OPENING SPEECH BY THE HON. ANTOINE MIFSUD BONNICI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY IN THE MINISTRY FOR SOCIAL POLICY, AT THE SHORT-TERM TRAINING COURSE ON "THE DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECTS OF POPULATION AGEING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, POLICIES

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning. On behalf of the Government of Malta, I extend to you all participants – both foreign and local – a heartfelt welcome to this Short-Term International Training Course on "The Demographic Aspects of Population Ageing and its Implications for Socio-Economic Development, Policies and Plans". A short-term course, which like the other short-term courses which are held regularly by INIA every year, should result most beneficial to all the participants, both foreign – who have come over here from 18 different countries – and local.

One of the main features of the world population in the twentieth century has been a considerable increase in the absolute and relative numbers of older people in both developed and developing countries. This phenomenon is referred to as ‘population ageing'. From a demographic point of view population ageing is a result of both mortality and fertility; fewer children are born and more people reach old age. Over the last 50 years mortality rates in developing countries have declined dramatically raising the average life expectancy at birth from around 41 years in the early 1950's to almost 62 years in 1990. By 2020, it is projected to reach 70 years. In the world today live approximately 580 million elderly people (60 years +). Of these around 350 million live in developing countries. By the year 2020 the number of elderly people worldwide will reach more than 1000 million with over 700 million of them in developing countries.

The decline in fertility levels, reinforced by continued decline in mortality levels, is producing fundamental changes in the age structure of the population of most societies, most notably record increases in the population and number of elderly persons, including a growing number of very elderly persons. The steady increase of older age groups in national populations, both in absolute numbers and in relation to the working-age population, has significant implications for a majority of countries, particularly with regard to the future viability of existing formal and informal modalities for assistance to elderly people. The economic and social impact of this "Ageing of Populations" is both and opportunity and a challenge to all societies. Many countries are currently re-examining their polices in the light of the principle that elderly people constitute a value and important component of a society's human resources. They are also seeking to identify how best to assist elderly people with long-term support needs.

Paragraph 13 of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing says: "Countries should recognise and take into account their demographic trends and changes in the structure of their populations in order to optimize their development". Demographic ageing affects the size and population of the various cohorts, changing young and old dependency ratios and the size of the working population. As a consequence, employment, social security, social welfare, education and healthcare, as well as investment, consumption and savings patterns, need adjustment.

Population ageing has become an important development issue that requires urgent action. In developing countries, population ageing is occurring more rapidly than in developed countries because of rapid fertility decline and an increasing life expectancy due to medical interventions based on the use of advanced technology and drugs. These interventions have provided effective means to treat and prevent many diseases that used to kill people prematurely. Also of importance is the fact that population ageing in the developing world is accompanied by persistent poverty.

The rapidly growing absolute and relative numbers of older people in both developed and developing countries mean that more and more people will be entering the age when the risk of developing certain chronic and debilitating diseases is significantly higher. As such, population ageing presents new and serious challenges for national and international public health. The emerging social and the public health consequences of ageing, especially in developing countries, need to be taken very seriously. In the majority of these countries, poverty, lack of social security schemes, cont urbanisation, and the growing participation of women in the work force – all contribute to the evasion of traditional forms of care for older people.

Living longer offers unprecedented opportunities for personally and socially fulfilling lives, but it also presents individual and societal challenges related to quality of life in old age, including independence, social interaction, health care and community involvement. In order to respond the these challenges, countries have to develop sound and affordable polices that perceive ageing as natural process, which continues throughout the life span. Effective community based programmes need to form an integral part of such lealty ageing polices.

Demographic and social-forces are changing the shape of the world's population and the nature of family and personal life. Because ageing is a multi-generational, gendered, life-long process, the well-being of younger persons is assured. Thus, to achieve a society for all ages, states, nongovernmental organisations, communities, families and individuals must work to advance well-being for all people at all ages.

What are the objectives that we should seek at the beginning of this new millennium? I would say that the objectives should be the same as those that were recommended at the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development namely:

To enhance, through appropriate mechanisms, the self-reliance of elderly people, and to create conditions that promote quality of life and enable them to work and live independently in their own communities as long as possible or as desired;

To develop systems of health care as well as systems of economic and social security in old age, where appropriate, paying special attention to the needs of women;

To develop a social support system, both formal and informal with a view to enhancing the ability of families to take care of elderly people within the family.

To achieve these objectives, governments have to be assiduous in their actions.

All levels of government in medium and long-term socio-economic planning should take into account the increasing numbers and proportions of elderly people in the population. Governments should develop social security systems that ensure greater intergenerational and intragenerational equity and solidarity and that provide support to elderly people through the encouragement of multigenerational families, and the provision of long-term support and services for growing numbers of frail older people.

Governments should seek to enhance the self-reliance of elderly people to facilitate their continued participation in society. In consultation with elderly people, Governments should ensure that the necessary conditions are developed to enable elderly people to lead self-determined, healthy and productive lives and to make full use of the skills and abilities they have acquired in their lives for the benefit of society. The valuable contribution that elderly people make to families and society, especially as volunteers and caregivers, should be given due recognition and encouragement.

Governments, in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the private sector, should strengthen formal and informal support systems and safety nets for elderly people and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against elderly people in all countries, paying special attention to the needs of elderly women.

As the family is recognised as a fundamental unit of society, efforts should be made of support, protect and strengthen it in agreement with each society's system of cultural values and in responding to the needs of its ageing members. Governments should promote social policies encouraging the maintenance of family solidarity among generations, with all members of the family participating. The role and contribution of the non-governmental organisations in strengthening the family as a unit should also be stressed at all levels.

Dear colleagues. During this two week course you will be exchanging views and ideas and share information between yourselves. You will be considering and debating several and diverse aspects of the demographic aspects of Population Ageing and its implications for socio-economic development. You will review the standard living requirement of elderly persons; evaluate existing policies; assess the institution of long-term strategies; study the obligatory retirement age in each country; assess the utility of more training programmes on various aspects of elderly life; encourage the setting up and supporting of occupational and rehabilitative programmes; consider the need for successful alternative approaches to be better supported by government and NGO's; consider the introduction of appropriate pre-retirement schemes; consider and assess the ‘welfare gap' within the entire economic perspective and, in particular, within the frame work of the whole government budget. No doubt that during all your discussions you will give the utmost importance to the ‘elderly person' as a dignified human being, like all other citizens with his active participation and social integration. May I wish you all very fruitful work and every success in your deliberations. I again extend my welcome and wish you a pleasant stay in our beautiful island and may you all enjoy our traditional hospitality.

Thank you.