Volume 7

May 2001

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Prof Gary Andrews, Australia
Secretary General
Prof Mary Luszcz, Australia
Treasurer
Mr Charles Young, Australia
President Elect
Dr. Gloria Gutman, Canada
Past President
Prof Edit Beregi, Hungary

COMMUNICATIONS
Website: www.cas.flinders.edu.au/iag
Email: iag@flinders.edu.au
Telephone: +61 8 8201 7552
Facsimile: +61 8 8201 7551

POSTAL ADDRESSInternational Association of Gerontology
Centre for Ageing Studies
Flinders University of South Australia
Laffer Drive,
Science Park,
Bedford Park,
South Australia 5042 Australia

RNATIONTENIINTERNATIONALASSOCIATIONOF GERONTOLOGY

newsletter

G

ONTOLOGYER

IAG

SOCIATION O
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FOUNDED 1950

FROM THE PRESIDENTThe United Nations has decided that a Second
World Assembly on Ageing will be held in 2002.
The resolution of the General Assembly
convening the Second World Assembly(Resolution 54/262)“Invites non-governmental organizations in
the field of ageing, as well as research
institutions and representatives of the private
sector, to participate in and contribute to theSecond World Assembly on Ageing and its
preparatory process, including organizing
meetings and studies related to the themesof the Second World Assembly...”The Second World Assembly on Ageing to behosted by the Spanish Government in Madrid isplanned for 8 - 12 April 2002. This is a major
global event where delegations from the Member
States of the UN will gather in formal session to
discuss and debate the production of anInternational Plan of Action on Ageing for
subsequent endorsement of the UN General
Assembly and implementation by Member States
throughout the world.
This document will be a revision of the 1982
International (Vienna) Plan of Action producedby the First World Assembly on Ageing. It is
intended to provide a blueprint for action by
governments in addressing the challenges of
rapid population ageing in the opening decadesof the new century with special emphasis on thedeveloping world.
The World Assembly itself is primarily a politicalevent with most of the delegates comprising
government ministers and official representatives.
This Assembly, unlike the first, will have a seriesof parallel and associated activities interactingwith the Assembly itself.
One of the most significant of the associatedactivities will be a process that engages theWorld’s academic, professional and provider(practitioners and services) community concernedwith the science and practice of gerontology,
geriatrics and aged care (Research, Education andProvider or REPs Forum). It is proposed that thisGary Andrews, President

Forum which will be auspiced by the IAG andsupported by the Novartis Foundation forGerontology will take place in Valencia, Spain in
the week immediately preceding the Second
World Assembly on Ageing.
The challenge will be to marshal the world’s
leaders in the study, teaching and practice ofgerontology as well as in the provision of careand services to the ageing. To distil the essenceof their individual and collective experience,
knowledge and understanding of how best toaddress the issues associated with global ageing.
A program and process is being planned that will
ensure the best scientific knowledge, experienceand understanding of individual and population
ageing and the meaning and consequences ofthese achievements is provided to the policy anddecision makers involved in the formulation of
the Revised International Plan of Action on Ageingthat is expected to be produced by the Second
World Assembly on Ageing.
My statement, as President of the IAG, to the
Preparatory Committee for the Assembly in
February 2001 announcing the Valencia Forumis reproduced on page 2.
Gary Andrews,
President

STATEMENT TO THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEEFOR THE SECOND WORLD ASSEMBLY ON AGEING
Mr Chairman, Distinguished Delegates
I am most grateful and privileged to make a brief
statement on behalf of the International
Association of Gerontology (IAG), the IAG is a Non
Government Organisation (NGO) representing 62
national professional associations concerned withresearch, education and professional practice inthe field of ageing with members in 56 countries.
At this prepcom meeting I am also a member ofthe HelpAge International delegation.
In the almost 20 years since the First World
Assembly held in Vienna in 1982 (in which I was
privileged to participate as a member of theAustralian Delegation) extraordinary transformation has taken place in demographic, socialand economic profiles of the worlds major regions
and individual nations.
The world we all know will literally, never be
the same!
How should we respond to the massive social,economic developmental and humanitarian
challenges we have heard described these lastdays especially as they will pan out in the near
future in the developing world? What sign posts
are they’re to guide us?
Mention has already been made of theimportance of research in this regard information and knowledge that can underpin
sound policy and program decisions in the future.
Since January 1999 a series of expert
consultations have pursued the development ofa Global Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21stCentury. The present outcomes of this exercise
are being currently processed by the UN
secretariat on Ageing and will be posted on the
UN Website for information and wide reactioncomment and advice shortly.
The process does not, however, stop there: The
Research Agenda is an ongoing exercise:whatever concerns it professes now are but
today’s, and are the progenitors of tomorrow’squestions. In the past two decades astonishingadvances have been made in our knowledge andunderstanding of ageing at all levels. Mapping
the human genome, understanding the basic
processes in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s
disease and clearer definition of labour andretirement participation dynamics in manydifferent cultural and socio-economic settings, forinstance - but we still have much more to learn.
Nor is the research to which I refer simply
laboratory, bench top or statistical academic
effort. Much of our improved understandingcomes not from the biological science laboratory
but from what might be called the laboratory oflife, from what is sometimes called participatory
and action research, drawing upon theexperience and insights of ageing persons
themselves. It is critical that this information islogged and analysed with equal methodologicalrigour to that applied to classic scientific method- and not be left to mere rhetoric and anecdote.
The 45,000 individual researchers, teachers andprofessionals comprising the individual
membership of the IAG and the 100 times morethat make up that world wide constituency standready to offer their collective insight andunderstanding to support the deliberations of theWorld’s Second Assembly on Ageing.
To facilitate this input the IAG will auspice a preAssembly event, to take place in the week prior
to the World Assembly, in Valencia, Spain. It is
intended to convene a Congress (Forum) to focus
on the research education and best practiceconsiderations. To crystallise and clearly articulate
the research education and practice messages
that can effectively inform policy and decision
makers in their important deliberations and in
this context support the formulation of the new
International Plan of Action on Ageing.
This moment presents a true watershed in humanexperience. It is imperative that where we
proceed form here is based on best informationand leads to best decisions. In this process weare all the legitimate agents of change.
The revised International Plan of Action on
Ageing, the principal outcome of the Madrid World
Assembly, should represent a legitimate templatefor positive change.
We carry a great burden of responsibility - history
will judge us all, most severely, if at this timeand in this place we fail to provide the necessary
leadership or we allow clouding of our vision ofwhat needs to be. Let us ensure that we use
effectively what we now know and understandto create a better world for ‘all ages’.

VISIT THE IAG WEBSITE AT:

www.cas.flinders.edu.au/iag
and check the Revision of the Manual of Operating Procedures which is subject toendorsement by the IAG Council in Vancouver.

LAST
WORDS
FROM THE
SECRETARY
GENERAL:
UN Updates on WAA-2
You can stay abreast of the latest developments in the
preparation for the WAA-2 by visiting the UN website
at (http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/waa/. There
you will find a range of information includingCountdown: Newsletter of the United Nations
Programme on Ageing: UN Secretariat for the World
Assembly on Ageing, press releases, reports on various
meetings etc. Recent items of particular interest include:(a) A Report of the UN Secretary General: Towards theSecond World Assembly on Ageing, that was issued inadvance of the Preparatory Committee Meeting heldin February. (b) A Report of the Inter-Agency Meetingfor the Second World Assembly on Ageing, held 6-7
March 2001 in New York City. (c) Plans for the ECE
Ministerial Conference on Ageing. This initiative of theFederal German Government, will be held in the Foreign
Ministry, Berlin, from 11 to 13 September 2002. The
Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), as a regional
sub-division of the UN, will be staging this post-WAA2 conference with the aim of developing andimplementing together with its member states general
guidelines on policies for older persons.
IM PORTANT I NFORMATION FOR COUNCI L
MEMBERS:
New Member Applications. We have recently had
requests for joining the IAG from Sweden, Malaysia
and, a true first for the IAG, South Africa. Council
endorsement is required for all applications. Formal
applications have been received from the Swedish
Gerontological Society (SGS) and the Gerontological
Association of Malaysia (GE M). The SGS wasestablished in 1998 and is the only Swedish
organisation represented in the Nordic Federation ofGerontology. The interdisciplinary SGS currently has
288 members in good standing and is devoted topromotion of research on the elderly and ageing, as
well as to furthering the field of gerontology. The GEM
has only just been established as the newest
gerontological association in the Asia/Oceania Region.
Its 136 current members aim to promote awareness on
ageing by conducting research, to act as a catalyst to
generate and disseminate knowledge and skills in areas
related to the elderly and to collaborate with similar
bodies locally and internationally.
As we go to press, I’ve just heard from Monica Ferreriathat an application from the South African
Gerontological Association (SAGA) is about to be mailed.
The Executive have approved the SGS and GEM
applications, which are in accord with the By-Laws.
The SAGA application will be processed as soon as itis received. A separate insert with this newsletter seeks
endorsement from Council members, as required by
the By-laws. As you will appreciate, these organisations
would like to fully participate in the upcoming 17th
World Congress, so there is some urgency about
deciding on their applications.
2001 Council Meetings. Gloria Gutman, Presidentelect of the IAG, advises that the Council Meetings inVancouver are scheduled for Wednesday July 4 andThursday July 5, 2001 from 12noon to 3pm.
Voting Rights. In accord with the By-laws, only Council
Members from member organisations who are financial
are eligible to vote during Council Meetings.
Thanks and farewell. As this is my last newsletter,
let me say that it has been a privilege to serve as the
Secretary General of the IAG. Here I particularly wantto thank those who contributed items for the Newsletterand to the local team in Adelaide without whom I might
have been truly overwhelmed by my role.
Prof Mary Luszcz PhD,
Secretary General/Vice PresidentInternational Association of Gerontology

A RESEARCH AGENDA ON AGEING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY• The UN Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21stCentury represents a major initiative in the areaof ageing and development, intended tocontribute to the elaboration of public policies
on ageing and influence the direction andpriorities for scientific gerontology in thedecades to come.
• The conviction that a sound research agenda
on ageing is needed has emerged from theawareness that population and individual
ageing will be a major challenge to humankind
in the new millennium. Though, at present, mostsocieties and individuals appear to be poorly
equipped to meet this challenge.
• The intention is to develop a systematic
approach to formulating and implementing a
global agenda on policy related research on
ageing.
• The project had its genesis in 1997 at the
Sixteenth Congress of the International
Association of Gerontology in Adelaide, Australia
with an agreement between the United Nations
Programme on Ageing and the International
Association of Gerontology to develop a
Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21stCentury.
• Two expert group meetings in February andDecember 1999 defined the overall programme
for a research agenda on ageing. The meetings
acknowledged that research on ageing could
be undertaken at several levels and across many
arenas and proposed a broad framework toencompass major research issues.
• During the meetings, a number of recurring
themes on ageing emerged as a series ofpriorities for further research and development.
Each of these was seen as being able to be
examined within the broad framework for the
Research Agenda adopted by the meetings. The
areas for consideration were summarised into
three general categories as follows:- Quality of life, processes of ageing and ‘healthy
ageing’- Productivity and integration- Material security over the life course andnetworks of formal and informal systems ofcare and support• The final expert consultation in Salsomaggiore,
Italy in December 2001 tackled the task ofrefining the research topics that had previously
been identified and clarifying priorities foraction as well as proposing the next steps aimed
at implementing the agenda in practice.
• The expert consultations progressively defined
the most critical research arenas and identified
the following topics for research:- Healthy ageing- Biomedical- Physical and mental functioning- Social Participation and Integration.
- Changing structures of families, kin, primarygroups and community.
- Economic security- Macro-societal change and development- Policy Processes and Evaluation.
• A number of methodological challenges atpresent undoubtedly pose significant limitations
to effective implementation of any
comprehensive global research agenda. Whilefundamental work (instrumentation) has been
progressively undertaken in many settings
methodological refinements are still urgently
required that cut across many of the researchareas outlined above.
• A limited number of ‘overarching’ recomm
endations have been identified throughout theprocess of consultation on the Agenda.
• Priority 1. Research into current practices
and options for maintaining material
security into older age. This research effort isrelevant in the developing world where serious
questions have emerged about the long term
sustainability of many national income security
systems. It is also critical in the developing
countries many of which have only the mostrudimentary or even no systems in place orplanned for the immediate future.
• Priority 2. Research into changing family
structures, intergenerational transfer
systems and emergent patterns of family
and institutional dynamics. The changing
nature of ‘family’ and traditional attitudes andbehaviours between generations is widely
claimed to be changing in most situations.
Studies are needed that can track these changes
and identify the economic and social impacts
on individuals, communities and society.
• Priority 3. Research into the Determinants ofHealthy Ageing. Health is a central issue
associated with increase in longevity andpopulation ageing. The maintenance of healthstatus and functioning with age is a criticalfactor impacting upon many other aspects of
the lives of older persons, their families andcommunities.
• Priority 4. Research into Basic Biological
Mechanisms and Age Associated Disease.
The opportunities presented by recent dev
elopments in the understanding of basic
biological genetic, molecular and cellular
aspects of life processes present astounding
potential for unravelling the complex
relationships between the fundamental

mechanisms of ageing and the emergence ofage associated disease. The prospects are
greatly increased for the identification ofefficacious pharmacological and otherinterventions that may prevent, ameliorate orreverse a range of chronic diseases that arelinked to ageing.
• Priority 5. Research into Quality of Life andAgeing in diverse cultural, socio-economicand environmental situations. Ideas of what
constitutes ‘well-being’ and ‘good quality of life’with ageing clearly vary according to the social,
cultural, economic and traditional context inwhich it is examined. There is a need for greater
understanding of these fundamental variations
in ageing and life experience. Much could belearned from well-framed and sensitively
undertaken comparative research in settings ofvarious social and economic development andcultural diversity.
• Priority 6. Research into the relationships of
population ageing and socio-economic
development. The interrelationships of rapid
population ageing and socio-economic
development remain ill understood and in thecontext of national development planning often
overlooked. For developing countries, inparticular, this relationship will become
increasingly critical. More research is needed
to identify the contributions made by older
persons to social, cultural, spiritual andeconomic ‘capital’ of all nations. The productive
contribution of older persons to society should
be better measured and monitored along withclearer definition of the complex reciprocalsocial and economic exchanges that occur inall societies.
• As the United Nations prepares for the Second
World Assembly on Ageing and the revision of
the international Plan of Action on ageing theopportunity is presented for there to be a morecomprehensive, collaborative and coordinatedapproach to addressing the challenges ofimproving knowledge and understanding ofindividual and population ageing world wide.
A mechanism can now be contemplated thatprovides for a global commitment to researchin the key priority areas identified in this agenda
and to the implementation of a plan of action
for this research at all levels: global, regional,
national and local.
• Consideration should be given to means forestablishment and allocation of resources toensure the creation of a focus for facilitation ofa globally coordinated effort to implement theagreed research agenda as a major outcome of
the Second World assembly on Ageing.

50th ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE IAG
To mark the 50th Anniversary of the International
Association of Gerontology, I, as IAG President,
convened a series of meetings that were held in
Salsomaggiore, Italy during December 2000. The
meeting was held with the generous support of
the Salsomaggiore Terme who provided a
substantial block of accommodation and Novartis
foundation for Gerontology that gave
supplementary funding towards travel costs forattendees.
The Executive, Regional Chairs and Presidentsof 55 Member Associations met and considered
future strategic directions for the Association. The
discussion ranged over such topics as formulationof the vision, values and mission of the
Association; the schedule of global and regional
meetings; membership criteria; input into theSecond World Assembly on Ageing; improved
global communication and networking between
member associations; fostering of research andeducation on ageing globally; and the legal
standing of the IAG. The discussion reflected thevery substantial progress made in gerontology
over the 50 year life of the Association and theneed to respond to the considerable challenges
posed by the much greater visibility of ageing asa political, scientific and educational issue
throughout the world today.
Regional Groups met during the event and a
special consultation took place between the IAG
Executive and a number of other internationalumbrella NGOs to discuss a coordinated NGO input
to the Second UN World Assembly on Ageing to
be held in Spain in April 2002. Proposals were
put forward for the IAG to pursue the special
issues associated with a perspectives of the global
ageing research, education and practitioner
constituency and in addition to have acoordinated input from all of the relevantinternational NGOs.
A special IAG Presidential Award was made to
Mr Charles Studer, who has worked energeticallyin support of the activities of the IAG over many
years.
Finally, the third in a series of expert meetings
on a United Nations’ project developing a
Research Agenda on Ageing for the 21st Century(RAA-21) was held. This project has been
supported by the Novartis Foundation forGerontology and convened by the IAG on behalfof the United Nations programme on ageing. (Seethe Executive Summary of the most recent
document on page 3). The interaction of theAgenda with a number of events and processes
leading to the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing in
Madrid, Spain in April 2002 will provide vehicles
for further elaboration and integration of theAgenda into the mainstream of global action on
ageing.
From these events and with the culmination of
the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing, the Agenda
will emerge as a well defined element
incorporated into the new global plan of action
on ageing envisioned as a major output of theWorld Assembly. The Research Agenda on Ageing
will continue to be developed, reviewed andrevised in the future. In the end it must be a‘process’ not simply ‘a ‘product’. The evidencebase that is necessary to effectively inform good
policy, program implementation and provision
will grow and with greater knowledge willcontinue to evolve with cumulative humanexperience and shared insights into this mostfundamental aspect of human life and its proteanconsequences for all of humanity.
The Salsomaggiore events laid the foundations
for exciting future developments for the IAG andmany positive recommendations for action (seepage 5) will be taken forward to the Council
Meetings to be held in July, 2001 in Vancouver.
Gary Andrews
President, IAG

SALSOMAGGIORE OUTCOMESThe following formulation will be submitted to
the IAG Council Meeting to be held in Vancouver
July 2001. This formulation follows the review
by Prof. Gary Andrews of The IAG’s vision, values
and mission as expressed in the Association’s ByLaws, various actions and activities over theyears, the ‘Adelaide Declaration on Ageing’ andtaking into account the discussions of thesematters, recorded by the Secretary General, Mary
Luszcz, that took place at the 50th Anniversary
Meeting of IAG Executive and Presidents ofMember Associations. It is recommended that the
IAG adopt the following statements expressing
the Vision, Values and Mission of the Association:

VISIONThe ultimate vision towards which theInternational Association of Gerontology aspires
is of a world in which individual and population
ageing is substantially understood in scientificterms and its consequences are fully appreciatedat all levels of public and private organisation. In
pursuit of this ideal the IAG will endeavour tofoster the wellbeing of all, as ageing is
experienced in all its diversity throughout thelifespan at individual and societal level. In
addition, the vision is for the continued pursuitof further scientific knowledge on ageing withfull vigour and foresight and for the fruits of theseendeavours to be widely disseminated, making
them known to all.

VALUESThe Values governing the endeavours of theInternational Association of Gerontology include:• Recognition of the importance of increasing
longevity and the ageing of populations a criticalchallenges to society in both developed anddeveloping countries.
• Acknowledgement of the fundamental
contribution that can be made by scientificresearch in improving understanding anddevelopment of appropriate individual andsocietal responses to ageing.
• Commitment to sound education and trainingof all of those involved in provision of care andservices to older persons as an important meansof ensuring quality of care and support to older
persons.
• Belief in the need for wider education of thewhole of society to promote understanding of- the implications of ageing populations, and- the positive outcomes and benefits of longer
life for individuals and societies.

• Support for the concept of the family as acentral issue in the quality of life and wellbeing of older persons in both developed anddeveloping societies.
• Commitment to promotion of the highest
quality and standards for services provided
for older persons.
• Recognition of the inherent diversity in theageing process and among older persons,
including socio-economic, educational andcultural variations.
• Respect for the rights and dignity of older
persons in all circumstances.

MISSION
The mission of the International Association ofGerontology is to promote the highest levels ofachievement of gerontological research andtraining worldwide and to interact with otherinternational, inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations in the promotion of
gerontological interests globally and on behalfof its member associations. The Association
pursues these activities with a view to promoting
the highest quality of life and well being of all
people as they experience ageing at individual
and societal levels.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONSExtensive discussion of various aspects of thestrategic directions for the Association canvassed
at the 50th Anniversary meeting resulted in thefollowing reformulation to be submitted to theCouncil Meeting in Vancouver.

Wider Membership of IAG:
A proposal will be submitted to the Council
Meeting in Vancouver that membership is opened
to National Associations (Societies) concernedwith Geriatric Medicine.
It is proposed that applications be accepted from
Associations at national level that are formed forthe purposes of furthering the science, educationand practice of geriatric medicine. To be eligible
such associations (or societies) must be duly
constituted and registered as a professional
association and be recognised as the principle
body so constituted at national level. Only one
such body should be accepted for each country.
The By-Laws relating to the processes ofapplication, fees and representation on IAG andRegional Council would apply as they dogenerally at present or as they may be amended
at some time in the future.
It will further be proposed at the next IAG Council
Meeting that a task force be established to:(1) identify what are the pros and cons of goingto a more open form of membership allowing
the admission under certain conditions ofother groups concerned with research,education and practice related to ageingorganised at national level, and(2) propose appropriate amendments to the By
Laws and Manual of Operating Procedures forprocessing of applications, criteria formembership and representation on IAG andRegional Councils.

Improved Interactivity andCommunication within IAG
It will be proposed at the IAG council meeting in
Vancouver that the incoming IAG executive giveconsideration to ways in which the IAG can be
more interactive with membership in the interim
between major Congress activities. This will
include examining options for web site
developments to be pursued independently orwith support for a sponsoring body.

Review of IAG Calender of meetings andevents
It was generally agreed that the pattern of theCongresses should not change, but nonetheless
it is desirable to look at ways of ensuring that
there is an appropriate level of interaction on theInternational level. Ways in which Council
meetings (in vivo or via electronic means) could
be held more frequently should be explored.

Interaction with Second World Assemblyon Ageing
The IAG is now recognised by the United Nations
Secretariat for the Second World Assembly andthe Spanish host organization as responsible for
auspicing an associated event to the Assembly the Valencia Forum. This Congress is directed atensuring an input to the considerations of theAssembly from the global community of
researchers, educators, and providers (including
practitioners) ensuring that the Assembly is
informed by the best available research andinformation. (See official web site for the
Assembly - http://www.madrid2002envejecimiento.org/). A progress report on
preparations for this event will be sent to allmember associations of IAG prior to the Vancouver
Congress.

Review of IAG legal status and By-Laws
Action will now be taken to progress the formal
amendment of IAG By-Laws in accordance withthe legal requirements in Belgium (the countryof official incorporation and registration of IAG).

TREASURER’S REPORT
Please find following Financial Statement for year ending December 2000.
I would like to remind all member organisations:
1. If your organisation is not financial your representatives on IAG Council will not have voting rights, please ensure your country is financial.
2. Please note that as from 30 June 2001 all dues will be payable to the new Secretariat in Canada. For further information, please contact
Prof. Gloria Gutman,
International Association of Gerontology,
Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Center,#2800 - 515 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver, Canada, V6B 5K3.
3. If you are able please bring any dues payable to Vancouver. This will avoid some of the high fees and charges associated with telegraphic transfers.
If you have any queries regarding the above please email the Secretariat at iag@flinders.edu.au
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of the IAG for their support during my time as Treasurer and wish the association well for the
future.
Charles Young
Treasurer

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GERONTOLOGYSTATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIESAS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000
1999

2000

AUD

USD

55,514.30

36,295.25

ASSETSBank SA BillFlex account

AUD

USD

-

-

1,739.25

963.54130,141.24

72,098.25

Credit Suisse
2,996.79

1,959.30

Current account89,855.14

58,747.29

Cash Management account14,616.35

9,556.17

Bond account--158,625.00

103,709.03

ECH Deposit

171,971.42

95,272.17

4,409.75

2,883.09

Receivables

15,996.84

8,862.25

326,017.33

213,150.13

319,848.75

177,196.21

LIABILITIES-30,367.73-19,854.42

Bank SA cheque account9,605.04

5,321.19

5,920.81

3,871.02

Creditors and Accruals

3,783.68

2,096.16--

Novartis2,101.79

1,164.39--

Pan American Congress

8,648.51

4,791.29

24,139.02

13,373.03-24,446.92-15,983.40

350,464.25

229,133.53

NET ASSETS

295,709.73

163,823.18

350,464.25

229,133.53

ACCUMULATED FUNDS

295,709.73

163,823.18

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GERONTOLOGYINCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENTFOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2000 TO 31 DECEMBER 2000
1999
AUD

2000
USD

INCOME
Contributions from Congress

AUD

USD

-

-

116.8076.36-7,006.82-4,581.06

Forex movements in Investments held

24,412.46

13,524.50

21,956.08

14,354.89

Dues

36,096.61

19,997.52

12,765.24

8,345.91

Interest

12,064.38

6,683.67

27,831.30

18,196.10

TOTAL INCOME

72,573.45

40,205.69

18,801.00

10,415.75

117.4565.07

EXPENDITURE
8,069.51

5,275.85

Administration and Operating

44.01

28.77

Bank fees

687.30449.36

Fax/phone and Postage

1,567.02

868.13--Newsletter

11,846.10

6,562.74

1,907.64

1,247.22

Printing and Stationery

327.33

181.34

2,318.70

1,515.97

Rent/cleaning and power

2,617.45

1,450.07--

Salsamaggiore conference

14,808.55

8,203.94

833.53544.96

Sundry691.36383.01

16,639.67

10,879.02

Travel

76,551.73

42,409.66

45,885.69

30,000.00

Write off Seeding Loan to
Canadian Association of Gerontology--

76,386.05

49,941.20

TOTAL EXPENDITURE

127,327.99

70,539.71-48,554.75-31,745.10

SURPLUS (DEFICIT) FOR PERIOD-54,754.54-30,334.02

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From theRegions

NORTH AMERICAN REGION
The excitement among gerontologists in the North
American Region is growing as Vancouver 2001
approaches. It may be symbolic that the Vancouver
World Congress falls within the national holidaysof both Canada, July 1 Dominion Day, and the UnitedStates, July 4th, the most patriotic holiday in the US
calendar.
On the agenda for the North American Regional
Committee will be to clarify the NARC By-Laws,
primarily to align our By-Laws with those of otherregions of the IAG. We will also be discussing therelationships between and among COMLAT, NARC
and host societies for the Pan American Congress,
the Western Hemisphere’s quadrennial IAGsanctioned Congress.
The leadership of NARC and COMLAT will meet with
officials from the Argentine Society of Gerontology
and Geriatrics to review such issues as the theme
for the 2003 conference scheduled for Buenos Aires,as well as ways in which the two Regions will
cooperate to ensure the success of the Congress.
The organizers of the Argentine conference will havethe benefit of an initial loan from IAG utilizing funds
sent to the Secretariat following a highly successful
Pan American Congress in San Antonio under theleadership of Roger McCarter in February of 1999.
The NARC members will also discuss ways in which
member societies may contribute to the success ofan international congress auspiced by the IAG
scheduled to precede the Second World Assemblyon Ageing in Madrid, Spain in April of 2002.
James T. Sykes,
NARC Chair

ASIA/OCEANIA REGION
Future Perspective of IAG, Asia/Oceania Region.
It is a great pleasure for me to deliver thisperspective, from the Asia/Oceania region of IAG, of
future directions on Aging in the 21st Century. Letme pick up a few issues, which I think should
become a common concern in most of the countries
in our Region. Firstly, the unprecedented rapidityof the growth of elderly population.
Japan witnessed the increase of the elderly
population from 7% in 1970 to 14% in 1995. The
doubling time from 7% to 14% was 25 years. When
compared to the industrialised countries, this was
an extremely rapid greying of the society. For
instance, the time required for this doubling was
115 years in France and 85 years for Sweden.
However, I was surprised to find that this time will
be even shorter in Korea with 22 years projected
for the doubling from 7% in 2000 to 14% in 2022
years. Some other nations within our region may
also face this problem.

This rapidly growing elderly population casts anenormous socio-economic burden on the society.
The research promotion and establishment of theproper system to cope with this difficult issue should
be a primary task in our region. The concept ofwelfare arose out of a realisation that governments
must care for the elderly with disabilities. Publicly,
we have described this as a national virtue and it
could be affordable because it represented such asmall number of persons as a percentage of the
population. However, this approach becomes more
and more difficult to sustain, as the percentage ofthe elderly continues to rise.
So, how does this affect public policy?
We, the professionals in this field clearly have amajor responsibility to propose the strategies
concerning this issue. One key theme should be thepreservation of traditional family care concepts
which is typically represented in North East Asian
countries. In these countries the family takes careof the elderly, because they respect the elderly
mainly based on the Confucius philosophy. This
concept of filial piety is important.
The second challenge is the promotion of geriatriceducation in the countries in our region. In mostcountries, geriatric medicine is not yet recognised
as a specialised discipline. It is an issue of urgent
necessity to establish the training system not only
for physicians, but also for the co-medical staff who
will be involved in the care of the elderly. It is ourtask to ensure sufficient numbers of trained
personnel available who understand theinterdisciplinary nature of gerontology and geriatric
medicine. To this end, we need to establish thecommittee specifically to foster training andeducation.
At the regional council meeting of IAG held in
Salsomaggiore, December 2000, it was unanimously
agreed to set up a sub-committee to develop thetraining program to address the professional
development needs of graduates working or seeking
to work in the care of the aged. This will not only
encourage young professionals to enter these
disciplines but also enable us through ongoing
activities to build closer ties in this vibrant part of
the world in which we live.
The third challenge is the promotion of the researchon aging science to clarify the mechanism of aging
and age-related diseases which impairs the Qualityof life and causes the disability of the elderly.

Brazil is planning the National Congress ofGerontology and Geriatrics for 2002 (dates are notyet decided). This event will be organised bySociedad Brazileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia.
This year from April 19th to 22nd the Congreso
Paulista de Gerontologia was held in Sao Paulo. The
event is organised by Sociedad Paulista de Geriatria
e Gerontologia. Other National Congresses areplanned this year in Peru and in Paraguay. Moreinformation will be available soon for these events.
Brazil will also be represented in Vancouver during
the next International Congress of Gerontology topromote and disseminate information about “Rio2005”, where the next International Congress will
be held. The National Committee, presided over by
Dr. Norton Sayeg, will be present with a booth from
July 1st, 2001.
Argentina is organising a 50th Anniversary of theCongress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, to celebrate
the 50th anniversary of Sociedad Argentina deGerontologia y Geriatria foundation. The congress
will be held in Buenos Aires Hilton Hotel, Buenos
Aires, Argentina from November 8th to 11th, 2001.
Dr. Miguel Angel Acanfora,
Vice-President

EUROPEAN REGION
An Executive Committee meeting was held in
November in Barcelona (Spain). Attendees included
M. Passeri (Italy), D. Knook (Holland), A Lowenstein(Israel), F. Guillén (Spain) and J.M. Ribera (Spain).
Topics discussed included the preparation of theEuropean Council for the 17th World Congress inVancouver and the new By-laws which are being
prepared for the VI European Congress, that it willtake place in Barcelona (Spain) in 2003.
The Executive Committee also reviewed the Task
Forces of the European Region which include:• Geriatric Assessment• Living arrangements and family relations• Vaccines and immune stimulation• Health and Social co-ordination• Cardiovascular diseases• Biomedical and sociological aspect of the oldestold• Mineral, metabolic and osteoporosis disease• Hypertension in the elderly

COMLAT REGION

The first Program Committee Meeting of the VI
European Congress of Gerontology was also held at
this time. This meeting was also attended by the
representatives proposed for the Spanish Society ofGeriatrics and Gerontology.

There are several National Congresses planned forthis year in the member countries of COMLAT-IAG.

F Guillen Llera,
Secretary ERIAG

Hajime Orimo, M.D. Ph.D.
Chairman of IAG Asia/Oceania Region

ATIONATOLOGYGERIATRICSASSOCIATION

THE MALTESEASSOCIATION OFGERONTOLOGYGERONTOLOGYAND GERIATRICS
MALTESEThe Maltese Association of Gerontology andGeriatrics (MAGG) was officially set up on the 12th
February 1998. Its main functions are todisseminate knowledge, share information, andpromote further advancement of research andpractice in gerontology and geriatrics. The
Association also acts as a representative forumof the professional interests of persons working
in the field of ageing while co-operating withother professionals involved in the promotion of
the total well being of older persons. Membershipis open to professionals engaged in a wide rangeof areas in the field of ageing, including,demographers, economists, medical doctors,
nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists,
psychologists, social workers, sociologists, speechtherapists, etc. The majority of the members arein possession of a postgraduate qualification ingerontology and geriatrics from the Institute ofGerontology, University of Malta.

From ourgeneral public. Once a year, MAGG conducts a
one day National Seminar to which all those
involved in the field of ageing or working withthe elderly are invited to participate.
MAGG has its own newsletter published bimonthly which serves as a link not only with themembers but also with other organisations
working in the field of ageing. Every month, theAssociation members publish feature articles on
different aspects of ageing in one of the local
Sunday newspapers.
It also has its own web site: http://
www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/8585. Its email address is MAGG@um.edu.mt.We can becontacted on tel.no. +356 32902238, +356
319526. Our Fax No. is +356 319526.
The present Council Members are: Dr.Joseph
Troisi (President), Mr.Lawrence Bonavia(Secretary), Ms.Claudette Galea (Treasurer.

THE FEDERATIVEASSOCIATION OFGERONTOLOGY OF COLOMBIAThe Federative Association of Gerontology ofColombia is an organisation made up of theInterdisciplinary Association of Gerontology, AIG
of Colombia and the Colombian Association ofGerontology and Geriatrics. The Association was
officially recognised in 1996 and was admitted
as a member of the International Association ofGerontology in 1997.

Memorial photo of MAGG Council Members with
Prof Guido De Marco, President of Malta

The Association has a consultative status with
the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly
within the Ministry of Social Policy. In thiscapacity, MAGG advises the government onvarious matters relating to the elderly and to thephenomenon of ageing in general. MAGG
members also offer their services and expertiseto various private and public organisations
engaged in the field of ageing. Some of themembers are on the staff of the University of theThird Age and their expertise is called upon todeliver courses to the U3A members. On the 22nd
April 1999, the Association received official
recognition by the University of Malta.
The Association conducts bi-monthly meetingsand lectures for its members on various topics ofageing. Some of the lectures are also open to the

The organisation constitutes an effort towards
integration of purposes and objectives related toageing and old age. The Federative Association
has a current membership of over 130
professionals in more than 20 disciplines fromacross the country. The mission of the Federative
Association of Gerontology of Colombia is tocomplement and respect the identity of each ofits members associations with the aim of
constructing and disseminating relevantinterdisciplinary knowledge in the field of ageing
and old age.
The Association intends to play a leading role inthe construction of an integral and contextual
vision of human ageing and old age, particularly
in Colombia, and in general in the Latin American
and Caribbean context.
DIRECTIVE COUNCIL 2001
President:

Jose Fernando Gomez
MD Geriatrician

Members

Secretary:

Elisa Dulcey-Ruiz
Psychologist

Treasurer:

Leonilde Ines Morelo
MD

Principal Member: Guillermo Zapata
MD Gerontologist
Further Information: Postal address:
ASOFEDGE
Aportado 52366
BogotaColombia, South America
Tel and Fax: (+571) 210 17 15
Email: agingcol@colomsat.net.co

GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMYOF SCIENCES
The primary objectives of the Society are to:• Promote the development of gerontology andrelated topics of physiology and biology• Integrate research results with practice• Establish relations and contacts with scientificorganisations for gerontology from othercountries and international non-government
scientific organisations• Organise scientific meetings to exchange anddiscuss research and practical information• Assist the Societies members to increase theirprofessional qualifications and to conduct theirscientific works and inventions• Provide scientific and methodological support
in teaching the modern gerontological basics
at high schools and universities• Promote contacts with other Russian societies
working in related sciences• Participate in international scientific societies• Popularise and distribute knowledge andmodern scientific and technical achievements
according to the field of the research activity
The Society was formed in March 1994 and has
been a member of the International Associationof Gerontology since 1997. There are currently
33 regional branches and over 1500 members.
In August 2000, the Society hosted the successful
2nd European Congress of Biogerontology at SaintPetersburg.
Further information: Prof VN Anisimov
Tel: 7 (812) 596 8604
Fax: 7 (812) 596 8947
Email: aging@mail.ru
Web: http://www.gerontology.spb.ru

VANCOUVER 2001
WORLD CONGRESS OF GERONTOLOGYRECORD ATTENDANCE PROJECTED
FOR 2001 WORLD CONGRESS IN
VANCOUVERLouise Frechette, Deputy Secretary-General of
the UN and Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko, Chief ofthe UN Programme on Ageing.

The Canadian Organizing Committee for the 17th
World Congress of Gerontology has been hard atwork processing the over 2000 abstracts and over
1,000 early bird registrations that were submitted
for the December 31 deadline. “It’s shaping up
to be a real success,” says Dr. Gloria Gutman,
Congress President, “We have exceeded ourtargets for the months of December throughMarch, and each day brings more registrations.
People are advised to register early. “We have awonderful program planned” says Gutman. For
example, in addition to the four traditional streamsof Biology, Behavioural and Social Sciences,
Clinical Practice, and Social Policy and Planning,
there will be Continuing Medical Education
sessions throughout the Congress, a program on
Creative Aging through the Arts, a Students
Program as well as a number of special interest
events. These include:• Satellite and supported symposia on treatmentof osteoporosis, the role of SERMS in women’s
health, early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease,ageing without ageism, caregiver time use,
innovations in end-of-life care, and web-based
education and training in gerontology andgeriatrics.

• The 1st Annual Danny Thurz Memorial Lecture
sponsored by the International Federation on
Ageing featuring a presentation by Julia Alvarez,
the United Nations representative from the
Dominican Republic.
• A lecture by Justin Congdon, winner of the 2001
Ipsen Longevity Prize. Congdon is a fieldresearcher with the Savannah River Ecology
Laboratory in South Carolina who has spent 25
years researching the longevity of turtles. At
the award ceremony in Vancouver, he will givea lecture entitled “Old Blanding’s Turtles Never
Die, nor do they Fade Away: Testing
Evolutionary and Senescence Theories ofAging”.
• A plenary session that will explore the goals
and desired outcomes of the 2nd World
Assembly on Aging from the perspective of theUN, national governments, developing countries
and NGOs. Speakers invited to date include• “The Congress presents an unparalleledopportunity to learn from other countries’
experiences while at the same time making
people aware of your country’s expertise” says
Gutman.

OFFICIAL TRAVEL AGENCY AND
AIRLINE
Convention Connections is the Congress’s official
travel agency. You will be automatically enteredinto a gift draw valued at $100 CAN for making
your reservations with them. They guarantee thelowest available fares and best routes to
Vancouver at time of booking and provide$150,000 air flight and common carrier insurance
at no charge, and free ticket delivery anywherein the world. To book, visit their website atwww.conventionconnections.com. If booking
directly with Air Canada, the Congress’s official
airline, be sure to quote the Congress event
number CV374983

IAG MEMBER ORGANISATIONPOSTER SESSION
The IAG Congress planning Committee has invited
all IAG members organisations to exhibit a poster
about their national organisation in Vancouver.
The intention of this poster session is to promote
the work of the national gerontologicalorganisations. The special poster session will takeplace on July 1, 2001 from 9 - 10.30 pm in the
Exhibit Hall of the Vancouver Convention andExhibition Centre, during the opening reception.

IN MEMORIAM - POWELL LAWTON

M Powell Lawton, PhD died on January 29,
2001 as a result of a brain tumour. He was
77. Dr. Lawton was senior research scientist
and director emeritus of the Polisher ResearchInstitute of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center(PGC). He had joined PGC’s research institutein 1963 as its first director. He also was
adjunct professor of human development at
the Pennsylvania State University andprofessor of psychiatry at Temple University
School of Medicine.
In 1997 he was awarded the IAG’s Novartis
Foundation for Gerontological ResearchAward honouring his achievement ingerontological research and his outstanding
record of advancing gerontologicalknowledge. A version of the presentation
made at the time of the award was
subsequently published in Gerontology(1999, 45:4:181-183). His research lead tothe development of geriatric assessment
tools, including the Multilevel Assessment
Instrument, the Morale Scale, the Affect Scaleand, most recently, the Observed Emotion
Rating Scale. The latter Scale enables
researchers and health care professionals tointerpret nonverbal communication, and thus
the emotions, of nursing home residents with
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
His career was marked by many otherawards. He was a Fellow of theGerontological Society of America (GSA) andserved as its president in 1986. In 1981 hereceived the GSA’s Kleemeier Award, in 1991
the Behavioral and Social Sciences Section
Distinguished Career Contribution toGerontology Award.
The family has requested that contributions
in his memory be made to The GerontologicalSociety of America. There is no doubt that
M. Powell Lawton’s influence has been felt
throughout the membership of the IAG andwill continue to inspire future generations ofgerontologists worldwide.

IAG CONGRESS CALENDAR
2001

2003
BUENOS AIRES
Pan American Congress of Gerontology
date to be confirmed at 17th World Congress
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sociedad Argentina de Gerontología y Geriatría
President: Dr. Hugo Alberto Schifis
San Luis 2538 C1056AAD
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telefax: +54 11 4961-0070
e-mail: sagg@intramed.net.arsagg@connmed.com.ar
website: www.sagg.org.ar
July 1 - 6
BARCELONA
5th European Congress of Gerontology
Quality of Life for an Ageing Society
Further information:
IAG European Region Permanent Secretariat
PO Box 91-91, Madrid, Espana
Tel: +34 1 91 3345382
Fax: +34 1 91 3345150
Email: eriag.org

2005
June 24-29
BRAZIL
18th World Congress of Gerontology
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: 55 11 3082 8596
55 11 3088 4751
Fax: 55 11 3083 0473
Email: nortonsa@uol.com.brINTERNATIONAL GERONTOLOGICAL MEETINGS
2001

June 25 - 27

Oct 25 - 27

FRANCE

4th International Congress
International Council for Global Health Progress
Global Health Equity: Medical progress andquality of life in the XXIst century.
Further information: Valerie Caillon
Tel: 01 49 10 09 10
Fax: 01 49 10 00 56
Email: v.caillon@regimedia.fr

June 29-30

FRANCEThe First Congress of the International Academyon Nutrition and Ageing
Palais des Congres,Port Maillot 75017
Tel: 33 1 40 07 11 21
Fax: 33 1 40 07 10 94
Email: mbia@wanadoo.fr

Sept 9 - 14

FRANCE

10th Congress of the International
Psychogeriatric Association (IPA)
Bridging the Gap between Brain and Mind
Nice, France
Tel: 1+847 784 1701
Fax: 1+847 784 1705
Email: ipa@ipa-online.org
Web: www.ipa-online.org/

Oct 2 - 5

ARGENTINA

International Society for Quality in Health Care
18th International Conference
Buenos Aires
Tel: 03 9417 6971
Fax: 03 9417 6851
Email: isqua@isqua.org.au
Web: www.isqua.org.au

Oct 22 - 25

CHINA

1st International Conference on Alzheimer’s
Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders
Deadline for Abstracts: May 30, 2001.
Contact: Dr. Jianzhi Wang or Dr. Ziaochuan
Wang Tongji Medical College
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
13 Hangkong Road
Wuhan,
P.R. China
Tel/Fax: + 086 27 8369 3883

NEW ZEALAND

17th International Alzheimer’s Disease
International Conference
Partnerships in Dementia Care
Christchurch Convention Centre
CHRISTCHURCH
Email: alz@cont.canterbury.ac.nz
Website: www.conference.canterbury.ac.nz/
alzheimer2001

Nov 7 - 9

ARGENTINAIX Congreso Argentino de Gerontología yGeriatría - 50º Aniversario
Hilton Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Organized by the Sociedad Argentina deGerontología y Geriatría
President: Dr. Isidoro Fainstein
Deadline for abstract submission: August 16th, 2001
San Luis 2538 C1056AAD
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Telefax: +54 11 4961-0070
e-mail: sagg@intramed.net.arsagg@connmed.com.ar
website: www.sagg.org.ar

2002

April 1 - 4

VALENCIA, SPAIN

The Valencia Forum, Research, Education andProvider (Practitioner) Input to the 2nd World
Assembly on Ageing.
Auspiced by the IAG
Convenor: Prof Gary Andrews
Registration of Interest to Valencia Forum Secretariat:
Tel: +61 8 8201 7567
Fax: +61 8 8201 7551
Email: melinda.andrews@flinders.edu.au

Oct 27 - 30

INTERNATIONALASSOCIATIONOF GERONTOLOGYAUSTRALIA

3rd International Aged Care Housing Summit
Hotel Sofitel, MELBOURNE
Tel: +61 3 9529 4314
Fax: +61 3 9510 4733
Email: nnew@bigpond.net.au

Nov 8 - 11

IAG

AUSTRALIA

International Federation on Ageing
6th Global Conference
Maturity Matters
PERTH
Tel: +61 8 9322 6906
Fax: +61 8 9322 1734
Email: conwes@congresswest.com.au

Volume 7

May 2001

IAG REGIONAL CHAIRSASIA/OCEANIA
Chair: Dr. Hajime Orimo
The Japan Gerontological Society
Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital
35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-Ku
TOKYO 173 JAPANFax: 81 3 3964 4397
Email: orimo@tmig.or.jp
Secretary: Dr Yoshinosuke Fukuchi
Asia/Oceania Region
Yoshikawa Building No 2
2 Floor 2-9-8 Hongo Bunkyo-ku
TOKYO 113-0033 JAPANFax: +81 3 5684 3382
COMLAT REGION
Chair: Dr Isidoro Fainstein
Secretary: Dra Lia Daidman
Contact:
Dr Miguel Angel Acanfora Vice President
Fax: 54 11 4961 0070
Email: sagg@connmed.com
EUROPEAN REGION
Chair: Dr. Mario Passeri
Instituto Di Clinica Medica
Generale e Terapia Medica
Universita di Parma Via Gramsci 14
PARMA 43100 ITALY
Fax: +39 521 290776
Email: m.passeri@rsadvnet.it
Secretary: Dr Francisco Guillen Llera
Secretary, European Region of IAG
Permanent Secretariat, PO Box 9191
2080 MADRID SPAIN
Fax: +34 133 45150
Email: fguillenl@segg.org
NORTH AMERICAN REGION
Chair: James T. Sykes, M.A.
University of Wisconsin
2100 Rowley Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
Ph: (608) 238 2015
Fax: (608) 238 2013
Email: james.sykes@mail.admin.wisc.edu
Secretary: Norah C Keating PhD
Professor, Dept. of Human Ecology
University of Alberta
3-22 Human Ecology Building
Edmonton, AB, CANADA T6G 2N1
Tel: 780 492 4191 Fax: 780 492 3012