NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS RESEARCH PRIORITIES ON AGEING TO BE IDENTIFIED AT EXPERT MEETING IN VIENNA, 1-3 FEBRUARY

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS RESEARCH PRIORITIES ON AGEING TO BE IDENTIFIED AT EXPERT MEETING IN VIENNA, 1-3 FEBRUARY

A consultative meeting of 30 experts will convene in Vienna from 1 to 3 February 1999, to identify priorities that will guide and direct research on ageing into the next century, and develop the Research Agenda for the twenty- first Century. The first of its kind, the meeting will consist of a series of plenary and group activities based on the four facets of the United Nations conceptual framework for considering a society for all ages, which is the theme of the International Year of Older Persons 1999.

One of the great triumphs of the twentieth century has been the extraordinary increase in life expectancy. The world now faces the prospect of an unprecedented rate of population ageing. In 1950, there were about 200 million persons aged 60 or older. Today, persons in that age group now number almost 550 million and rising. One of five persons will be 60 years or older by the year 2050 and one of three persons by 2150.

The full impact of the world's demographic changes will not be felt in developed countries for another decade and a half, and even longer in developing countries. Assessing that prospect, the Secretary-General, in his 1997 report, stated, "If developing countries are to react effectively and in time to the ageing of their populations, a new research agenda is needed, one which works within the resource limitations of countries, but provides the essential information for a rapid policy response."

The period leading up to 2000 provides a window of opportunity to examine a range of suitable policy responses -- policy responses informed by research. The Vienna meeting will identify gaps in the knowledge base, as well as areas and topics of high priority for future research. The experts will propose follow-up activities and work, such as researching specific topic areas, proposing directions for future research and formulating possible policy interventions and programmes.

The experts come from a wide range of research backgrounds and disciplines, including health sciences, planning, economics and the social and behavioral sciences. The names of the participants and program of the meeting can be provided on request.

For further information, contact Shala Mokgethi, Development and Human Rights Section, Department of Public Information, United Nations. Tel.: (212) 963-8104; fax: (212) 963-1186; e-mail: Mokgethi@un.org.

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