Open Educational Resources: Lifelong Learning for Engaged Ageing

Keeping Ageing Population Active, Productive And Engaged: Global Initiatives

As global population of persons aged 60 and over is rising dramatically (WHO, 2008) governments, societies, and researchers are working on various initiatives to keep ageing population active and engaged. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies highlighted discriminatory policies and practices against older persons in the World Disaster Report 2007 and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently conducted a review of scientific research, field reports and expert opinion to inform health action in crises. In 2008-2009, intergovernmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in humanitarian action under UN auspices started to formulate guidelines for more age-responsive policies and practices. Beside these efforts, a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations are also offering their services to make ageing more engaging.

WHO is providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends (http://www.un.org/ageing/) a part of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is formulating age-responsive policies and practices. In Europe, the European Commission has launched an Action Plan for Ageing Well in the Information Society which includes measures to: raise awareness and share good practices; build consensus via stakeholder cooperation; promote policies to stimulate innovation in the public sector and to overcome technical and regulatory barriers to market development; accelerate take-up and innovation; boost research and innovation (European Commission, 2007).