Various International Programmes that are being organized by UN INIA for Ageing in 2011

The dramatic and unprecedented increase in the number and proportion of older persons in the World will lead to unique political, economic and social consequences. In developing countries, where by the year 2025, seventy-two per cent of the World’s older persons will live, this demographic development will pose a particular challenge. Although a number of developing countries have initiated various innovative and concrete measures aimed at meeting the needs of older persons, there exists an acute shortage of trained care-givers at all levels in the field of Gerontology.



See Various course in 2011:

UN INIA International Training Programme in Social Gerontology : 14 - 25 February 2011, Malta: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2011/01/un-inia-international-training.html

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME IN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF AGEING :14 - 25 March 2011, Malta: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2011/01/international-programme-in-economic-and.html

UN INIA INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME IN HEALTH PROMOTION,QUALITY OF LIFE & WELL-BEING of Elderly : 2 – 13 May 2011, Malta: http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2011/01/un-inia-international-programme-in.html

Contact:
International Institute on Ageing, United Nations - Malta, 117, St. Paul Street,
Valletta VLT 1216, MALTA.
Telephone: (+356) 21-243044/5/6
Telefax : (+356) 21-230248
E-mail: programmes@inia.org.mt
Web site: http://www.inia.org.mt


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Social Justice Through Health Care

We just come across a person who can fully comply with the provision of health care system either by the government or the private sector to perform to be met. This is true not only for developing countries, but for all developed countries and true.

Each individual contribution law-abiding has some legitimate state. Disappointment with the current exemption of health care forces people opportunities to better look beyond the boundaries of time. The current flow of patients developed to developing countries took the proportion of medical tourism. Medical tourism is a two-way street. Bad from India are known to visit the Rashid Hospital Lahore for a kidney transplant. Medical tourism is certainly world-class facilities and services our companies offer hospitals. These hospitals now can be an excellent tertiary hospitals. The lack of adequate clinical material, as patients are often cited in parleyences asked medical doctors in the developed world in the medical adventurism.

Recently, two NGOs, led by renowned plastic surgeon from India have been in India, who claim that their credit carried hundreds of cleft lip and palate surgery in a week. During my brief interaction when I asked a fundamental question, how do you justify the step of the operation by a single specialist for a clinical entity that requires 3-5 operations of 10 specialists over 20 years There was no response. On the record, all the local doctors to conduct these operations.

These NGOs to bring a number of medical residents for the trainees hands on training. The introduction of questionable services and drugs continues unabated in the absence of strict regulation. Clear guidelines and to date that health authorities have so far Safe Guard are adopted, the health interests of the nation. Most drugs in developed countries are still allowed to be thrown into the Indian market. Trade only determines the orientation of MNEs in the health sector in developing countries.

State and national medical associations that are controlled, the guardians of our national interests of the health of representatives elected from among the physicians. Competitive populism is chosen for this high office has the bite of these same regulators.

In this "market forces" based health care, besides other factors, population size, economic prosperity and reading and research to dictate by major players. Subjective and objective evaluation of the operations of health care, leaving people confused with huge piles of data and interpretations without end. At the end of the Govt. Health Care Delivery System is the pharmacy or the transformation of rural slums, middle, and end user of a villager or illiterate or semi illiterate slum dwellers. Dispensary is the human face, can the welfare state to this day the people. The years of service were under the same social class, which they serve. Doctor can be a friend, philosopher and guide to the locals. Unfortunately, the differences between economic and social services, doctors and the public service users has increased dramatically. Ad Hocism health care should be taken with immediate effect. Doctors and medical personnel on contract basis will be appointed each year not shown an interest in national programs. Founded in suppliers of private health care did not demonstrate a significant commitment to national programs. Middle-class itself fragmented. Now it is fashionable to economic values to the question of how to allocate the sexes, but for social responsibility and justice.

In this era of rapid growth, is not organized, millions suffer in silence can not be evaded. After reading a quote on biodiversity, I came across a very interesting ", only economically important species will survive." In our active pursuit of economies of magnetization, we assign economic value, just for morale. Commercialization of education has a new generation of professionals who have produced little regard for professional ethics.

Privatization is the watchword, with governments, because it deprives the government. Private actors see too many "viable" institutions of health care. There are no prospects for economically viable institutions in rural areas. Rural health facilities of social medicine. More recently quoted one of the main actors of the private sector, health care, the development cost of a bed in the hospital sector to Rs 30-60 Lacs. These health care businesses are definitely beyond a common man. Such hospitals are certainly a nation with the current rate of growth "Bharat" is essential for different types of hospitals. There are strong social movements against exploitation in respect of private health services, inadequate public sector resources for health care and indifference to the welfare state.

Health for all is a very high, but expensive. There are ways to reduce the pressure of public institutions. Public-private health insurance, supervision and regulation of health care in the private sector can all do something as simple as that. Health education can go a long way in improving public health. Community participation produces health care has some, but wonderful examples.

An additional financial contribution from the employee may be led to minor defects, but significant in the public health system. Installing the company health care with the help of the World Bank has already improved the Government's work. Field of public health facilities significantly.

Community participation through NGOs can further improve the system, but most NGOs meaning turns back Govt. operate facilities for health care because of their doubts about the integrity of officials. Government establishment of health care increasingly seen not as hospital care, but as police stations, which are written medico legal reports and conducted autopsies.

Most of the time, the government doctors is to appear in court as lawyers issued medical witnesses. Emergency post-mortem and VIP functions also allow only doctors free to meaningful work for public hospitals. There is an urgent need for the separation of curative, preventive, law, administration and the intelligence wing of health. Public hospitals draw the poorest of the poor, the informal sector, particularly those of the. Their contribution to national GDP is far from small.

With the current rate of growth is upward social mobility in all segments of society. Many segments of the formal sector can be organized so that they enjoy the patronage of the welfare state in the form of health insurance. Besides the direct benefit to run these segments of society, the status of "working off" the tax burden on the health benefits of government, they led the charge on private health insurance.

Poorest of the poor is the belief in the welfare state alone. Sanjivini, health insurance with the Milkmen Cooperative Punjab is already a huge success. ECHS (Ex-soldiers Contributory Health Scheme) is another success story. These successes can be similar panwallas be dhabewallas replicated with many groups, drivers etc. autorikshaw easily organize the informal sector. There is no shortage of role models in the ranks of government doctors. Their inclusion as a drift to dissent from the current exemption for providers of health care is considerable improvement in the system. The stability of their functions is to provide an excellent incentive for the government, Doctors Without fresh Treasury. But his term of office for decades, should be discouraged because it leads to a change of interests of older established companies and denial of opportunities for youth. Adequate resources is a major problem in the Govt. run health system.

There are pharmacies, where specialists will be deployed, and many other civilian hospitals, where non-specialists will be deployed. This results in defects in the care of abusive and ineffective health. Hospitals have nodal tower rescue services clock cannibalize broken and diseased organs in which crores worth of equipment used is not bleeding and content to create invoices know the state treasury.

Most retired doctors in the management of the same rank. This unnecessary stagnation has forced many doctors a brilliant service. For the simple search options for the place of posting, the honest implementation with minimal displacement of merit can also stimulate new govt. Executive doctors.

Private Sector Health Care Delivery System is a fully market-oriented operating company. The so-called "market forces" at least have the respect of ethical and moral values. Sales Channels multi-levels have developed in the name of the referral system. End result is the use of common unsuspecting husband, who still considers his person a holy healer. This incentive "system is to strengthen the influence of doctors unskilled, unscrupulous and unregistered at the illiterate masses. Not many qualified doctors are unscrupulous.

Much of the providers of private health care really feel threatened by blackmailers of all kinds. Consumer Protection Act is very comfortable to stick in the hands of their executioners.
Under the constant threat of extortion is that providers of private health care are becoming more defensive posture. Other patients are only in tertiary care for this reason called the flooding referral institutions. People have the common sense that the disease is an invitation for use in the hands of suppliers of private health care.

Even non-profit hospitals are charging as much as a purely private hospitals. Medical profession is fully responsible and capable of correcting itself. Medical associations and organizations can work together to develop a fail safe mechanism to keep black sheep under control, even without government help, but ultimately with the government. Welfare is the State duty, not only in the provision of health care delivery system, but also proper management of health care and social justice through their mechanism of health care.


By Dr. Pardeep Kumar Sharma
omfspardeep @yahoo. com


Source: http://healthtable.com/health-care/social-justice-through-health-care.html


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Important resource for Alternative Media

Alternet
AlterNet is a project of the Independent Media Institute, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to strengthening and supporting independent and alternative journalism
http://www.alternet.org/

openDemocracy
openDemocracy is an online global magazine of politics and culture, and a source for the media for analysis, debate and discussion of global affairs
http://www.opendemocracy.net/

Indymedia
The Independent Media Center is a network of collectively run media outlets that aims to present radical, accurate accounts of the truth to counter the versions presented by the corporate media
http://www.indymedia.org/

Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders, an international news website devoted to press freedom, works to ensure the right of all people to be informed and to this end, fights to reduce the use of censorship and the use of laws that restrict press freedom
http://www.rsf.org/


Sarai
Sarai, a programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies/CSDS is a space for research, practice and conversation about contemporary media and urban issues
http://www.sarai.net/

India Media-Watch Institute
The India Media-Watch Institute (IMWI) is an international media watch group that seeks balance, fairness, accuracy, and diversity in the English language media's reporting of events and the analyses of issues pertaining to India
http://www.media-watch.org

South Asia Citizens Web
The SACW is an independent space on the internet to promote the exchange of information between and about citizens initiatives from South Asia and its diasporic communities
http://www.sacw.net/


Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Training Program in Resource Mobilisation & Management (July – Nov 2009)

This program aims at building capabilities of individuals/ organisation in the domain of Fund Raising & Resource Management.


Introduction

The number of organisations seeking to mobilise resources & raise funds has grown rapidly in the last few years.

International donors, private foundations and international NGOs have all been decentralising their operations and there have been dramatic shifts in thematic and geographic focus for aids.

There is a huge shortage of professionally trained resource management and resource mobilisation personnel.

S P Jain Institute of Management & Research and Resource Alliance, U.K., has stepped in to fill this gap.


SPJIMR- Center for DOCC

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) is rated amongst the top ten B-schools in the country. The entire learning process at SPJIMR is focused on inculcating in participants sensitivity to the real-world issues and an ability to become leaders in their chosen fields.

The Centre for Development of Corporate Citizenship (DOCC) has been established in the year 2001 based on SPJIMR's philosophy of "Value based growth" and "Influencing practice". Through DOCC we aspire to create a movement to:

· Build the managerial potential of the institute's participants and faculty to make them sensitive to Indian ethos and culture.

· Act as a medium to create a network of ngo's and the corporate sector for sustained and enhanced impact of development processes on society.



Resource Alliance, U.K.

The Resource Alliance is an international network, whose mission is to build the fundraising and local resource mobilisation capacity of the voluntary sector worldwide. Resource Alliance is a UK registered charity and has 501c3 status in the US. Resource Alliance's vision is of a strong voluntary sector throughout the world, working to the highest ethical standards of accountability and stewardship.


Program Objectives :

The specific objectives of the program are:

· To provide a quality program of training in Resource Mobilization and Management.

· To provide systematic, sustained and professional input that is accessible, yet affordable and internationally recognized.

· To provide value to all stakeholders - participants, sponsoring organizations, SPJIMR, Resource Alliance, U.K. and society and community at large.



Program Output :

By the end of the program, the participant will be able to:

· Establish and communicate a case for support for their organization

· Plan, budget, implement and analyse a resource mobilisation activity

· Manage themselves effectively and create productive working relationships with others

· Identify the resourcing requirements of their organisation and establish appropriate strategies for meeting these needs


Pedagogy :

This training has been designed as a participatory programme that would build-upon the experiential learning of participants. The pedagogy focuses on interactive group learning and aims both at knowledge development and skill upgradation through peer learning. Case Studies, readings and reflection are an important component of the programme.


Course Structure and Content :

The course will cover the following topics:

· Role and relationships of state, business and voluntary sector

· Public policy environment within which non-profits operate

· Main sources of non-profit funding and support

· Donor motivations and trends in giving – including individual philanthropy and faith based giving

· The basic principles of fundraising – the fundraising cycle

· Relationship between organizational mission and plans and the fundraising function

· Ethics, accountability and transparency

· Relationship between organisational communications and resource mobilisation – image, visibility, credibility

· Principles of good communication

· How to effectively communicate what the non-profit does and needs using a range of techniques including print, telephone, face to face, and email/web.

· Working with the mass media

· Donor prospecting and research

· Basic introduction to databases

· Fundraising techniques – including face to face, mail, internet, events, corporate partnerships, grant seeking, and working with government agencies

· Mobilising and working with volunteer support

· Generating revenue through business type activities

· Planning, budgeting, implementing and analysing resource mobilisation activities

· Strategic planning, including financial planning, monitoring and evaluation

· Managing self (self-awareness, time management, stress management) and others (suppliers, volunteers, staff)



There are 5 modules to be covered within a period of 4 months

Fundamentals of Resource Mobilization


This module introduces participants to the role of civil society organisations and resource mobilization.


By the end of this module, participants will be able to:

- Identify likely sources of support; and

- Articulate a case for support that justifies why their organization exists and why it deserves support, while taking into account these sources.



Communication Skills for Effective Resource Mobilization


Fund Raisers spend almost 70 % of their time communicating. Thus good communication skills are essential to ones career, and they are often the chief criteria of employers in both hiring and promotion decisions. This course aims to provide the students with skills needed to function successfully in today’s competitive world.

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

-Improve their ability to communicate more effectively, orally, non –verbally and in writing.



-Value the differences between themselves and others and to employ that understanding to improve the quality of their communication.

-Recognize and value the diverse contributions of all members of an organization

-Develop competence with the process of informative and persuasive communication that can be used as an individual or as a team.

-Deal with all sorts of communication oral and written, like letters, proposals, meetings and seminars, using effective communication for leadership, persuasiveness, consensus building, initiative and cooperation.



Building relationships for effective Resource Mobilization


This module introduces participants to researching and sustaining relations with all types of donors – individuals, companies, grant-making organizations and the government.



By the end of this module,participants will be able to:

-Analyze an organization’s existing donor base and its potential for growth;

-Put in place donor reporting systems and procedures, including a donor database; and

-Research and sustain relationships with all types of donors.





Income from Individuals & Enterprise


This module introduces participants to basic resource mobilization techniques:



By the end of the module, the participants will be able to:

-Choose from a range of techniques those best suited to their organisation’s needs; and

-Demonstrate knowledge of how to execute these techniques successfully


Strategy & Planning


This module introduces participants to the steps in drafting a three-year strategy and plan for resource mobilization.



By the end of this module, students will produce a draft resource mobilization strategy for three years that summarizes the

- Strategic direction in terms of income mix, with targets;

- Organisation’s capacity to achieve the targets;

- Methods to achieve the desired income mix and targets within the expenditure outlined; and

- An action plan for the future.




Program Duration:



The program is modeled on " The work place as a laboratory". Classroom sessions will be held at SPJIMR campus –twice a week for a period of four months.

Friday Evening - 3 hours (5-8 pm)
Saturday Full Day - 6 hours (10am –4pm)

Total contact hours: 108 hours

No of days = 32 days

Duration = 4 months

There will be one-week gap after the completion of each module for home based assignments.

Learning from classroom sessions will be implemented and practiced in the work place as a continuous experiential learning process.


Eligibility:

This Program is meant for staff, volunteers and individuals from any nationality, involved in Fund Raising & Resource Management activities in the social sector.


· Bachelor's Degree in any discipline

· Experience of either 2years fulltime, or 3 years as a volunteer in social sector.

· Basic Computer literacy

· Fluency in the English language

· Good Communication Skills



Fee Structure:

The fee for the 4-month training program is Rs 15000. The fee is inclusive of the following:

· Admission

· Tuition fee

· Course Material

· Textbook

· Presentation Handout

· Reference material

· Case study copies

· Lunch on Saturdays during the contact.

· Library membership fee for four months

· Examination Fees



Resource Person:

SPJIMR faculty along with experts in Fund Raising from NGOs will be anchoring the program. Visiting international faculty will also be providing inputs as and when available.


Application Process:

Application Forms will be available at SPJIMR Centre for DOCC, Bhavans College Campus, Munshi Nagar, Dadabhai Road, Andheri(W), Mumbai - 400 058 .Tel no: 61460316,

.

Application forms can also be downloaded from http://spjimr.org/cprmm/registration.asp



For Further details

Contact: Nirja Mattoo,Chairperson-DOCC,SPJIMR , Ext 315


Pradnya Surve - Coordinator-CPRMM, SPJIMR , Ext 316



Please go to the following link for further details:http://spjimr.org/cprmm/cprmm_home.asp





Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

Apply for UN Training Programme in Policy Formulation for Ageing:2009

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGEING,United Nations - Malta in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Invites Application for INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME in POLICY FORMULATION, PLANNING,IMPLEMENTATION and MONITORING of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing on 12 – 23 October 2009.

BACKGROUND
The dramatic and unprecedented increase in the number and proportion of older persons in the World is leading to various political, economic and social consequences and challenges. In developing countries, where by the year 2025, seventy-two per cent of the World’s older persons are expected to be living, this demographic phenomenon will pose a particular challenge. Although a number of developing countries have initiated various innovative and concrete measures aimed at meeting the needs of older persons, there exists an acute shortage of trained care-givers at all levels in the field of Gerontology. In February 2007, the United Nations began its five-year review of progress towards the achievement of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing agreed upon by the international community at the Second World Assembly on Ageing which took place in Madrid, in April 2002.

OBJECTIVES
This multi-disciplinary Training Programme in Social Policy, designed by an International Expert Group, is aimed at discussing the implications of population ageing, underscore the importance of including ageing issues in a country’s development planning and discuss options for policy formulation and programme / services’ implementation. It also aims at providing a broad and up-to-date understanding of the complex and far-reaching consequences of mass longevity. Participants are helped to evolve and implement appropriate policies, that will ensure the quality of life and well-being of older persons in their own society.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
The programme consists of lectures, seminars, site visits and workshops. Topics dealt with include: 1) understanding the commitments of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing as well as the Regional Implementation Strategies; 2) ensuring that policies in response to population ageing have a holistic approach and are implemented in a coordinated manner over a wide range of policy areas; 3) exploring ways of facilitation the participation of all stakeholders namely: governments, civil society, the family, the community and the older persons themselves; 4) collecting and disseminating the best knowledge and evidence based practices available regarding adequate policy responses to population ageing and 5) monitoring progress towards the achievement of the Priority Directions and Recommendations of the Madrid Plan of Action.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS COURSE:
Applications are invited from policy-makers and decision-makers in the field of Ageing in developing countries. They should be directly engaged in policy and decision-making for older persons in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors in their own country.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Interested persons and organisations may apply by sending the following to:
The Director, International Institute on Ageing, 117 St. Paul Street, Valletta VLT 1216, MALTA

1. An application form which is available through the Institute's web-site or directly from INIA.
2. Proof of proficiency in English.
3. A letter of recommendation from the Director of your Organisation.
4. A personal letter (giving reasons for attending the course).
5. Copies of relevant certificates.

Closing date for applications is 12 August 2009.

Course Fee: US$ 1750 (includes tuition, board-accommodation and meals but excludes travel).
INIA might have available a limited number of partial scholarships. However, since this is not guaranteed, it is in the interest of prospective candidates to secure alternative funding.

Contact:
International Institute on Ageing (United Nations - Malta),
117, St. Paul Street,
Valletta VLT 1216,
MALTA
Telephone: (+356) 21-243044/5/6
Telefax : (+356) 21-230248
E-Mail: rosette.bonello@inia.org.mt
Web site: http://www.inia.org.mt/

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

“International Training Programme in Social Gerontology” Feb 2009 Report

UN INIA (International Institute on Ageing, United Nations) at Malta has conducted “International Training Programme in Social Gerontology” from 16^th Feb to 27^th Feb 2009.

Sailesh Mishra managing committee member of ARDSI Mumbai and Founder President of Silver Inning Foundation was one of the eleven selected people around the globe to be selected for this prestigious International Training Programme at Malta. Also from India was Research Scholar Sangeeta Kumari from IIPS, Mumbai.

For this programme the selected people were provided Partial Scholarship by INIA for Full Board accommodation including Tuition and accident insurance. Sailesh Mishra could not have attended this Training without timely partial funding for To and Fro Travel expense by Bangalore base NGO ‘Nightingales Medical Trust’.

This programme was aimed at providing a broad and up-to-date understanding of the complex and far-reaching consequences of mass longevity. Participants were helped to evolve and implement appropriate policies that will ensure for older persons, a high quality of life in their own society.

The programme consists of lectures, seminars, site-visits and workshops. Topics dealt with include: Basic Concepts in Social Gerontology; Demographic Determinants and Consequences; Socio-Cultural Changes and their impact; Economics of Ageing; Environment and Ageing; Health Aspects of Ageing; Social Care in the Family, Community and Institutions; Communication Skills; and the Needs of Special Concern Groups.

Through the use of workshops, participants were enabled to pursue in small groups the following skills: Social Policy Development and Community Development Programmes and Services.

The programme was Inaugurated by The Hon. Mr. Mario Galea Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, Malta Government and Professor Joseph Troisi, Director, INIA.

The International Faculty included : Professor Joseph Troisi, Director, INIA ; Dr. Osama M. Rajkhan , UNESCAP; Dr. Gordon Cordina , Faculty of Economics Malta University; Dr. Ray Xerri , Director Policy & Planning ,Malta; Professor P.V. Ramamurti ,Hon Director Center for Research on Ageing – SVU Tirupati ; Rev. Professor Emmanuel Agius , Dean Faulty of Theology, Malta and Ing. Alexander Tranter, CEO Care Malta.

The entire participants were given The Certificate of Participation on last day of the programme.

Ms. Rosette Farrugia-Bonello, Programme Manager – INIA, was the master of this Training Programme which also included Country Report presentation and site visits to Elder Care Facility in Malta.

About Sailesh Mishra:

Sailesh is Founder President of Silver Inning Foundation and has experience of around four years in the Elderly segment. He found that this segment is the most neglected and ignored. He has left his well paid corporate job of fifteen year marketing experience to work in the field of social work. He is also actively involved with SSS global and ARDSI. He has launched a dedicated Website for Elderly www.silverinnings.com. He also has to his credit two Blogs: http://peopleforsocialcause.blogspot.com/ and

http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/ .

About INIA:

The Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted in 1982 by the World Assembly on Ageing, and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 37/51, recommended, inter alia, the promotion of training and research, as well as the exchange of information and knowledge in order to provide an international basis for social policies and action.

In this respect, the Plan recommended that practical training institutes should be promoted and encouraged so that they act as a practical bridge between and among developed and developing countries.

The Institute was inaugurated on 15 April, 1988 by the then United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

These programmes are supported financially by UNFPA. Since its setting up, INIA has organised 93 international training programmes and trained 1835 candidates from 137 countries.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.

The International Institute on Ageing United Nations - Malta

The Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted in 1982 by the World Assembly on Ageing, and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 37/51, recommended, inter alia, the promotion of training and research, as well as the exchange of information and knowledge in order to provide an international basis for social policies and action.

In this respect, the Plan recommended that practical training institutes should be promoted and encouraged so that they act as a practical bridge between and among developed and developing countries.

The UN Economic and Social Council, by its Resolution 1987/41 recommended to the UN Secretary-General, the establishment of the International Institute on Ageing. On the 9 October 1987, the United Nations signed an official agreement with the Government of Malta to establish the International Institute on Ageing as an autonomous body under the auspices of the United Nations. The Institute was inaugurated on 15 April, 1988 by the then United Nations Secretary-General, H.E. Mr. Javier Pérez de Cuéllar.

In keeping with the Institute’s training strategy aimed at developing better qualified and trained personnel, and on the basis of the curricula and training materials recommended by the respective Expert Group Meetings, the Institute holds a number of training programmes on an annual basis. These programmes are supported financially by UNFPA. Since its setting up, INIA has organised 93 international training programmes and trained 1835 candidates from 137 countries.

These training programmes are oriented towards persons coming from developing countries who hold positions as policy-makers, planners, programme executives, educators, professionals and para-professionals who work, or intend to work, in the field of ageing or with older persons. Preference in the selection of candidates is given to those who are in a position to pass on the knowledge obtained to others when back in their own country.

The Institute’s training programmes, as also its other activities, should be viewed in the light of the world-wide phenomenon of population ageing. The situation is particularly acute in developing countries where 55 per cent of the world’s older persons live today and where it is projected that this percentage will further rise to 72 per cent by the year 2025. This increase will have major effects on social development, policies and plans, and on the services for older persons. It is precisely due to the lack of appropriately trained personnel that developing countries are least prepared to meet the challenges of the population ageing phenomenon. Through its training programmes, INIA is, in its own way, helping these countries to be better equipped.

Ageing is a multi-disciplinary phenomenon. It is in this regard, that all of INIA’s training programmes, as designed by groups of international experts, though dealing with various aspects of ageing, are inter-disciplinary in content.

Since 1995 INIA has also started conducting training programmes in various countries throughout the world. Each “in situ” training programme is tailored to the respective country’s needs. During the past 13 years, INIA has conducted 56 such programmes in Barbados, Belarus, Federative Republic of Brazil, People’s Republic of China, Egypt, Republic of Ghana, Republic of India, State of Kuwait, Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, United Mexican States, Republic of Panama, Republic of the Philippines, State of Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Republic of Singapore, Republic of South Africa, Kingdom of Thailand, Tunisian Republic, Republic of Turkey and United Arab Emirates. 1792 participants have benefited from these programmes.

INIA’s publications, which include a quarterly gerontological publication BOLD, also serve as another source of information exchange. In its drive for international cooperation, INIA is signatory to collaborative agreements with both United Nations Organisations and International Governmental and non-Governmental Organisations.

INIA also carries out Research Projects, hosts Expert Group Meetings, and offers Consultancy Services. A Collaborating Network has been set up with the aim of facilitating information exchange. Members can access information from over 59 Countries through INIA’s Network Membership.

INIA’s 2009 Training Programmes:

16—27 February

International Programme in Social Gerontology.

16—27 March

International Programme in Economic and Financial Aspects of Ageing.

4—15 May

International Programme in Medical Gerontology (Geriatrics).

12—23 October

International Programme in Policy Formulation,Planning,

Implementation and Monitoring of the Madrid InternAtional Plan of Action on Ageing.

23 November—4 December

International Programme in Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing and its Implications for Socio- Economic Development, Policies and Plans.

October 2009 - June 2010

International Post-Graduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics (European Centre for Gerontology, University of Malta).

Application Procedure:

Interested persons and organisations may apply by sending the following:

· An application form which is available through the Institute’s web-site or directly from INIA or from UNFPA representatives and UNDP offices in the applicant’s own country.

· Proof of proficiency in English.

· A letter of recommendation from the Director of the applicant’s place of work.

· A personal letter (giving reasons for attending the programme).

· Copies of relevant certificates.

Completed forms should reach INIA by not later than the closing date indicated for each respective programme.

Programme Fee

The cost for participating in a Programme is US$1,750. This includes full board accommodation, tuition and accident insurance for the period covering the participant’s stay in Malta during the programme. Air travel to and from Malta is NOT included. A registration fee of US$50, should be paid. The cheque will be refunded to the participant concerned while in Malta.

With support from UNFPA and other organisations, a limited number of scholarships are awarded by INIA to leading candidates for the training programmes and the Post-Graduate Diploma. Candidates are, however, encouraged to seek alternative funding in order to enhance their chances of selection.

Interested persons and organisations may apply on line or by sending a completed application form to:

The Director

International Institute on Ageing, United Nations - Malta

117, St. Paul Street

Valletta VLT 1216 - MALTA

Tel: (356) 2124 3044/5/6

Fax: (356) 2123 0248

E-mail: info@inia.org.mt

Web site: http://www.inia.org.mt

I have taken this course,you can also Apply for INIA PROGRAMME to serve the Elderly.

Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.