Over 350 delegates gather at Dublin conference on ageing

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, officially opened “Ageing Globally-Ageing Locally” an international conference on population ageing at Croke Park in Dublin on Wednesday, 2^nd November, 2011.

Population ageing is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. By 2040, for the first time in human history, older people will outnumber children. On the island of Ireland there are already nearly one million people aged 60 years or older and by 2041 this is expected to more than double. This demographic transformation will result in dramatic social, economic and personal impacts both at home and globally.

President of Ireland, Mary McAleese said, “Planning now for an ageing population will help to build an ‘age-friendly’ Ireland; one that enables people as they grow older to maintain and improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing; one that offers older people opportunities to participate in society according to their individual needs, preferences and capacities. That will mean making evidence-based, culturally-appropriate policy choices and ensuring that older people are central to the development of policies that affect their lives.”

Dr Roger O’Sullivan, Director of CARDI said, “One of the greatest achievements of recent history is that we are living longer than ever before. Medical advances, improved diet and living conditions and better healthcare have resulted in an unprecedented ageing of our populations. While many advances have been made there are still considerable health, social and economic challenges to be overcome. It is in all our interests to invest time, effort, attention and resources in planning for the future and to help ensure that longer lives are also healthier, happier and fulfilling.”

The conference, hosted by CARDI, has attracted over 350 delegates from all over the world. It will feature keynote speeches from Sir Michael Marmot, University College London, Professor Ann Martin-Matthews, University of British Columbia and Professor Rose Ann Kenny, Trinity College Dublin. Over 120 pieces of the latest research developments on ageing will be presented at the event which will run over two days (2 & 3 November). The findings of new research on chronic conditions in older people will also be presented at the event. Full details and the programme are available at www.cardi.ie

Editors Notes:

Media Contact:

Nicola Donnelly

Communications Officer

Centre for Ageing Research & Development in Ireland (CARDI)

Mob no: 00 353 (0) 867 927 684

Email: nicola@cardi.ie

The Centre for Ageing Research and Development in Ireland (CARDI) is a not for profit organisation developed by leaders from the ageing sector across Ireland (North and South). Established in 2008, with the support of The Atlantic Philanthropies, it brings together age focussed researchers with the statutory, voluntary and community sector to address the gap between research and policy and practice relating to ageing.  More information: www.cardi.ie