps towards an
active and fulfilling life at all stages of the life course, it is upon the ICA and other organizations around the world to advocate among communities and
government to provide that support.
In line with their commitment to Successful Aging, the ICA's foremost
project is to realize the construction, from scratch, of Global Integrated
Wellness Communities (villages, towns and cities) in Turkey and around the
world. These communities will be eco-friendly, smart, automated, and will
embrace the current UN and WHO guidelines for age-friendly practices and active
aging programmes, as well as create new initiatives offering citizens a more
productive and joyful experience right through to their latter years.
Integrated healing, education, training and activity centres combining wellness
therapies drawn from eastern, western, alternative and traditional philosophies
are the mainstay of these communities. Medical, health and wellness
practices combining together in one visionary environment.
The ICA is an international, intercultural, interfaith, and inter-generational
organization that provides a centralised venue for global action, research,
training and support concerning all aspects of Successful Aging. You can find out more about the ICA on their website, or contact them directly here.
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Distinguished Senior Citizens of the World - 9th to 11th
October 2009
By Greg Shaw - Director, International and
Corporate Relations (IFA)
 In September, the IFA's own Mr. Greg Shaw was a keynote participant at the Turyak Seniors Council
Association Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, which focused on the timely theme 'Bridging the Cultural Gap'. In this edition, Mr. Shaw has contributed some of his own reflections on the conference:
"The Turyak Seniors Council
Association has just held its International congress
honouring thirty nine (39) senior citizens from across the globe, distinguished
for their wisdom and who have delivered papers on the theme "Bridging the
Cultural Gap". For this inaugural event, thirty four (34) countries were represented
with those being honoured being presented awards by the Prime Minister of
Turkey, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Representing
the IFA it was my pleasure to provide input to the theme by way of a
presentation just prior to the Prime Ministers speech and I was especially
pleased to hear the commitment from the Prime Minister himself, to further
support Turyak to make this an annual and larger event.
My
congratulations go out the Turyak Chairman, Mr Mete Bora and the Board of
Directors for their vision, leadership and commitment to recognize seniors
within their own country and to extend that recognition across country
boarders. I look forward to being part of the future growth of this wonderful
initiative.
In
the last edition of the IFA eNews we published the abstract of my presentation
for this congress, however after attending the event I realise the importance
and value of all the presentations made on the theme "Bridging the Cultural Gap" and want to share
these thoughtful and heartfelt essays with you commencing in our November issue
of IFA eNews. In this edition we have published the declaration that came from
the congress: Read the Declaration here. |
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Request from the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee Secretariat
Online Surveys to Review IASC Guidelines and Publications
The United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee Secretariat (IASC), a forum for
coordination, policy development and decision making on humanitarian
assistance, has released a series of policy statements, manuals and guidelines since 1992. This fall, the IASC is conducting a series of user surveys of selected products aimed at
influencing the norms and practices of humanitarian organizations and their
partners.  Under review are several products that may have relevance for some of our readers - the Humanitarian Action and Older
Persons: An essential brief for humanitarian actors (2008), and
the IASC Guidelines for Mental Health and Psycho Social Support in Emergency
Settings (covers on left and right, respectively).
 This review process is meant to determine if these products are
known, if they are used, and if they could be more accessible. There are various types of surveys targeting different audiences to collect general views about the dissemination
and use of the technical guidance products: for managers of humanitarian programs
and operations; for users of specific products; and for people not familiar
with the publications.
If you are familiar with either of these two products or if you would like to learn more and are interested/able in participating in this review process, we encourage you to do so. Please respond to the survey most relevant to you. The links to the surveys, and more background information, can be found here. The deadline for
responding to the survey is October 23, 2009.
Any questions related to the review can be directed to Ms. Silva Ferretti. Find out more about the IASC on their website here.
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Age-Friendly Book of Proceedings
Report of the Age Friendly Communities Consultations - Toronto
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 On June 16th, 2009, the City of Toronto, in cooperation with the Ontario Seniors Secretariat, hosted a special Age Friendly Communities consultation. The purpose of this event was to have an initial conversation on collaboration between attendees to make Toronto's communities more age-friendly. The conversation was based on the supposition that an age-friendly community is one "where policies, services, setting and structures support and enable people to actively age throughout their lifespan".
As a result of this meeting, a report that can serve as a 'toolkit' was produced to address age friendly initiatives and to add ideas and approaches that will support initiatives in various organizations and communities. It is hoped that the Book of Proceedings can re-charge thinking among participants in seeking out collaborations to bring about more positive change. If you were involved in this meeting, or are interested more broadly in age friendly communities information, we recommend that you download this file from our Age Friendly Communities website here.
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The Role of Community Colleges in an Aging Society
Publication from the ILC - USA and Metlife Foundation
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The International Longevity Center and MetLife Foundation are calling on the education sector and community colleges to get together to address the issues of longevity, aging, and caregiving. In this vein, the recently published Caregiving Brief contains an article by Cullen Hayashida, Ph.D., Michael Faber, MA, LBSW, and Jan
Abushakrah, Ph.D. on the need for community colleges to respond to our
aging society. The authors argue that colleges can help understand and prepare for the challenges and needs
of communities, and they strongly advocate for networking and sharing of
information among community colleges to this end. Read the report in full text here.
As part of this discussion, the International Longevity Center and MetLife Foundation will soon launch the Community
College Training Network, an online forum for community colleges to share
information and activities related to caregiving, caregiver training and their
curricula. The pilot phase for the forum will launch October 21st for
participating community colleges, with a full public launch projected for
December, 2009.
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New Resource for Preventing Falls through Physical Activity
Publication from the Alberta Centre for Active Living
The Alberta Centre for Active Living is pleased to launch a new resource
for people who are helping older adults to be more physically active. Preventing
Falls Through Physical Activity: A Guide for People Working with Older Adults is
a 38-page booklet specifically designed for activity le aders in rural communities, although this guide would still be very useful for people in urban settings as well. It contains information on safety, planning, and exercise, with a compendium of resources. This publication was developed through a grant from the Community Injury Control Fund from
the Alberta Centre for Injury Control & Research and with input from a
provincial advisory committee. The Guide can be downloaded here,
duplicated and shared freely. A limited number of hard copies are
available as well, and ordering information is here.
The Alberta Centre for Active Living has other resources available as well. The Rural Route to Active Aging: A Guide for People Who Want to
Stay Active as They Age is another useful publication that can be downloaded from the same site. This resource
complements Preventing Falls Through Physical Activity document.
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New Age Friendly Research Initiative in Canada
The Elder Friendly Communities Program
The Elder Friendly Communities Program started
as a research and demonstration project and is now a sustainably funded program
based in Calgary. The program is founded on the principles of vital
involvement, neighbourhood based community development and collaborative
advantage. Research indicates that
community development at the neighbourhood level is a promising strategy for
engaging older adults and that collaboration among participating organizations
promotes the program's success.
The
Elder Friendly Communities Program has been replicated in South
Australia, with an urban site in Adelaide,
a rural site in the Yorke Peninsula. The
Government of South Australia has incorporated the Elder Friendly Communities
Program into its State Ageing Plan. The University
of Calgary, Faculty of Social Work and
the University of South Australia, School of Social Work
and Social Policy have established a collaborative relationship to engage in
comparative research. Also, Elder
Friendly Communities have been created at two sites in South Australia (West Adelaide
& Yorke Peninsula) and were adopted as policy in the State of South
Australia. Research reports and publications from the Elder Friendly Communities Program are available online here.
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Depression in Older Adults - a Guide for Seniors and their
Families
New Publication from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health
The
Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health has produced a guide for older
Canadians and their families, as well as others around the world, dealing with the issues of depression among older people that are often not well understood.
This booklet is part of a series of publications that cover similar topics for and about seniors, their family members, and others who care about
them. In 2006, the CCSMH created the first set of national guidelines in Canada for health care professionals on
seniors' mental health based on the most current research at that time. The guidelines
recommend ways
to improve the assessment, prevention, treatment and management of key mental
health problems for older adults: mental health issues in long term care homes,
delirium, suicide and depression. Other publications in the series can be found at the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health website here.
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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 | |
IFA - eNews
"Over the past decade, we intensified our efforts to build a 'society
for all ages' and to promote international commitment to the United
Nations Principles for Older Persons. The Principles are founded on
the need to build an inclusive society that emphasizes participation,
self-fulfillment, independence, care and dignity for all. To transform
them into deeds, we have campaigned for policies that will enable older
persons to live in an environment that enhances their capabilities,
fosters their independence and provides them with adequate support and
care as they age," said Ban Ki-moon.
The United Nations also hosted a series of events on October 8th, in both New York and Geneva, 1 week after the official commemoration. The proceedings of these events are available online here. The theme for these gatherings was to seek new ways to strengthen older persons'
involvement in global efforts to improve their quality of life, and to
harness the social and economic opportunities that ageing offers. United Nations officials, Member States and representatives of communities of older persons from around the world joined together for the festivities. 
