CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE HON. LAWRENCE GONZI, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR SOCIAL POLICY, AT THE INTERNATIONAL SHORT TRAINING COURSE IN SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY - INIA ? VALLETTA

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

It is a pleasure for me to join you this evening and to be able to conclude this short training course in social gerontology which part of a programme of courses intended to prepare key personnel from developing countries for the imminent and unprecedented increase in elderly they will experience in the next few decades.

You have just undergone an intensive two-week training programme. You have come from different parts of the World, you have different cultures, religions and traditions. Yet, this intensive training programme did not only give you the opportunity to assimilate the valid contributions of your tutors, but most importantly you have had the opportunity to share among yourselves, your individual experiences which each of you had encountered in the field of ageing in your respective countries.

Since the earliest times, human imagination has sought to find a magic formula to help human beings to live for as long as possible. Today, science and technology have made possible what the magic formula could not. The present ageing of the World population is one of humanity's most tangible and visible successes, ranking high as a human achievement.

The countries gathered in the World Assembly on Ageing in Vienna in 1982 'solemnly recognized that quality of life is no less important than longevity, and that the ageing should therefore, as far as possible, be enabled to enjoy in their own families and communities a life of fulfilment, health, security and contentment, appreciated as an integral part of society'.

This statement has to be kept in mind and given the utmost consideration by all those involved directly or indirectly with the implementation of services for the elderly.

Living longer can offer unprecedented opportunities for personal and socially fulfilling lives. However, it also presents individual and societal challenges related to quality of life in old age. These includes independence, social interaction, health care and community involvement. It is for this fact, that in order to respond to these challenges, countries have to develop sound and affordable policies that perceive ageing as a natural process which continues throughout the life span.

Malta, with a combined landmass of 316 square kilometres and a population of just over 375.000 is quite often rightly perceived as an island with more history than land. Yet, despite its miniature size and population, Malta has not been spared from the multi sectorial challenges brought about by demographic transitions, changing lifestyles and the resultant emergence of a range of needs.

This is the scenario that triggered the need to set up a Secretariat for the Care of the Elderly, within the Ministry for Social Policy. Since its very inception in 1987, it has always looked upon the elderly as those persons who had contributed to their country through various commitments: either through work or family rearing. Our policy aims at safeguarding a respectable living standard for all; at providing satisfactory care and attention to those who need it; supporting all private and voluntary initiatives that aim at promoting the true welfare of the elderly and, last but not the least, encouraging the elderly to continue participating in the economic and social life, thus avoiding social exclusion and marginalization.

It is precisely within this context that the Secretariat continually endeavours to complement longevity of life with quality by providing:

The necessary support in the community with the scope of helping the elderly to remain in their own homes for as long as possible, mainly through the following services: home help, handyman, telecare, meals-on wheels and the Day Centres.

Respite to the informal care-givers to temporarily relieve them of the often strenuous task of caring for frail or dependant elderly relatives or friends.

Specialised geriatric rehabilitative care - that helps maximise an elderly person's level of independence.

Residential care for frail elderly who despite community services, still find it difficult to continue living in their own homes.

A long-term nursing complex that houses elderly persons having different levels of dependence.

Training Opportunities for persons who work or intend to work in the field of ageing, thus securing an increase in the availability of skilled human resource that should in turn reflect itself in more effective service delivery.

Promote Active Ageing. The Elderly are encouraged to take an active part in their own affairs and support schemes. An important medium that empowers the elderly to have a say in matters which directly or indirectly affect their interests is the National Council of the Elderly. We also believe that education is an effective means of empowerment and thus the University of the Third Age within the Institute of Gerontology, University of Malta was set up in 1993. This creates the right fora for the promotion of knowledge and the exchange of various views among peers.

I would also like to mention the valuable contribution given over the years by the Church and the more recent involvement of the private sector in the field of ageing. Yet, it would be misleading to assume that the partners in this joint effort of care are only the State, the Church and the Private Sector. In addition to these three pillars one should not overlook the priceless contribution that can come from the elderly themselves.

I believe that one of the most valuable roles we as policy makers, administrators, geriatricians, gerontologists etc… have is to do our very best to find ways and means in order to recognise the potential and hence valuable contributions of older persons. 

I am sure that the last few days in Malta have been fruitful. But, your job is not done yet. Your work is still beginning. The training programme was just an eye-opener, a motivator to enhance knowledge and to set the right environment for discussion. This is only just the end to a new beginning.

I feel certain that all of you had surely benefited from the cross fertilization of ideas that judging from past experience, takes place during such courses.

However now, each one of you has an extra responsibility. Basically you are responsible to disseminate the knowledge gained and the ideas shared during your stay in Malta, so as to increase the capacity building in the field of ageing in your country. It is equally important to make sure that the necessary action will be taken to better the lives of the elderly according to the realities of your particular countries. After all this is not charity BUT duty.

While I would like to thank INIA for inviting me to close this International Short Training Programme in Social Gerontology. I look forward to meeting you in the future. May the good work done today, will bear fruit in your country.

Thank you