Harmony & IFA form National Alliance to strengthen implementation of National Policy of Older Persons

January 27, 2009: Harmony for Silvers Foundation (Harmony) and International Federation of Ageing (IFA) has formed a National Alliance to create awareness for the holistic implementation of National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP).

Announced in 1999, The National Policy for Older Persons is the only comprehensive and coherent document with focused guidelines aimed at improving the quality of life of senior citizens in India. The policy covers basic needs of senior citizens vis-à-vis financial requirements, security, healthcare, safety and shelter. However, in the last one decade, the implementation of this Policy has recorded incoherent progress. Harmony for Silvers Foundation and IFA has recognized the need to strengthen the implementation of this Policy.

Dr Jane Barratt, Chairperson, International Federation on Ageing reiterated the need for senior citizens to think about issues impacting their day-to-day life. During the workshop, she explained the role of NGOs, advocacy and partnerships with regard to other countries. Exploding myths about ageing vis-à-vis being active in later years and contribution to society, she informed the audience about the increasing population of senior citizens across the world and its impact on their needs.

S D Gokhale of International Longevity Centre reiterated that “The National Alliance will be a platform to talk to the government, national agencies and international organizations to solve problems of ageing. We must strengthen the NPOP by acting as pressure groups. Make NPOP a reliable tool for action. Every policy should have long term goals, short term vision and strategy.”

This National Alliance will work together towards helping senior citizens to assert their rights. Through the National Alliance, Harmony & IFA will be organizing camps and workshops to create awareness about NPOP. Over the next two years, Harmony & IFA plan to organize 25 such workshops out of which 5 will be held across India during the current year.

About International Federation on ageing

Population Ageing is one of the most important challenges facing societies around the world today. It is the essential demographic characteristic of the 21st century. Far from being a crisis, being able to live more active and healthy lives as we grow old represents a triumph in human history. The International Federation Ageing reaches out to people of all nations and disciplines. It works towards sharing knowledge, exchanging information and offers solutions to strengthen its commitment to successful ageing across the world. IFA will host the 10th Global Conference on Ageing at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Australia from May 3-6, 2010.

About Harmony For Silvers Foundation

Harmony for Silvers Foundation, founded in 2004 by Tina Ambani, is a non-government organisation working to enhance the quality of life of the elderly in India. It envisages India’s elderly as ‘Silver Citizens’—vital and proud. Harmony’s mission is to create an environment where silvers, irrespective of their culture beliefs, can retain their dignity, self-respect, pride and self-confidence.

Our facets: Harmony-the magazine; www.harmonyindia.org, the portal; Harmony Interactive Centre for Silver Citizens in South Mumbai; Harmony Senior Citizens’ Run; Harmony Research Division; Harmony Holidays; Harmony Publications; and Harmony Silver Awards.

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