CANADA: Montréal to Host Important International Conference on Ageing in September 2008

Insight into Ageing in Our Societies MONTREAL (CNW Telbec), April 11, 2008: Claude Béland and Irene Hoskins, the co-chairs of the International Federation on Ageing's 9th Global Conference on Ageing, today invited all those who work with older people to come to Montréal for an important international gathering on ageing this September. Accompanied by the Québec Minister Responsible for Seniors, Marguerite Blais, the co-chairs highlighted that the Conference will help focus attention on the major issues affecting the ageing of people and of our societies. T The Montréal event will also highlight the contribution of the design sector in creating quality living environments for older people via the Ageing & Design Montréal Expo from September 4 to 7, 2008. Some 1,500 participants from 60 countries are expected for the conference. "Global ageing is not a transitory phenomenon like the baby-boom which many affluent countries experienced in the 1950s. Ageing is a fundamental shift in the history of mankind and an essential demographic characteristic of the twenty-first century. Researchers, scientists, clinicians, policy-makers and program managers will have an opportunity to share knowledge, expertise and best practices in fields related to ageing, particularly those pertaining to health, participation in society and security of older persons," says Ms. Hoskins. Elected president of the IFA in 2006, Irene Hoskins has been a leading international figure on issues of ageing since the early 80s. Minister Blais said the ministère de la Famille et des Aînés is proud to be associated to such an event. Mr. Béland, Chair of Ageing Design Montréal, pointed out that in many countries populations are ageing rapidly. "The trend toward ageing is so strong in many societies, including here in Québec, that older persons will soon account for almost 25% of the population." To better address the needs that this (r)evolution presents, "key decision-makers who play a role in the lives of seniors must now rethink their policies, adapt their products and reconsider their practices," says Mr. Béland, who, from 1987 to 2000, chaired one of the largest banking cooperatives in the world, the Mouvement des caisses populaires Desjardins. "Today, seniors are demanding more autonomy in their own living environments. Design, which is synonymous with creative planning, is used to create the enabling environments they need," note the two co-chairs. They were joined by local experts, including McGill University's retired Associate Professor of Social Sciences, Sheila Goldbloom, who recently chaired the Québec Government's public consultations on seniors. International Study on Ageing and Retirement During this media meeting, Ms. Hoskins and Mr. Béland were also accompanied by Mr. Robert Landry, Executive Vice President, Life Insurance and Financial Services at AXA , partner of the Conference. Mr. Landry presented highlights of the AXA Retirement Scope, which was conducted in 26 different countries. The study was designed to help improve understanding of aging and retirement, and better learn how, in the various parts of the world, working people and retirees perceive problems related to this phenomenon, and how they react when they are faced with it. The main purpose of this study is to help better understand the issues and challenges of retirement, and learn through living experience how to live a more fulfilling life. "This worldwide unique tool highlights the benefits of living retirement years as a rich and active period of time and suggests ways to attain those benefits. The results of the 2007-2008 edition of the Retirement Scope clearly show how those who prepare themselves not only financially but also psychologically, approach and experience retirement as a exciting, satisfying and fulfilling life phase", explains Mr. Landry. The full results of the study can be obtained at: www.axa.ca. The Conference co-chairs stressed the importance of the ties that bind the design industry to the challenges of an ageing population. "Given the accelerated ageing of the population, we must develop new concepts to improve quality of life, break down barriers and adapt living environments to better serve the needs of older persons. We should note that cities, train stations, airports, subway stations, apartments and seniors' residences, to name but a few, need to be rethought to keep people active in their communities and autonomous in their own homes for as long as possible." These are the challenges that the conference and expo will bring to the fore. Visit www.ageingdesignmontreal.ca