HelpAge Asia

AGen2016: The Asian Conference on Aging and Gerontology
2016-06-09 - 2016-06-12 | Kobe, Japan
AGen2016: The Asian Conference on Aging and Gerontology
Date: 9-12 June 2016
Venue: Kobe, Japan

Organised by the International Academic Forum (IAFOR), the Asian Conference on Aging & Gerontology 2016 will be held at Art Center of Kobe, Kobe, Japan. The theme of the conference is “Justice and Sustainability”.
This international and interdisciplinary conference will bring together a range of academics and practitioners to discuss new directions of research and discovery in education. As with IAFOR’s other events, AGen2016 will afford the opportunity for renewing old acquaintances, making new contacts, and networking across higher education and beyond.

For more information, visit IAFOR’s website

HelpAge Network Global Social Protection Working Group
2016-05-04 - 2016-05-06 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Date: 4-6 May 2016
Venue: Johannesburg, South Africa

Social protection has been a core policy focus for HelpAge International for over two decades, and the last 7 years have seen an intensification of this engagement. The impact from this has been substantial.
HelpAge staff and partners working on social protection at country, regional and international level are better equipped to take forward delivery of HelpAge’s goals on social protection within Strategy 2020.

Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2016
2016-04-03 - 2016-04-05 | Bangkok, Thailand
Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2016

Date: 3-5 April 2016
Location: Bangkok, Thailand

The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) will convene the third session of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD 2016) on 3-5 April 2016, at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. APFSD 2016 will meet on the theme “Regional priorities for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific.”

Further information on the event is available at http://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd3/

“Age-Friendly Environment” for ASEAN+3
2016-02-25 - 2016-02-26 | the Holiday Inn hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand
“Age-Friendly Environment” for ASEAN+3
Date: 25-26 February 2016
Venue: the Holiday Inn hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Faculty of Architecture, Medicine, Nursing, and Humanities and the Social Research Institute of Chiang Mai University, along with the Department of Older Persons, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security are holding the Regional Conference on “Age-Friendly Environment” for ASEAN+3 countries during 25-26 February 2016, at the Holiday Inn, Chiang Mai. The distinguished delegates will be invited so as to exchange the body of knowledge, experience, and good practice on care for the elderly so that appropriate environment will be initiated and prepared for each country in a long term.

A country of old people – Dealing with ageing societies in Asia
2016-02-23 | Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand
A country of old people – Dealing with ageing societies in Asia
Date: 23 February 2016
Venue: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand

A country of old people
Dealing with ageing societies in Asia
A panel discussion
It is one of the region’s most serious and unstoppable trends. South East Asia, once known for its post-war youthfulness, is ageing.
In the biggest economy on the mainland – Thailand – 10 per cent of the population is 65 years old or older. By 2040, 17 million people – a full quarter of the population – will be above 65.
Contributing to this trend is a fall in the birth rate. Thailand’s nation fertility rate is 1.5 per cent; the rate in the capital Bangkok is just 0.8 per cent.
Already, households headed by the elderly are twice as likely to be poor as those headed by people in their 30s and 40s.
The reality of an ageing society with fewer young people in the work force comes as Thailand experiences a phase of economic stagnation, falling foreign direct investment and soaring household debt.
Thailand can learn from other countries – principally Japan. Yet unlike Japan, Thailand will get older before becoming richer – and may be ill equipped to deal with the problem of a much older population.
Join the event to hear experts explore the options for Thailand and other countries facing this tectonic demographic shift that will affect every one of us.
Dr Kirida Bhaopichitr: Since August 2015, Dr Kirida has been Research Director for International Research & Advisory Service at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), a top think tank. Prior to that Dr Kirida was a Senior Economist in Macroeconomics and Fiscal Policy Management Global Practice, and Country Economist for Thailand, at the World Bank. Dr Kirida has significant regional experience, having worked on Lao PDR, Cambodia, and South Asia, and regularly contributed to the World Bank’s bi-annual East Asia and the Pacific Update. In 2010, Dr Kirida spent a year at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC, where she worked on regional issues in East Asia and authored a paper on remittance trends in South Asia. Dr. Kirida earned her Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University.
Eduardo Klien: Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific at HelpAge International, Mr Klien has worked for more than 25 years in social and economic development. He graduated in International Management and Political Science from the University of Oregon, and has a MSc in Economics from El Colegio de México. In 1997 he was appointed Visiting Research Fellow in the Oxford Department of International Development (Queen Elizabeth House) of the University of Oxford. In 2007 he was appointed Research Fellow at the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. Eduardo has worked as Senior Adviser in the Ministry of Planning in Nicaragua, and for Oxfam as Regional Manager for the Horn of Africa and Regional Director for Mexico/Central America. For the last 12 years Eduardo has been living and working in Asia, holding different directive positions in Laos, Vietnam and regionally.
Admission fee:

Free for members
450 bath for non-members

E-mail: info@fccthai.com
Web Site: http://www.fccthai.com

Watch the video

Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors
2016-01-27 - 2016-01-29 | New Delhi, India
Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors
Date: 27-29 January 2016
Venue: New Delhi, India

A three-day focused global South meeting will be organised between 27 and 29 January and hosted by the PWESCR (Programme on Women’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) in New Delhi, India to

achieve an enhanced understanding of national experience, good practices and challenges with regard to promotion, implementation and monitoring of national SPF and comprehensive social security systems for all.
develop a Global Coalition road map from a South perspective to achieve universal SPF targets at country level, which will be shared in the Coalition Core Group meeting in March, 2016 in Geneva.

Social protection is one of the foundations for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. With focused advocacy efforts in collaboration with several stakeholders and partners, the Coalition did succeed in getting social protection included as a key component of Sustainable Development Goals. The Coalition has been effective in its collective international advocacy efforts to demand social security. In the last three years, it has worked around SDGs, Human Rights Council, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and with the EU and has resulted in some promising outcomes.

Visit website: http://www.socialprotectionfloorscoalition.org/

Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2016
2016-01-26 - 2016-01-31 | Bangkok, Thailand
Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2016
Date: 26-31 January 2016
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand

The Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) has been organised as an annual international conference focusing on policy-related public health issues of global significance. The conference is hosted by the Prince Mahidol Award Foundation, the Royal Thai Government and other prestigious global partners. The theme of the Prince Mahidol Award Conference 2016 is “Priority Setting for Universal Health Coverage” focusing on a systematic and transparent approach for providing policy-relevant evidence in order to ensure that limited health resources can be effectively spent to achieve a common goal set by society.
For more information, please visit www.pmaconference.mahidol.ac.th

Sharing of Lessons Learned from Typhoon Haiyan
2016-01-22 | EDSA Shangri-la Hotel Manila, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
Sharing of Lessons Learned from Typhoon Haiyan
Date: 22 January 2016
Venue: EDSA Shangri-la Hotel Manila, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila

The experience gained by HelpAge International and Coaltion of Services of the Elderly in the Typhoon Haiyan response project is an opportunity to share good practices to the HelpAge network as well as to key external agencies including government departments and humanitarian organizations. With this aim a ‘Sharing of Lessons Learned’ meeting will be held at 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on 22 January 2016 at EDSA Shangri-la Manila, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila.
Haiyan lessons learned sharing is expected to be attended by Senior Government officials, Ambassadors and key Embassy officials, Senior Government officials, key officials from the ASEAN secretariat, Humanitarian Agencies and networks such as Philippine International Non- Government Organizations Network (PINGON), Disaster Risk Reduction network, United Nations agencies, Confederation of Older Person Associations of the Philippines (COPAP), and other Older People Organizations.

National summit on ageing in the Philippines
2015-11-24 | Quezon City, Manila, the Philippines
National summit on ageing in the Philippines
Date: 24 November 2015
Venue: Quezon City, Manila, the Philippines

The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) organised the first National Summit on Ageing in the Philippines: A Celebration and A Challenge on 24 November 2015 at SM Skydome. It aimed to discuss the changing demographic structure of the country and set an agenda on ageing that demands actions fit for the challenges of today and the future. Older Persons spoke about the situation of older Filipinos and their hope of a caring society for ageing population. The said event is anticipated to be attended by a thousand participants with 2016 Election Candidates as guest speakers
For further information, please download:

Concept note and programme
Event summary

IAGG Asia/Oceania 2015 Congress
2015-10-19 - 2015-10-22 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Date: 19-22 October 2015
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

The regional congress held by the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) will offer 540 oral presentations and 128 symposiums on clinical medicine, biological, social and behavioural science, social research and planning and four pre-congress courses.
HelpAge East Asia/Pacific as a co-host will run three symposium sessions as follows:

Active older people in emergency response and disaster preparedness (19 October 2015)
The role of the government in ensuring the quality of social care services (20 October 2015)
Older people’s associations role in promoting the health and wellbeing of older people (21 October 2015)

For more information on the IAGG congress please visit IAGG website.

The 5th AgeTalk – HelpAge Korea
2015-10-12 | Unesco Hall, Seoul, Republic of Korea
The 5th AgeTalk – HelpAge Korea
Date: 12 October 2015
Venue: Unesco Hall, Seoul, Republic of Korea

HelpAge International, HelpAge Korea and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRC) held the 5thAgeTalk on October 12th, 2015 at Unesco Hall.
The rankings of the Republic of Korea in the Global AgeWatch Index have been a hot issue due to its low status compared to the country’s high economic level. The event was prepared to discuss the reality of the current welfare level of Korean older people and global and Korean social pension system in terms of human rights of older persons.

Mr. Toby Porter, CEO of HelpAge International, explained the purpose and meaning of the Global AgeWatch Index including the result of Korea.
Professor Hye-ji Choi from Social Welfare division of Seoul Women’s University presented ‘The implementation of the Global AgeWatch Index result to Korea’. Utilizing domestic statistics results, Prof. Choi emphasized that the result of the index is not far from the reality of Korean older people’s life.
Ms. Usa Khiewrod, the Regional Programme Manager of East Asia Pacific Regional Office of HelpAge International addressed the importance of social pensions as income security in old age should be a concern of all ages not about vulnerable group only, and social security in old age is a human right.
Professor Eun-sun Ju from Social Welfare division of Kyunggi University pointed out how the social pension schemes of Korea should be developed and the most urgent issue of Korean social pension scheme is to delinkage with National Pension and Basic Pension.
Agendas for the future from the 5th AgeTalk:

The amount of Basic Pension of Korea should be reached to the relevant level to live
The government should guarantee all the medical expenses of older persons as the major expenditure of Korean older people are spending their money on health care
Expansion of the coverage of medical insurance can deliver greater benefits than increasing incomes of older persons

Lastly, Mr. Porter kindly asked to members of Older People’s Self-Help Group who were participated at the event, and said to the audiences “You will become older someday like these amazing ladies. Old age is all our business!”

NACSCOM/HelpAge International Regional Symposium: “Income Security of Older Persons in an Ever-changing World”
2015-10-11 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
NACSCOM/HelpAge International Regional Symposium: “Income Security of Older Persons in an Ever-changing World”
Date: 11 October 2015
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the National Council of Senior Citizens Organizations Malaysia (NACSCOM), NACSCOM in collaboration with HelpAge International is organising the Regional Symposium: “Income Security of Older Persons in an Ever-changing World”. This Symposium aims to discuss various issues related to financial security of people in the later life, especially considering the challenges of rapid aging. It also highlights the situation of older people in Malaysia and some policy recommendations.
This symposium is co-funded by NACSCOM and HelpAge International under its project on Strengthening the CSO Network on Ageing as a development partner in Southeast Asia funded by the European Union.

Social transfer programmes 2015
2015-10-05 - 2015-10-16 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Social transfer programmes 2015
Date: 5-16 October 2015
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand

The course “Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmes” will be held once again this year from 5-16 October 2015, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This dynamic two-week course aims at providing policy makers, government officials and practitioners with an in depth understanding of the conceptual and practical issues involved in the development of social transfer programmes.
HelpAge works together with the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) to offer this course in partnership with UNU-Maastrict and the Institute of Development Studies.
For more information, please contact Ms Caitlin Littleton at asiacourse@helpageasia.org

Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN) Awards
2015-10-04 | Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City.
Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN) Awards
Date: 4 October 2015
Venue: Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City.

The Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE) organised the 25th Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda Awards on 04 October 2015 at Dr. Aventura Hall, Philippine Heart Center, East Avenue, Quezon City.
This annual event recognises exemplary and inspiring contributions of ten Filipino elderly from different areas in the country.
Read the programme here.

Asia-Pacific Social Protection week (APSP 2016)
2015-08-01 - 2015-08-05 | Manila, Philippines
Asia-Pacific Social Protection week (APSP 2016)
Date: 1 – 5 August 2016
Location: Manila, Philippines

This regional conference will feature recent issues affecting social protection in developing economies and showcase successful stories from countries with advanced social protection systems. APSP 2016 will tackle the relevance of social protection in the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the need for financing comprehensive social protection systems. The week-long event will also touch on emerging areas of social protection that are not yet widely discussed like social protection for informal workers and the role of ICT in social protection delivery.
For more information, visit http://www.adb.org/news/events/asia-pacific-social-protection-week-2016

The sixth session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) in New York
2015-07-14 - 2015-07-26 | New York, the United States
The sixth session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWG) in New York
Date: 14-16 July 2015
Venue: New York, the United States

The sixth session of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on Ageing was held in New York from 14-16 July 2015. The working group was set up in 2010 to discuss the proposals for the content of a new convention to protect older people’s rights.
Older people have been campaigning for their governments to engage in the OEWG process since 2010. A new UN convention would provide governments with a legal framework, guidance and support to help them end discrimination and protect people’s rights in old age. HelpAge has been actively engaging and working to ensure that older people have been a part of this process.
The older activist, Ms. Pham Tuyet Nhung from Vietnam, attended to deliver a statement in support of a new convention. Mr. Edward Gerlock, the Founding Member of Coalition of Services for the Elderly (COSE) from the Philippines, was also invited to be a speaker at the older persons, humanitarian and disaster emergencies session.
HelpAge also made a number of statements throughout the meeting.

Read statements and report:
Statement by Ms. Pham Tuyet Nhung, Vietnam Association for the Elderly (VAE)
Statement by Mr. Do Hung Viet, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Report from Mr Edward Gerlock, Coalition of Services for the Elderly (COSE) from the Philippines.

International Federation on Ageing – 13th Global Conference
2015-06-21 - 2015-06-23 | Brisbane, Australia
International Federation on Ageing – 13th Global Conference
Date: 21-23 June 2016
Place: Brisbane, Australia

The Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from Tuesday 21 – Thursday 23 June 2016. The program will continue to advance IFA’s agendas in Age-friendly Cities and Communities, Aged Care, Elder Abuse and Income Protection as well as focusing on Disasters in an Ageing World. The Conference will incorporate international keynote speakers, oral presentations, posters, exhibition and social events.
For more information on the conference, please visit http://ifa2016.org.au/

Video secondment for communication officers
2015-06-15 - 2015-06-26 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Video secondment for communication officers
Date: 15-26 June 2015
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand

This secondment is part of the EU-funded project “Strengthening the CSO Network on Ageing as a Development Partner in Southeast Asia” and hosted by Foundation for Older Persons’ Development (FOPDEV).
The participants from the Philippines, Cambodia and Vietnam will spend 2 weeks in Chiang Mai, Thailand to learn video production.
FOPDEV will lead the secondment and share their skillful experience on Media work with the participants. The fundamental knowledge, concept, workflow and skills needed for producing attractive presentation and video will be presented. Based on the learning-by-doing approach, the participants will have a chance to experiment the software, practice and develop a short video.

ROK-ASEAN Regional Conference on Community-based Services for Older Persons
2015-05-26 - 2015-05-29 | Siem Reap, Cambodia
Date: 26-29 May 2015
Venue: Siem Reap, Cambodia
The proportion and number of population of older persons in ASEAN has been increasing consistently due to rising life expectancy and falling fertility rates. With this increasing ageing population, there is a growing need for welfare and health services for older persons because of vulnerability and chronic diseases in old age.
To respond to the needs of ASEAN Member Countries, HelpAge Korea has implemented a project titled “Community based Services for Older Persons” since July 2013. The project aims to develop community-based service model in collaboration with a focal point of partner organisations in CLMV countries and to contribute to regional efforts in addressing care and support needs of older people suffered from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
As the project will come to an end in June 2015, HelpAge Korea in collaboration with HelpAge EAPRO will hold a regional conference on community-based services for older persons on 26-29 May 2015 in Cambodia.The conference will cordially invite one representative from Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and NGO each in 10 ASEAN Member Countries. The main objectives are to share the outcomes of the above-mentioned regional project implementation with 10 ASEAN Member Countries and to develop policy recommendations on Community based Services for Older Persons.

ASEAN Active Ageing 2015
2015-05-22 - 2015-05-24 | Bangkok, Thailand
ASEAN Active Ageing 2015
Date: 22-24 May 2015
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand

The Thai Red Cross Society and Chulalongkorn University will organise the 3rd National Conference on Ageing and Elderly under the them “ASEAN Active Ageing 2015″ from 22 to 24 May 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The conference objectives are:

To update knowledge and understanding on bio-medical and social sciences and integrative issues on ageing
To discuss the use and application of knowledge, research and study results, experiences, technology and innovation to improving services and quality of life of the elderly
To share models, lessons learned and policy recommendations on preparing and developing an Ageing Society in Thailand and ASEAN+ countries (ASEAN countries plus others such as China, Japan and Republic of Korea, etc.)
To promote engagement of all sectors including elderly for development of Ageing Society and the elderly

There will be 4 plenary sessions and 52 parallel sessions. The presentations will range from knowledge, research findings and studies to lessons-learned, experiences, policy recommendations, models and example programs from academicians, researchers, students, leaders of different levels and sectors, executives/administrators, practitioners, stakeholders, concerned parties and the elderly.
For more information, please visit http://ageing.md.chula.ac.th/2015/ or email to ageingconference@chula.ac.th

Capacity Building Support to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare: Study Tour to Vietnam
2015-05-18 - 2015-05-22 | Hanoi, Vietnam
Date: 18 -22 May 2015
Venue: Hanoi, Vietnam
A number of countries in ASEAN, including Vietnam, have initiated new social protection policies and programmes which are generating new learning on best practice for implementing social protection in low- and middle-income countries.
The Laos Social Protection Conference, which was hosted by the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (GOL) in February, has created more interest social protection issue among relevant government agencies. Two speakers from the government agency and academic institute in Vietnam participated in the event and shared the Vietnam experience. Laos and Vietnam have already been in regular exchange learning on different policy issues .The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) is now keen to further learn and discuss the social protection with the government of Vietnam, and to apply to development of social protection in the country.
Learning through sharing experience between countries is one of the most effective ways for capacity building on different areas of development. Therefore, a series of study tour on social protection to ASEAN countries and beyond was included as one of the key activities to enhance capacity on social protection strategy for GoL staff, and the first one is a visit to Vietnam.
The study tour aims to provide an opportunity for GoL staff to expose and learn about different social protection policies and programmes in Vietnam. It will focus on non-contributory social assistance and productive safety nets in the context of a life cycle approach. This is because it is relatively underdeveloped in Laos, and Vietnam has wealth of experience to share.

2015-04-27 | Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
COSE nomination to ASEAN Leaders Interface
Date: 27 April 2015
Venue: Kuala Lampur, Malaysia

As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will organise the ASEAN Leaders’ Interface with representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Youth representatives during the 26th ASEAN Summit, to be held on 27 April 2015 in Kuala Lampur.
The Coalition of Services of the Elderly (COSE) has been invited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to attend the meeting as the Philippine CSO representative, on behalf of older people. COSE will be the one of 10 NGOs in a 30 minute meeting with the heads of state.
Congratulations on COSE’s nomination!

Expert Group Meeting on the Development of Older People’s Association
2015-03-25 08:00 - 2015-03-26 17:00 UTC | Hotel Santika Premiere, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Date: 25-26 March 2015
Venue: Hotel Santika Premiere, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), in collaboration with Yayasan Emong Lansia and HelpAge International will conduct an Expert Group Meeting on the Development of Older People’s Association. The meeting is intended to strengthen Indonesia’s national social protection policy and to support the drafting process of the 2015-2019 National Action Plan for Older People.
The meeting will cover the following topics:

Older People’s Policy Direction in the National Midterm Development Plan 2015-2019
Long-Term Care Policy and Services for the Elderly in East Asia, Options for Indonesia to Consider
Older People’s-Related Policy Analysis in Indonesia
National Older People’s Movement and Its Network
CSOs & OPAs in Indonesia
Options for Indonesia
Further Plans and Steps

The HelpAge Intergenerational Self-Help Club model which is successfully implemented in Vietnam will be also shared.

The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-03-14 - 2015-03-18
The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction

The 3rd UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) will be held from 14 to 18 March 2015 in Sendai City, Japan. Several thousand participants are expected, including at related events linked to the World Conference under the umbrella of building the resilience of nations and communities to disasters.
The United Nations General Assembly Resolution for 2013 on International Strategy for Disaster Reduction states that the World Conference will result in a concise, focused, forward-looking, and action-oriented outcome document and will have the following objectives:

To complete assessment and review of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action;
To consider the experience gained through the regional and national strategies/institutions and plans for disaster risk reduction and their recommendations as well as relevant regional agreements within the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action;
To adopt a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;
To identify modalities of cooperation based on commitments to implement a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction;
To determine modalities to periodically review the implementation of a post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction.

Delegates from HelpAge International are going to attend and advocate for inclusion of older people in to the post-2015 framework for disaster risk reduction. Along with participation in the exhibition and World Bank session with older people from Japan and Philippines, we are going to officially launch the first Disaster Risk and Age Index, ranking 190 countries across the world on the disaster risk faced by older people, on the IGNITE stage.

For more information of the WCDRR, please visit the conference website.
For information on Disaster Risk and Age Index, please visit our press release.

ASEAN+3: Are We Ready for Our Ageing Society?
2015-03-03 - 2015-03-05 | Chiang Mai, Thailand
Date: 3-5 March 2015
Venue: Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Office of Promotion and Protection of Children, Youth, the Elderly and Vulnerable Groups (OPP) Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, (MSDHS), Thailand will conduct the regional workshop on “ASEAN+3: Are We Ready for Our Ageing Society?” at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The workshop aims to learn and share knowledge and experiences on the situation of older people, policies, good practices and the implementations, challenges and ways forward for ASEAN+3 countries as well as to develop guidelines and initiatives on elderly cooperation among ASEAN+3 community.

Community-based social care: What is the role of the state?
2015-01-27 - 2015-01-28 | Bangkok, Thailand
Date: 27-28 January 2015
Venue: Bangkok, Thailand
HelpAge East Asia and Pacific Regional Office in collaboration with the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand will organised a regional workshop entitled “Community-based social care: What is the role of the state?” in Bangkok, Thailand. This event is supported by the European Union.
The aim of this regional workshop is to stimulate the discussion on the role of government in promoting community-based care for older people with an emphasis on social care.
At least 50 participants from East and Southeast Asia are expected, the majority from government but others representing civil society, academia and international agencies.

For more information please contact Ms Usa Khiewrord
usa@helpageasia.org
+66 (0) 53 225440

For summary of the event, agenda and presentations, click here

Community Driven Development training for development practitioners
2015-01-12 - 2015-01-16 | Hanoi, Vietnam
Community Driven Development training for development practitioners
Date: 12-16 January 2015
Venue: Hanoi, Vietnam

HelpAge Vietnam country office (HAIV) will organise a one-week capacity building programme entitled “Community Driven Development (CDD) training for development practitioners” for better understanding of various approaches to community-drivern development.
The core methodologies and development strategies used in the training course focus on practical and doable individual, community and organisational level development skill and people friendly tools as a crucial base for the CDD training programme. Field exposure visits to HAIV community development programmes deepen understanding of how CDD concepts are applied and achieve practical and sustainable results.

Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons
2014-12-09 - 2014-12-10 | United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand
Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons
Date: 9-10 December 2014
Venue: United Nations Conference Center, Bangkok, Thailand

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is organizing a Regional Expert Consultation on Long-term Care of Older Persons, 9-10 December 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand. The Consultation is being organized in the context of a project implemented in partnership with the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, and builds upon the outcomes of the Asia-Pacific Expert Group Meeting on Long-Term Care held in Shanghai in December 2013.
Read more detail and concept note: http://www.unescapsdd.org/events/regional-expert-consultation-long-term-care-older-persons

COSE 25th anniversary
2014-11-30 | St. Paul University Theater, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines
COSE 25th anniversary
Date: 30 November 2014
Venue: St. Paul University Theater, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines

Heart unwrinkled: 25 years of growing in age and grace
Established in November 1989, the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, Inc. (COSE) is the only non-government organisation working with poor older people in urban and rural areas in the Philippines.
Believing in the importance of older people in the community to share their experiences and wisdom, and to teach us all about our own ageing, COSE works to ensure that older people remain active in the community, thereby enabling to continue contributing to the welfare of the greater society.
This year, COSE is now on its 25th year. To celebrate this remarkable journey, COSE will organise an annual event ‘The Elderly Filipino Week’ on 30 November 2014. The celebration provides a timely opportunity for the organization to honour 10 outstanding older people in the Philippines through a programme called Sampung Ulirang Nakatatanda (SUN). This is to recognise the important contributions of older persons to society. SUN awardees have been chosen from different sectors, including those of farmers, women, disabled persons and tribe members, who, one way or another, have rendered exemplary service to their respective communities.
The ceremony will also feature other 15 awardees from different sectors, including 5 each from the local government, who have been exemplary in addressing the issues of the elderly, 5 from media for their promotion of the issues and rights of the elderly, and an additional 5 special awards.
As part of the 25th Anniversary celebration, COSE continues to arrange a series of activities in January next year:

Intergenerational Fun Run “Young ones for the young once” – Flock of students with their grandma and grandpa will hit the road as the event seeks to partner with colleges and universities in the metro. It will provide opportunities for intergenerational learning and promoting activities that foster stronger family ties.
Photo Exhibition – Internationally recognized Filipino photographer, Rick Rocamora, offered his considerable skills to interpret the 25 year event. The exhibition will feature a sampling of thousands of older people, who late in life both shared and received the singular grace of service.

KOICA Lesson Learned Workshop for year-end 2014 in Myanmar
2014-11-08 - 2014-11-09 | Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Date: 8-9 December 2014
Venue: Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region, Myanmar
Year-end review workshop was held for two days (8-9 December 2014) at Kayin Baptist Church, Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region. The total 45 OPSHG members from KOICA project, NSA project (MYA 038), and National Federation representatives attended the workshop for sharing the sustainability of OPSHG.
The target topics of the whole workshop discussion are Livelihoods, IGV/Fundraising, Health, Participation of women and monthly meeting, the role of TNCs, and the sustainability of OPSHG highlighting on three main sectors: Achievements, Challenges, and Ways to overcome. There was parallel discussion for each pair of topics among 6 groups (3 groups for livelihoods and 3 groups for IGV at the same time) and group presentation came out of respective teams. All the feedbacks from each presentation were revised for the next year action plan at the end of the workshop and those recommendations from OPSHG were more likely to be practical.
There was a better together session in which sample movie clip of Vietnamese OPA’s monthly meeting and learning Korean physical exercises were organised by Ms. Jiweon Lee (HAK). After wrapped up and evaluation, the fruitful outcomes of this workshop was visible to all the participants for their upcoming year plan.
