Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly sets up National Focal Point in preparation for International Year of Older Persons 1999

The Secretariat for the Elderly, has today, Thursday, 9th April, 1998 set up the Maltese National Point in preparation for the International Year for the elderly. The principle role of this committee is to come up with new initiatives which will have a long-term beneficial effect on the situation of the elderly in Malta. The committee is chaired by INIA's Deputy Director, Dr James Calleja.

The United Nations has decided to observe 1999 as the International Year for the Older Persons in recognition of humanity's demographic changes, where the elderly proportion is increasing at a high rate. The theme of the International Year for Older Persons is "Towards a Society for all Ages". This reflects a growing concern for ensuring intergenerational support.

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly augured that this committee will yield beneficial results for the Aged in Malta.