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The Political Environment of Age-Friendliness: Webinar
Tuesday April 29th 2014
1:00PM EST
A large component of what shapes our identity is our sense of place - a place to call home, an environment to relate to and a community that embraces every stage of our lives. The concept of age-friendly communities and cities has been adapted and applied in many different ways worldwide. Increasingly the term "age-friendly" is an important pillar to the strategic plans of all levels of government. There is no doubt that building an environment for people of all ages will yield significant social and economic benefits.
What does it mean to decision-makers and politicians for their community to be age-friendly? Is it an attractive proposition and if so, how can the business case be made for political-buy in and engagement that brings with it funds? Political buy-in is frequently identified as a barrier that impedes the progress of many Age-Friendly Initiatives globally. Our speakers, Dr. Margaret Neal and Mr. Hugh O'Connor, have been at the coalface of these thorny issues and overcome the odds to lead two of the most impressive set of age-friendly scenarios in the world.
Register here to attend this webinar hosted by the IFA as part of Grantmakers in Aging's "Conversations with GIA" webinar series.
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2014 AARP Best Employers International Competition
 The AARP Best Employers International Award honors non-U.S.-based organizations that value the skills and talents of experienced workers, and provide a path for future workers. All previous winners have demonstrated innovative age-friendly practices that enhance people's abilities to extend their working lives to the benefit of individuals, businesses, and society as a whole.
AARP and its partners welcome applications from various organizations, including for-profits, non-profits, charities, foundations, and government agencies. The programs considered do not have to be dedicated to older workers exclusively, as policies that benefit older workers often benefit all workers.
If your organization qualifies for this award, you can apply here before April 26th, 2014. Read more about the competition here.
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International Alliance of Patient's Organizations - Information Papers
The International Alliance of Patient's Organizations (IAPO) has announced the launch of 2 information papers on universal health coverage ahead of the IAPO 6th Global Patients Congress taking place 28-31 March in Ascot, UK.
The first paper, ' IAPO Information Paper: Universal Health Coverage', describes how universal health coverage is currently defined and measured, and explains its importance. Read the full paper here.
The second paper, ' Country examples towards universal health coverage', highlights examples from six countries (Mexico, Rwanda, Japan, Ghana, Thailand, and Chile) that have developed innovative strategies to expand healthcare coverage across the population and includes examples of healthcare systems financing. Read the full paper here.
More resources about health coverage are available here.
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Global Ageing Issues & Actions - Volume 9.1
We are very pleased to announce the publication of the latest issue of IFA's Journal, Global Ageing Issues & Actions!
This issue is dedicated to the International Istanbul Initiative on Ageing organized by the IFA and TURYAK Seniors Council in October 2013, along with featured IFA articles.
This event was a catalyst, bringing together truly remarkable leaders to recognize the synergies between youth and the ageing population, and worked to recognize the extensive social capital older people achieve through intergenerational solidarity.
The journal is available here to all IFA members.
If you are not a member, but still wish to read our journal, please visit the IFA Bookstore to purchase an online copy.
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The Online and In Person Peer Support Relationship Between Adult Children and Other Caregivers Study
 Marina Bastawrous, a PhD student at the University of Toronto, is looking for individuals to participate in a study about the online and in person peer support relationship between adult children and other caregivers, as part of her doctoral research.
To participate, you need to be 18 or older, live in Canada, care for a parent by helping with any of their usual activities or medication and be in contact with other caregivers, online or in person. Your role would be to complete a 30 to 45 minute online survey. You will then be invited to participate in an optional 45-60 minute detailed telephone interview about your experiences and relationships with other caregivers.
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Join the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP) Today!
 Established in 2011, the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People was born out of the need to strengthen the rights and voice of older people globally. GAROP is currently expanding its membership to incorporate organizations from across the world.
Learn about the benefits of becoming a member here. If your organization wishes to join GAROP, please click here and input your details.
Additionally, please help expand the GAROP membership and protect the rights of older people by inviting other organizations to join GAROP. You may do so by adapting and disseminating the official letter of invitation.
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AARP's Journal: Reimagining the Aging Experience
 The Journal is AARP's international publication that features senior officials and thought leaders and covers trends, innovations and research that impact the lives of people age 50 and over. The 2014 edition, under the theme of 'Reimagining the Aging Experience', features leading global voices that offer their perspective and experience.
This edition features a series of articles that identify the challenge of the global epidemic of dementia, demonstrate the potential for better care at a lower cost, and highlights the need for broad engagement.
The Journal is available here. Sign up to receive a hardcopy here.
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Current and Emerging Issues Facing Canadian Seniors - Fireside Chat
 With the aging of the population, seniors and near-seniors issues are at the forefront of economic, health and social policy decision makers. Much has been documented by experts on the needs of an aging population but questions remain, "Are the seniors' policy issues we face today the same as what we will face in the future?" Have the current policy issues remained constant or are issues shifting priority? Are new issues emerging? Join us for an interactive discussion with Dr. Jane Barratt, Secretary General of the IFA when she shares the IFA's findings on the current and emerging issues facing Canadian seniors and seniors across the globe.
This Fireside Chat, sponsored by Employment and Social Development Canada will be of interest to government policy and program representatives, health and social care practitioners, seniors' organizations, academic researchers, and students in the field of gerontology, psychology, nursing and social work.
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Syria, Three Years On: Older Refugees in Exile
 On the third anniversary of the war in Syria, it is important to recognize the high number of refugees displaced as a result of the conflict, of which 72,000 are over 60 years of age. HelpAge International is currently working with NGOs and other organizations in Jordan and Lebanon to tailor to the emergency needs of older adults, as it is not unusual for the unique needs of older people to be overlooked in an emergency.
The lack of physical and financial access to regular healthcare and medication has placed even more stress on people living with chronic diseases. Many older people are succumbing in Syria and in host countries of Syrian refugees to what were previously manageable chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, as war brings damaging interruptions to their treatment.
Read the full article here.
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Active Ageing Measures in Selected European Union Countries
This final report summarizes the research conducted within the framework of the 'Equal opportunities in the labour market for people aged 50+' project, conducted from 2011 to 2014 by the University of Lodz, Poland, and funded by the European Social Fund.
The report analyzes the social and economic activity of older people across the European Union, regarding the labour market, lifelong education and the discrimination that they face, and reviews systemic solutions in several EU countries. The data collected was then used to make recommendations to improve the lives of older people in Poland.
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This report promotes preventive healthcare through a national plan of public health, promotional actions to fight the negative stereotypes about ageing and institutional activity to promote older people's rights in Poland.
Read the full report here.
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IFA 12th Global Conference on Ageing
"Health, Security and Community"
10-13 June 2014 - Hyderabad, India
The concurrent session program is being finalized over the course of the coming weeks and abstracts will not be accepted later than April 15th. Submit your abstract here today to guarantee a place in the program!
The secretariat is still welcoming all abstract submissions, but are particularly interested in abstracts on the following topic areas:
- The biology of ageing,
- Quality of care and building standards in long term care,
- Preventing elder abuse,
- Human rights of older people.
Special registration rates are now being offered to Indian delegates, as well as to those delegates attending the conference from developing and under developed nations. Visit http://ifa2014.in/registration.php to learn more about this opportunity.
The deadline to register for the conference is rapidly approaching. Register today to make sure you don't miss out on the unique opportunity to attend!
The conference secretariat has now received the appropriate letters of permission from the Indian Government, which delegates will need to print and present to their respective consulates in order to complete their Conference VISA applications.
The letters from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs can both be downloaded here: http://ifa2014.in/visa_guidelines.php. If you require any other documentation to complete your VISA application, please contact Mr. Hershal Pandya at hpandya@ifa-fiv.org.
- Senior Government Officials Meeting
T he Senior Government Officials Meeting (SOM) will take place on June 10th, 2014, and will focus on connecting formal and informal care. If you are a Senior Government Official and would like to attend the meeting please register today by contacting Ms. Kailyn Burke at kburke@ifa-fiv.org. A 10 minute survey has been developed to allow you to share you experience and expertise on informal caregiving. The survey forms a strong basis to develop a program for the SOM to ensure it is meaningful and productive for all delegates. To take the survey, please visit:
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The Economic and Social Contribution of the Elderly in Mauritius - Booklet
 This booklet by Club Le Flamboyant was released on March 22nd and highlights the economic and social benefits of an ageing population, at national and international levels.
The booklet highlights that an ageing society is not a burden but really a triumph of development and a marker of progress. It aims to provide valuable inputs to various authorities and decision-makers to encourage age-friendly policies and actions.
Read the full booklet here. | |
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Closing Note
Dear Readers,
If you are interested in submitting an article for a future edition of the IFA eNews or wish to make comments or recommendations on how we might improve this publication please email Greg Shaw (gshaw@ifa-fiv.org) or Juliette Davodeau (jdavodeau@ifa-fiv.org) You can contact us by telephone +1 416 342-1655.
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