The World Takes a New Look at Aging

Source: Novartis Foundation for Gerontology
July 16, 2002 (Reviewed: July 16, 2004)

To those who associate high-level international conferences with lofty idealism wrapped in carefully crafted non-committal ambiguities, the 2nd World Assembly on Aging provided a refreshing change. Its framework was broad but structured, its aims ambitious but pragmatic, its approach probing and objective. Two items merit particular attention. A central element of the five-day conference (held in Madrid from April 8-12) was the Research Agenda, the crystallization of 4 years of reflection by a multidisciplinary group of experts. Also outstanding was the report of the Valencia Forum, held immediately prior to the Madrid conference. Its review of key issues, its pertinent reflections and recommendations served as practical guidelines to the 160 country delegations attending the World Assembly.

A constant theme throughout the documents and discussions was to look at the issue of aging as an opportunity: an opportunity to review the question of the optimal integration of the elderly in society, urban and rural, developed and developing; to reassess healthcare needs, with health promotion throughout life as a conscious objective; and to better define the scope and requirements of an adequately caring environment. Participants were acutely conscious that the world's population is aging, but to apply the negative stereotypes traditionally applied to the aging process was not only unjust but above all inaccurate and counterproductive.

Sponsors of the UN Agenda on Aging and Valencia Forum were the German and Spanish governments respectively and -- in both cases -- the Novartis Foundation for Gerontology, which has long been associated with international research in this field.

For further details please refer to http://www.valenciaforum.com/raa.html#_Toc6023928

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