THEME

Population Ageing and Appropriate Measures for the Aged

BACKGROUND

World Population is growing rapidly, but it is ageing even more rapidly. In the last half century the world population more than doubled, from 2.5 to 6.7 billion. This figure is likely to increase by 2.5 billion over the next 42 years, reaching 9.2 billion in 2050. Over that time, half of the increase in the world population will be accounted for by a rise in the population aged 60 years or over, whose numbers will almost triple to reach over one billion.

This accelerated ageing process is even more dramatic in Asia. In the last half century, Asia’s total population almost tripled, rising from 1.4 to 3.7 billion. Those 65 and over, however, grew in number by almost four times, from 57 to 217 million. The future will see even greater ageing. The total Asian population may grow from 3.7 to 6.4 billion from 2000 to 2050. In the same period, those 60 and over may grow to over 1.2 billion, increasing by around 4 times, and those aged 80 and over will grow in number to over 225 million.

More concretely speaking, the aging trend of the countries where the AUICK Associate Cities are located needs immediate and serious attention. While most of them had only 4 or 5 percent of their population over the age of 60 (retirement age in the majority) in 1965-70, the proportion of the aged in general had increased significantly by 2005, especially in those countries which have achieved the replacement level, and more notably in China and Thailand. However, by 2025, the proportion of the aged (60+) is going to range from about 9 per cent to 21.5 per cent.

Population ageing has a great impact on society and economy. It brings a shrinking of the work force, an increasing social-security burden, and major changes in family structure and health service systems. As women represent the larger number and proportion of older people in almost all societies, the issue also has important gender implications. On the other hand, the positive aspect of ageing is that the elders have more time and longer life to contribute to society with their rich experience of life, as well as technical skills and knowledge.

Recent rapid urbanization in developing countries will also witness an increasing proportion of the older population in urban areas. This will challenge the capacity of national and local governments. Although urban areas potentially offer better health care and information access, urbanization tends to erode traditional socio-cultural norms and community/family networks. The ageing need not only economic security and access to good transportation, but also strong community-based support systems.

The UNFPA, one of AUICK’s sponsors, has developed Policy Guidelines on Ageing to provide measures which can effectively respond to the needs, expectations and rights of older persons. They include the following:

• Focus on the older poor, in development and poverty-reduction strategies;

• Examine the economic, social and cultural implications of population and demographic changes, and how they relate to development concerns;

• Promote the implementation of adequate policies and programs for active ageing, including life-long education and training, and the full participation of older persons in community life;

• Recognize and support the care-giving services provided by grandparents, especially women, to grandchildren orphaned by AIDS;

• Eliminate discrimination; financial, psychological and physical abuse; and other crimes against older persons, especially women, including intergenerational violence;

• Promote intergenerational solidarity with the goal of maintaining and improving social cohesion;

The right and appropriate approaches are needed in order to maximize the development benefits of urbanization for older persons while minimizing its negative impacts.

AIM

The aim of this workshop is to increase the capacities of senior officials of AUICK Associate Cities (AACs) who are in charge of policies and programs for the aged. In view of the UNFPA Policy Guidelines on Ageing, the Workshop is designed to improve participants’ knowledge about the urban policy implications of population ageing. It aims to increase the participants’ understanding and know-how of administrative measures for the aged through presentations by Kobe City and AAC officials, as well as best practice case studies and site visits related to the theme. Special emphasis will be placed on the active participation of the aged in society, and self-reliance oriented NGO activities. At the end of the Workshop, the participants are expected to develop a concrete action plan for appropriate administrative measures for the aged in their respective cities, to be implemented upon their return.

The Workshop is also designed to stimulate the exchange of information and experience among the participants themselves. Therefore, they are expected to participate actively (in English) in discussions and presentations throughout the workshop period. They should be able to adequately use computer software, such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint, since they are expected to prepare and present their action plans during the course of the Workshop.  Please note that participants who attended the Second 2006 Workshop on Population Ageing and Appropriate Measures for the Aged should not attend the Second 2008 Workshop, and the Action Plans developed at the two workshops should be independently implemented.

The workshop is designed to stimulate the exchange of information and experience among the participants themselves. Therefore, they are expected to participate actively (in English) in discussions and presentations during the workshop period.

PARTICIPANTS

The workshop was designed for top or middle-level city officials who has authority to plan and implement policies and programs directed at the aged from 9 AUICK Associate Cities: Chittagong (Bangladesh), Weihai (China), Chennai (India), Surabaya (Indonesia), Kuantan (Malaysia), Faisalabad (Pakistan), Olongapo (Philippines), Khon Kaen (Thailand), and Danang (Vietnam).

Countries are listed in alphabetical order.

Dr. Sun Kailian
Vice Director, Department of Human Resources, Weihai Municipal Government, China

Mr. Ashish Chatterjee
Joint Commissioner (Works), Chennai City, India

Dr. Sri Setiyani
Head of Community Health, Health Department, Surabaya City Government, Surabaya City, Indonesia

Ms. Hamiza Binti Hamzah
Director, Planning and Development Department, Kuantan Municipal Council, Malaysia

Dr. Mian Zahid Malik
District Tuberculosis Control Officer, Department of Health, City District Government Faisalabad, Pakistan

Ms. Genia Reyes Eclarino
Head of Welfare & Development Office, City Social Welfare Officer), Olongapo City Government, The Philippines

Ms. Surang Panoi
Director, Social Welfare Department, Khon Kaen Municipality, Thailand

Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hong
Vice Director, Department of Labour, Invalids Social Affairs, Danang People’s Committee, Vietnam

Interpreter

Mr. Sun Chenggong (For the Weihai participant)
Chief, Foreign Affairs Office, Weihai Municipal Government, China 

Dr. Kuntoro (For the Surabaya participant)
Professer of Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia

Ms. Puttatida Choeisai (Interpreter for the Khon Kaen participant)
English Teacher, Khon Kaen University Language Institute, Thailand

PERIOD

From Sunday 26 October to Monday 3 November 2008

SCHEDULE/PROGRAM

REVIEW

Throughout the Second 2008 Workshop, its participants provided feedback on each component of the workshop program, to provide a guide for the AUICK Secretariat on future workshop implementation.

Presentations were given on health care and policies directed at the welfare of the aged in both Kobe City and the AACs, as well as from a global perspective, and from the viewpoint of UNFPA.

The presentations were described as ‘instructive’ for the participants as city administrators, providing ‘rich information of health conditions of Kobe City’, as well as ‘very informative’, ‘very appropriate’ and ‘enlightening’. Participants also said that the presentations provided an importance chance for the sharing of relevant knowledge and information, and that some of the programs could be implemented in the AACs.

Site visits were arranged to nursing and care homes for the aged in Kobe, as well as the WHO Kobe Center and an academic institute for the over 60s. Participants expressed being deeply impressed by the facilities and services offered to the elderly, as well as by the information gathered from the WHO Center visit. Participants commented that the policies implemented by Kobe City could be replicated in the AACs

The AAC City Reports provided the useful experiences of the cities represented at the workshop, and after being presented with Action Plan guidelines that were ‘very clear, and informative’, the participants drafted plans to improve the welfare of the aged populations in their cities. These plans were re-drafted and presented to members of AUICK’s International Advisory Committee, for further advice as to their implementation. This implementation began upon the participants’ return to their cities, and will be periodically monitored by the AUICK Secretariat.

Workshop participants praised the UNFPA Seminar of 31 October for its citizen audience participation, ‘AUICK’s role on aging and urban development was displayed fully to the public’ through the seminar. The comments and experience shared by IAC members at the seminar were deemed ‘very interesting and of high quality’.

Overall, ‘a good balance of lectures and practical training through field trips’, the ‘appropriate and informative’ level of the course as a whole, and the ‘enhancement of knowledge and skills’ were the comments provided by participants upon the conclusion of the workshop.