The Drum Beat 107 - AGEING

AGEING

We live in an ageing world. The world is 'shrinking' through global communication and 'maturing' with global ageing. Demographers predict that if current trends in ageing continue as predicted, a demographic revolution will reveal the proportions of the young and the old undergo a historic crossover which will be felt in just 3 generations. 

TRENDS

1. Population size doubled from 3 to 6 billion between 1960 and 1999. The previous doubling from 1.5 billion took twice as long. 

2. In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050. Soon, every 3rd individual will be over the age of 60. 

3. Today, about 2/3 of all older people are living in the developing world; by 2025, it will be 75%. 

4. In the developed world, the very old (age 80+) is the fastest growing population group. 

5. Women outlive men in virtually all societies; in very old age, the ratio of women/men is 2:1. 

See the following for more Trend Data
WHO Ageing pages

PROGRAMMES

6. Adopt-a-Gran - India - links the elderly in need with sponsoring individuals, families and corporations...a need is identified for assistance (social, financial or otherwise), whereby interested individuals, families or corporations are contacted to set up the "adoption". Contact: helpage@nde.vsnl.net.in

7. Bread of Life - Colombia - initiated by Pro Vida, the local age care agency, this programme used traditional media where elderly people were given the means to set up & operate a bakery. An example of how 'available finance was used for highly profitable long-term investment rather than short term relief'. Contact: sidorenko@un.org

8. Fueling the Economy - Kenya - the seniors of Mawego in Nyanza province of Kenya came up with their own idea for a profitable business in kerosene, saving members of the elderly community many miles of walking. Contact: sidorenko@un.org

9. Youth Records Old Wisdom - Jamaica - the history of Jamaica's ageing population is recorded by students, creating museum treasures while fostering friendship & respect between youth & the elderly. Contact: sidorenko@un.org

10. Generation 1997 Theatre Project - UK - a theatre programme where Small World Theatre (SWT) worked with a group of pensioners & teenagers in Ely using the media of puppetry & participatory theatre as a means of expression to explore tensions in the community. Contact: info@smallworld.org.uk

11. Youth Interwoven With Age - Bolivia - using local materials, youths in the community copy a full-size loom to create a thriving business for a programme initially developed for elderly widows to renew their weaving skills. Contact: sidorenko@un.org

12. Utilizing the Useless - South Africa - A recycling programme which used the ingenuity & traditional skills of South Africa's ageing population to turn useless waste articles into useable household commodities which were sold at a profit. Contact: sidorenko@un.org

IMPACT DATA

13. Impact: Generation 1997 Theatre Project - UK - Between the years of 1997 & 1999, there was a decrease in the harassment of older people, noted by youth, community workers & pensioners. 'The community has recently raised funds for a new phase of intergenerational drama work'. Contact: info@smallworld.org.uk

14. Impact: The Global Embrace Walk - Global - It is estimated that over 1 million people in 96 countries participated in about 3,000 walks all over the globe on Oct 2 1999. At the local level, municipal authorities, institutions serving older people and organisations of older people, as well as the private sector worked together. Through these partnerships, capacity was built to raise awareness and to address the needs and concerns of older people. Contact: activeageing@who.int

STRATEGIC THINKING

15. Health & Ageing: A Discussion Paper - '... As we enter the 21st century, global ageing will put increased economic & social demands on all countries. At the same time, older people provide a precious, often-ignored resource that makes an important contribution to the socioeconomic fabric of our lives'. The WHO believes we can afford to get old if countries act immediately in developing 'active ageing' policies & programmes that encourage the health, independence & productivity of older citizens. Contact: activeageing@who.int

16. Impact of AIDS on Older People in Africa: Zimbabwe Case Study - The bulk of people caring for AIDS orphans are over 50 yrs old. In the age group of 50-54, 15% are the main caregivers of orphans; those 55-59 yrs yield 14% as the main caregivers; and in the group 60 & over, 71% are currently caring for orphans of their children dying of AIDS. Contact: Robert deGraft Agyarko Agyarkor@who.int

BROADCAST

17. Images of Older Women in the Media - USA - United Nations Radio interviews discussed images of older women in the media, how to go about making changes & talked about a campaign with The Body Shop (a skin care business) to promote positive attitudes towards ageing. Contact: unradio@un.org

CULTURE

18. Meanings & Images in an Ageing Society - India - Images of ageing are rooted in culture... However, the understanding of one's language and culture can very often contrast with the meanings and images given it by others. ...Roles diminish & images play an important part in how the world perceives ageing. Mass media...is also a link in the globalization chain & can have profound effects on the developing world & particularly on the older women who live there... Click here for story on the INDEV site OR Click here for story on the UN Ageing site.

CONFERENCES / TRAINING

19. International Association of Gerontology (IAG) holds its World Congress every 4 yrs. The Congress is a major vehicle through which the IAG pursues its objectives, including the promotion of: gerontological research and international cooperation training in the field of aging interests of gerontological organisations in international affairs. In the 2nd yr between World Congresses, regional congresses are usually held.

EVENTS / ADVOCACY

20. The Global Embrace 2001: Sept 30 - An annual intergenerational walk that is the major advocacy event of the Global Movement for Active Ageing. The WHO launched this event on Oct 2 1999 during the UN International Year of Older Persons, with its slogan "Towards a society for all ages". See - Programme Description and item #14 in this issue. Participants walked on every continent, in cities & villages, along beaches & country roads, in parks & shopping centres. Contact: activeageing@who.int

21. The 2nd UN World Assembly on Ageing: Apr 2002 - In Madrid, this will be a 20 yr follow-up to the World Assembly in 1982. This conference will be devoted to the review of the outcome of the 1st UN World Assembly, as well as to the adoption of a revised plan of action & a long-term strategy on ageing in the context of a society for all ages.

WEB SITES

22. Population Council - Population & Social Policy

23. UN Programme on Ageing: Towards a Society for all Ages

24. UN HelpAge International: Leading global action on ageing - relaunched in June as a major focal point for news and comment on ageing and development issues. Includes policy and research, advocacy, emergencies, practical issues and the HelpAge International network.

MATERIALS

25. Active Senior Electronic Newsmagazine - general newsletter for seniors - USA Contact: jlgiffor@prairienet.org

26. The Global Embrace Handbook - A guide for organisers of The Global Embrace walk events. Available in English - soon to be available in Spanish. Contact: activeageing@who.int

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With special thanks to Alex Kalachea (Kalachea@who.int) and the team at WHO for their support
Click here for the WHO Ageing website.

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This issue was written by Cathy Challinor.

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