ESCAP held a High-level Meeting on the Regional Review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) in Macao, China (9-11 October 2007). The objectives of the Meeting were: 1) to review the developments in the area of ageing in Asia and the Pacific; 2) to review and appraise the implementation of MIPAA in the region, by considering the findings of national reviews, sharing experiences and good practices, and 3) to identify priorities for further actions in implementation of MIPAA. For more information, please direct your Internet server to: http://www.unescap.org/esid/psis/meetings/AgeingMipaa2007/index.asp

UNFPA conducted an EXPERT GROUP MEETING ON POPULATION AGEING AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS to coincide with the first cycle of the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. The meeting was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 30 to 31 October 2007. The discussion at the meeting focused on the implications of population ageing and attempted to define measures aimed at including ageing issues in development planning. The participants adopted a series of recommendations which will be included into the report of the meeting.

THE 2007 UNECE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON AGEING was held in León, Spain, from 6 to 8 November 2007, within the context of the first cycle of the review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action. The Conference considered the findings of national reviews, shared experiences and good practices, and identified priorities for future action. During its Ministerial Segment (8 November), the Conference adopted the Ministerial Declaration “A Society for All Ages: Challenges and Opportunities”. The Conference also included a civil society forum and a research forum – both were held on 5 November. The Forums concluded their work by adopting declarations which were presented at the concluding session of the Conference on 8 November. For further details: http://www.unece.org/pau/age/ConferenceonAgeing_2007/welcome.htm

In Berlin, Germany, THE TENTH CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR DIRECTORS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY (E.D.E.) AND THE FIRST WORLD CONGRESS FOR DIRECTORS OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY were conducted (14-17 November 2007). The Congresses had a joint theme: “A Lesson Taught by the Berlin Wall for Care and Nursing Home Directors: Creating Future by Overcoming Borders”.
For further information: www.worldcongress-ede.com

The Economic Commission for Africa organized an Expert Group Meeting on Ageing in Africa (Addis Ababa, 19-20 November 2007). Representatives of Government, academia and NGOs participated in the EGM. A draft report entitled Aging in a society for all ages in Africa 2007 as well as various country review and appraisal reports were discussed. In addition, various presentations on ageing in Africa were made. The outcome of the meeting will feed into the global review and appraisal efforts, which will culminate during the forty-sixth session of the Commission for Social Development in February 2008.

The International Social Security Association and the US Social Security Administration issued the Africa-Report of the Social Security Programs Throughout the World-series. It is now
downloadable at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/2006-2007/africa/index.html

AARP International Releases Two New Reports

The Journal

AARP International has released the premier edition of The Journal a biannual publication covering topics on international policy concerning the health and financial security of a global aging population. Highlights from the premier edition include:

§ Page 10: A feature article on Aging Trends and Policy Responses in East Asia by Madeleine K. Albright, Former Secretary of State

§ Page22: A feature article by Constance Morella, US Ambassador to the OECD, on Financing Tomorrow: Preparing Today for the Challenges of Tomorrow

§ Page 50: A feature article by Elizabeth Docteur and Francesca Colombo of the OECD on Health Care Spending: Why is it Growing? Where is it Going? Can We Afford It?

§ Page 88: A Newsmaker interview with the Honorable Sheilabai Bappoo of Mauritius, and much more.

The Journal is available in pdf format. Click here to download full version. To request a copy of the print version, please send an email to: intlaffairs@aarp.org

Proceedings of the UN Briefing Series - Major Developments and Trends in Global Aging 2007

The year 2007, which marked the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), was a time for assessing progress in implementing the Plan's recommendations in its three priority directions: older people and development; advancing health and well-being into old age; and ensuring enabling and supportive environments. The United Nations' plan for monitoring this progress is based on a qualitative "bottom-up" approach in which all stakeholders-including governments, civil society organizations and older people themselves-are encouraged to participate.

As a contribution to that assessment, AARP International, in collaboration with the UN Programme on Ageing, Department of Economic and Social Affairs sponsored a series of briefings on major developments and trends in global aging. The briefings were held during February 7-9, 2007, at UN Headquarters in New York. Those taking part included members of governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), academia, United Nations staff and the private sector.

The briefings focused on the latest developments with respect to three key priority areas central to the Madrid Plan: Income security for all older persons; Health and Active Aging; and Creating enabling environments.

Visit the UN Briefing Series Website: http://www.aarp.org/research/international/report/un_briefingseries.htm