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IFA Skim | September 2017
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AFC Initiative in Akita
The International Federation on Ageing is pleased to spotlight the work being done by the city of Akita, Japan in the Age-Friendly Cities Initiatives.
A member of the Age-Friendly Cities Initiatives since 2009, Akita was formally approved by the WHO
to join the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities
and Communities in 2011.
Since then AFC Akita has established two AFC action plans, as well as the Akita Age-Friendly City Partner Program - which partners with corporations and groups that promote an Age-Friendly spirit and take actions to help older people to lead easier and more comfortable lives - amongst many other initiatives.
Some of the results of the work being done by AFC Akita include:
- A discounted fare system on public buses for older persons - the "One-Coin Bus Project"
- A structure to help the public understand the goals of AFC Akita - "The Indicator For Akita Age-Friendly City"
- The Akita Age-Friendly City Partner Program
- Creation and support of 'social participation' activities for older persons residing in Akita
To learn more about the important work being done by AFC Akita,
The ongoing work in Akita continues to benefit from the vision and support of Friends of the International Federation on Aging (FOIFA) - Japan led by Dr. Hisashi Hozumi. It is an independent non-profit organization working together with the International Federation on Ageing and other related NGOs and NPOs to meet the challenges of the ageing population in the world. The many success stories evident in Akita can in part be linked to the global experiences brought to Akita by FOIFA, however, it is clear that the relationship is symbiotic: the age-friendly world benefits by learning from the success stories evident throughout Akita.
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Survey Announcement - "A Study on the Status of Senior Entrepreneurship in Canada"
In 2011, an estimated five million Canadians were 65+; that number is expected to double to reach 10.4 million by 2036. By 2051, about one in four Canadians is expected to be 65+ (
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, 2011). This demographic shift, its speed and its impact and implications will dominate the Canadian social, political and economic landscape for the foreseeable future.
A subset of older adults represented by these numbers is the cohort known as "senior entrepreneurs." In 2012, individuals 50+ made up the fastest growing age demographic for start-ups in Canada, accounting for approximately 30% of the total number of start-ups in the country. Since 1990, the rate of entrepreneurs 50+ has more than doubled itself, and the trend continues to rise. Despite knowing these 2012 statistics, very little is known about the characteristics of older entrepreneurs in Canada - their needs, challenges, interests and their contributions. The field, at this point of time in Canada, is almost a blank slate.
Sheridan College Centre for Elder Research is conducting a study on senior entrepreneurship in Canada, specifically seeking to
address gaps in knowledge about senior entrepreneurship in Canada by investigating the experiences, needs and interests of senior entrepreneurs.
To read more about this survey, click here
To take part in the survey, click here
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Centre for Ageing Better launches annual review
The Centre for Ageing Better has launched its first
annual review, giving an overview of its work over the past year, as well as setting out future plans for achieving its vision of a society where everybody enjoys a good later life.
The Centre for Ageing Better was set up in response to "Ready for Ageing?" - a report delivered by a House of Lords Select Committee, chaired by Ageing Better's Chair, Lord Filkin.
Rather than celebrating the gift and opportunity of longer life, our ageing society is seen as a drain on resources, and ageism is one of the last acceptable forms of prejudice and discrimination. The Centre for Ageing Better's fundamental purpose is to drive the changes needed so that more people will benefit from their longer lives.
Activities from 2016-17 highlighted in the review include:
- The commissioning of two large systematic reviews - one on the role of home adaptations in improving later life, and one on inequalities for people in later life.
- Influencing national strategy on housing, including a submission reflected in the Housing White Paper, emphasising local areas must consider the needs of the ageing population in their housing planning and supply.
- Commissioning practical evidence-based guidance on three key age-friendly workplace practices, working with Business in the Community, on: preventing age bias in recruitment, maximising the benefits of mixed-age teams, and effectively managing flexible working.
- Completing an innovation project with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority - to co-design solutions to worklessness with people over 50 who want to get back into the job market, in five GM boroughs.
- Launching two new areas of work on community contributions and physical activity in later life.
- Supporting the further development of the UK Network of Age-friendly Communities.
To read the full annual review, click here.
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Spotlight On... Lively
The IFA would like to put a spotlight on the work being done by Lively, an Australian start-up that employs young jobseekers to provide meaningful, paid support to older people who need a hand, and engage older people to share skills and experience back with the young.
Lively is founded on the premise that no young or older person should feel unwanted or undervalued because of their age. Lively's mission is to connect generations, create meaningful employment for young jobseekers and increase the connectedness and inclusion of older people in our community.
Lively's mission statement is "We believe that by connecting the many things that young and older people have to offer each other, and by bringing them together to support each other, we can enhance young and older people's sense of worth, value and inclusion in our community, and build a society that better supports and appreciates people of every age."
To learn more about the work being done by Lively, and how to get involved,
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14TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON AGEING
The IFA invites all NGO's, government, industry, academics and individuals with an invested interest in ageing to the IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing in Toronto, Canada on 8-10 August, 2018.
Do not miss the opportunity to hear Key Note Speakers Dr Andres Lozano, Canada Research Chair in Neuroscience and Key Note Speaker and Prof Goldie Nejat, the Director of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the University of Toronto present on some the ground-breaking innovative technology in the field of ageing.
Registration and Abstract Submission are both NOW OPEN for #ifa2018!
Early bird registration closes 7 October 2017
To register for the conference, click
here
To submit an abstract, click
here*
*NB Delegates must register for the conference to submit an abstract but payment is not required.
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