ÿWPCú ˆh®d@\ÌI`³ïAIs,‚Ô»ÜN’{¾¸]ÌU,ÂÙ`W÷¤`È™ÀpØF´”^ÊÉ;deOÅ$ı3I-‚È~+ÿomÔ“¾³TŸ15Œ®gÿèB”…T÷€úmÿ÷Ûğ*ZaöSV£l9Uÿ†&¨ Y›"vº@»—²ÿ{GÂå÷û ˈáo.ÜF#°$á…ÔúWCîå,ÿ¿jîìí}»Î§. ÉL ™NôYäØÜ²ş´'õ¢1ALAeè“Mpƒy½Ûı±i¡Kg0*ÇŞÈ#­ğY  éÄaç|n,.}³UN.“]ÑeìX(;·ZS,ZKŞ6Æ^v!5ÑĞl—ùZü›âI•QaRÕæ]óhSğ¯5P朰Ãócá6Q¦;ŠzEXlİÆ2R±K=AğA¢¡ŠZr"%mŞ/k¯]Ë›f¶"; 3Gû]wkÒ­„B#è™Óò÷¶Pß¿p“K„"·;´fK²G6¼'4b²ŠÕäúq[ôN— T¿Û•+ª3ë(ÿşÉ½¸Ÿ!q$2y«/{]ò_BßYUó]i%Íè`ó3ñ›M¥š*úoa²é¹cèR‡øøš”££rQØW@#ÉlUN5 %ƒ 0(‰h±w41@ mB 0ŒcY 1u¼ 0w1 0Ѝ 0 2 0´Ò 0dž 0ÛM 0ï( 1‡ 1 1 + 72ºNì^ î˜Lexmark X1100 SeriesPX,..,PX0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ €HONOURABLEMRMANOHARRAMSARANHonourablehonourWebsitehonouringneighbourhood$integenerationalcaregiversprogrammesprogramme&intergenerationalyP¤0menHg3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(Oé;$µµà0  àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0` (#(#à(b·¤$¶¶à0  àà0` (#(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚÚ  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0¸ ` (#` (#à(xir$··à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0¸ (#¸ (#à(ŒÜ$¸¸à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0h(#(#à(ŸF$¹¹à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àÔ2#Ô(Ú  ÚÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0Àh(#h(#à(³Àô$ººà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0À(#À(#à(ǵ{$»»à0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àà0À(#À(#àÔ2#ÔÚ  ÚaÚ  Ú)Ô3  Ôà0p(#(#à hœAG_cgkosw{Bullet ListBullet List hùIeimquy}Square BulleSquare Bullet hòVIgkosw{ƒDiamond BullDiamond Bullet```````` i)›­0é İ ƒ!İİ  İÔ_Ôòòò òÓÓÓÓÓ  ÓÑ8€ãtXXdìdÈ8ÑSTATEMENT€BY€THE€Ğ ° ĞMINISTER€OF€SOCIAL€AND€COMMUNITY€DEVELOPMENT€Ğ œì ĞOF€TRINIDAD€AND€TOBAGO,€Ğ ˆØ ĞON€THE€FOLLOW„UP€TO€INTERNATIONAL€YEAR€OF€OLDER€PERSONSó óóóĞ tÄ Ğò òòòAT€THE€54TH€SESSION€OF€THE€UNITED€NATIONS€GENERAL€ASSEMBLYĞ `° Ğ€4òòTHó󀄀5òòTHóó€OCTOBER,€1999€ó óóóĞ L œ ĞÓUÓÓCÓÌÓÓÓ  Óà  àMr.€Chairman,€Distinguished€Members,€Delegates,€I€am€indeed€pleased€and€privileged€toĞ  ` Ğhave€been€invited€to€participate€in€these€Plenary€meetings€of€the€General€Assembly€on€the€follow€upĞ ü L  Ğto€the€International€Year€of€Older€Persons€1999.Ğ è 8  ĞÌà  àPermit€me€to€extend€warmest€greetings€from€the€Prime€Minister,€Government€and€people€ofĞ À  ĞTrinidad€and€Tobago€and€to€commend€the€United€Nations€General€Assembly€for€designating€1999Ğ ¬ü  Ğas€ğ ğInternational€Year€of€Older€Personsğğ€thus€effectively€focusing€the€international€community€onĞ ˜è  Ğthis€unprecedented€phenomenon€of€population€ageing€and€its€implications€globally,€regionally€andĞ „Ô  Ğnationally.€€As€stated€by€the€United€Nations€Secretary„General€at€the€launch€of€the€Year€on€OctoberĞ pÀ Ğ1òòstóó€1998€and€I€quote:„€Ğ \¬ Ğà0  àğ ğ................€We€are€in€the€midst€of€a€silent€revolution€that€extends€well€beyond€demographics,Ğ H˜ Ğwith€major€economic,€social,€cultural,€psychological€and€spiritual€implications......ğğĞ4„(#(# ĞGlobal€statistics€indicate€that€between€1950€and€2000€the€world€population€will€have€increasedĞ  p Ğoverall€by€141%.€€During€this€same€period€the€population€of€those€65€years€and€over€would€haveĞ  \ Ğincreased€218%,€whilst€the€population€of€those€aged€80€years€and€over€would€have€increased€386%.€Ğ øH ĞIt€is€anticipated,€according€to€the€medium€variant€of€population€projections€prepared€by€the€UnitedĞ ä4 ĞNations€Population€Division,€that€between€the€years€2000€and€2050€the€world€population€couldĞ Ğ  Ğincrease€by€54%€and€by€241%€and€380%€respectively€for€the€over€65€and€over€80€years€old.Ğ ¼  ĞÌà  àFurther,€as€we€are€aware,€the€majority€of€older€persons€live€in€developing€countries€and€it€isĞ ”ä Ğanticipated€that€their€proportion€will€exceed€70%€by€the€year€2030.Ğ €Ğ ĞÌà  àTrinidad€and€Tobago,€as€its€fellow€developing€countries,€is€also€faced€with€an€anticipated€andĞ X ¨ Ğunprecedented€growth€in€its€population€aged€60€years€and€over.€€Results€from€our€1990€populationĞ D!” Ğcensus€indicated€that€approximately€105,763€or€8.5%€of€our€population€was€over€60€years.€€ThisĞ 0"€  Ğfigure€is€projected€to€increase€to€above€120,434€by€the€year€2000,€an€increase€of€13.9%,€slightlyĞ #l! Ğhigher€than€the€overall€population€increase.Ğ $X" ĞÌà  àFurther€projections€indicate€that€by€the€year€2010,€the€number€of€older€persons€would€haveĞ à%0!$ Ğrisen€to€161,076.€€By€the€year€2020,€their€numbers€is€projected€to€be€about€230,000€or€15%€of€theĞ Ì&"% Ğpopulation€and€a€growth€of€about€130%€in€just€30€years.Ğ ¸'#& ĞÌà  àThe€population€and€growth€rate€of€older€persons€can€be€expected€to€be€even€higher€with€theĞ )à$( Ğnew€trend€of€return€migration.€€A€recent€survey€of€return€migrants€projects€that€approximately€18.4Ğ |*Ì%) Ğ%€of€returning€migrants€were€sixty€years€old€and€over.Ğ h+¸&* Їà  àMeanwhile,€general€fertility€rates€in€Trinidad€and€Tobago€are€expected€to€fall€from€73.5%Ğ ° Ğper€1000€in€1990€to€64.0%€per€1000€by€the€year€2000.€€Our€projections€for€life€expectancy€assumeĞ œì Ğrates€of€70.62€for€males€and€74.72€for€females€by€the€year€2010.Ğ ˆØ ĞÌà  àThe€Government€of€Trinidad€and€Tobago€therefore€certainly€identifies€with€globalĞ `° Ğdevelopments€in€the€ageing€of€populations.€€Accordingly,€we€have€adopted€the€United€NationğğsĞ L œ Ğconceptual€framework€for€observing€International€Year€of€Older€Persons€which€identified€the€themeĞ 8 ˆ Ğğ ğò òTowards€a€Society€for€all€Agesğğ,€ó óan€overall€objective€to€promote€the€United€Nations€PrinciplesĞ $ t Ğfor€Older€Persons€and€four€(4)€facets€for€debate€and€action,€namely:Ğ  d ĞÌÓ€  (ùx3 Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£2İÔ2ùÔğğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İThe€situation€of€older€persons;݃ 3£2wİŒĞì < ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£İÔ2ùÔğğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İLifelong€individual€development;݃ 3£dİŒĞØ( ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£ İÔ2ùÔğğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İMulti€generational€relationships;€and݃ 3£ RİŒĞÄ ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£İÔ2ùÔğğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İThe€interplay€of€population€ageing€and€development.݃ 3£E݌а ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İThese€four€(4)€facets€were€further€developed€and€integrated€into€the€operational€framework€and€theĞ œì  Ğfollowing€four€dimensions€were€identified:Ğ ˆØ  ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£YİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İRaising€awareness:€towards€a€society€for€all€ages;݃ 3£YİŒĞtĸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£YİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İLooking€ahead:€beyond€1999;݃ 3£YİŒĞ`°¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£BİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İReaching€out:€non„traditional€actors;݃ 3£B‡İŒĞLœ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£5İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İNetworking:€research€and€information€exchange.݃ 3£5zİŒĞ8ˆ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İÌà  àIn€Trinidad€and€Tobago,€a€National€Coordinating€Committee€comprising€representatives€ofĞ ` Ğgovernmental,€non„governmental€and€private€sector€organizations€was€constituted€to€plan€activitiesĞ üL Ğto€observe€the€Year.€€The€Year€was€officially€launched€on€September€30,€1998€by€our€€HonourableĞ è8 ĞPrime€Minister€at€a€cultural€function€which€recognized€the€contributions€of€outstanding€older€personsĞ Ô$ Ğto€society.Ğ À Ğà  àTo€raise€awareness€about€the€theme€and€objective€of€the€Year€several€activities€have€beenĞ ¬ü Ğconducted€locally.€€These€include:Ğ ˜è Ğİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£àİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€publication€of€several€articles€in€the€print€media,€containing€relevantĞ „Ô Ğissues€on€older€persons݃ 3£à%İŒĞpÀ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£% İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İprinting€and€dissemination€of€commemorative€calendars;݃ 3£% j İŒĞ\ ¬¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£)!İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€printing€of€20,000€bumper€stickers;݃ 3£)!n!İŒĞH!˜¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£"İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€distribution€of€information€packages€to€media€houses,€non€governmentalĞ 4"„  Ğorganizations€and€local€government€bodies€for€further€dissemination;݃ 3£"c"݌Р#p!¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£#İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€launch€of€a€week€of€public€awareness;݃ 3£#Ô#݌Р$\"¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£ "İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£†$İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€production€of€a€jingle€for€radio;݃ 3£†$Ë$İŒĞø$H #¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£ "İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£y%İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€production€of€a€theme€song€and€music€video€to€honour€older€persons.€Ğ ä%4!$ ĞThe€jingle€and€videos€are€currently€aired€every€week;݃ 3£y%¾%İŒĞĞ& "%¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£ "İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£Ù&İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İconsultation€with€non€governmental€organizations€and€local€governmentĞ ¼' #& Ğbodies€to€further€sensitize€their€membership€and€the€regional€corporationsĞ ¨(ø#' Ğrespectively;݃ 3£Ù&'݌Д)ä$(¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£ "İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£m(İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İa€conference€on€the€issues€associated€with€active€ageing€was€hosted€by€theĞ €*Ğ%) ĞUniversity€of€the€West€Indies;݃ 3£m(²(İŒĞl+¼&*¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£ "İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£¸)İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İthe€distribution€of€book€marks€and€flyers;݃ 3£¸)ı)݌а¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£°*İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İconduct€of€Health€Clinics€and€health€fairs€for€older€persons€by€bothĞ œì Ğgovernmental€and€non€governmental€agencies;݃ 3£°*õ*݌Јظ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£,İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İradio€interviews€of€senior€citizens;݃ 3£,G,İŒĞtĸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£ô,İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İcultural€extravaganza€for€older€persons€which€involved€traditional€song,Ğ `° Ğdance,€craft€and€food;݃ 3£ô,9-İŒĞL œ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£5.İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İposter€and€essay€competition€for€schools;€İƒ 3£5.z.İŒĞ8 ˆ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£-/İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İbeauty€competition€for€older€persons,€60€years€and€over;݃ 3£-/r/İŒĞ$ t¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£30İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İan€island€tour€of€the€historical€sites€of€Tobago€for€older€persons݃ 3£30x0݌Р`¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£C1İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İa€Best„Kept€Home€Competition€organized€by€the€Trinidad€and€TobagoĞ ü L  ĞChamber€of€Commerce€in€collaboration€with€Government€for€Senior€CitizensĞ è 8  ĞHomes€in€a€bid€to€improve€standards€and€promote€quality;݃ 3£C1ˆ1İŒĞÔ$ ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£ü2İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İan€information€Booklet€on€Trinidad€and€Tobagoğğs€commemoration€ofĞ À  ĞInternational€Year€of€Older€Persons€1999€was€published;݃ 3£ü2A3݌Ьü ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£Y4İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İa€Website€on€issues€relating€to€older€persons€is€in€the€process€of€beingĞ ˜è  Ğestablished;݃ 3£Y44İŒĞ„Ô ¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£5İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İEssay€Writing€Competition€„€UNESCO€sponsored€an€essay€writingĞ pÀ Ğcompetition€for€students€of€secondary€schools.€€The€competition€focused€onĞ \¬ Ğsocial,€economic,€cultural€and€health€issues€regarding€older€persons.݃ 3£5Õ5İŒĞH˜¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àà ` àİ‚ 3£T7İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ¸ àİ  İInternational€Day€of€Older€Persons€is€celebrated€annually€in€Trinidad€andĞ 4„ ĞTobago.€€This€year,€focus€was€placed€on€the€honouring€of€centenarians€inĞ  p Ğaddition€to€which€the€Ministry€of€Social€and€Community€Development€hostedĞ  \ Ğa€luncheon€for€older€persons.݃ 3£T7™7İŒĞøH¸ (#¸ (# ĞŒİ  İÌà  àInitiatives€have€also€been€taken€to€achieve€an€aged€integrated€society.€€These€include:Ğ Ğ  ĞÌİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£Ò9İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İthe€introduction€of€neighbourhood€day€care€services.€€Through€this€initiative,€youngĞ ¨ø Ğpersons€trained€in€geriatric€care€provide€daily€care€services€to€needy€older€persons€inĞ ”ä Ğvarious€communities€throughout€the€country.݃ 3£Ò9 :݌ЀĞ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£”;İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İconduct€of€summer€camps€„€In€an€effort€to€build€integenerational€relationships,Ğ l¼ Ğsummer€camps€were€conducted€in€Tobago€for€children€between€the€ages€of€8€„€14Ğ X ¨ Ğyears.€€Facilitators€for€this€camp€were€retired€older€persons.݃ 3£”;Í;İŒĞD!”` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£Z=İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İtraining€of€caregivers€of€the€elderly€„€Training€courses€were€organized€for€caregiversĞ 0"€  Ğof€older€persons.€€These€courses€targeted€caregivers€at€institutions€and€also€those€whoĞ #l! Ğprovide€care€at€family€residences€to€older€relatives/friends;݃ 3£Z=“=İŒĞ$X"` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£0?İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İreview€of€the€Motor€Vehicle€and€Road€Traffic€Act€„€Existing€legislation€is€currentlyĞ ô$D # Ğbeing€reviewed€to€allow€persons€who€are€65€years€and€over€to€be€allowed€a€three€(3)Ğ à%0!$ Ğyear€driverğğs€permit€in€place€of€the€current€one€(1)€year€permit.݃ 3£0?i?İŒĞÌ&"%` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İÌà  àIn€the€areas€of€looking€ahead€and€research,€the€Government€of€Trinidad€and€Tobago€isĞ ¤(ô#' Ğcurrently€conducting€a€National€Survey€of€the€Living€Conditions€of€Older€Persons.Ğ )à$( ĞÌà  àThe€survey€seeks€to:Ğ h+¸&* ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£»BİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İcollect€data€on€the€economic/psycho€social€conditions€of€the€elderly€in€Trinidad€andĞ ° ĞTobago€and€the€physical€conditions€under€which€they€live;݃ 3£»BôB݌Мì` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İIt€is€expected€to€provide:Ğ ˆØ ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£ğDİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İan€evaluation€of€the€needs€of€the€elderly€based€on€the€survey€data;€and݃ 3£ğD)EİŒĞtÄ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£ùEİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İanalysis€of€the€impact€of€the€projected€growth€in€this€population€sub„group€on€healthĞ `° Ğcare€needs,€human„resource€development,€housing,€changing€family€circumstancesĞ L œ Ğand€the€provision€of€social€services.݃ 3£ùE2FİŒĞ8 ˆ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà  àÌà  àThe€data€collected€will€assist€in€the€formulation€of€long€term€policies€and€programmes.Ğ  ` ĞÌà  àResearch€is€also€being€conducted€by€some€non€governmental€organization€in€the€area€of€folkĞ è 8  Ğlore€amongst€older€persons.€€In€the€area€of€policy€approaches€to€ageing€the€Government€of€TrinidadĞ Ô$  Ğand€Tobago€has€traditionally€sought€to€improve€the€situation€of€older€persons€by€providing€financialĞ À  Ğsupport€through€a€non„contributory€old€age€pension€scheme€and€contributory€retirement€pensionĞ ¬ü  Ğplans.€€This€year€government€again€increased€the€quantum€of€non„contributory€old€age€pension€toĞ ˜è  Ğpersons€65€years€and€over.€€Approximately€60,000€such€persons€benefit€from€this€financial€support.€Ğ „Ô  ĞFurther,€the€income€ceiling€for€eligibility€for€the€pension€was€increased€allowing€additional€numbersĞ pÀ Ğof€senior€citizens€to€become€eligible€for€this€pension.€€National€Insurance€retirees€benefitted€fromĞ \¬ Ğrecent€budgetary€measures€to€increase€National€Insurance€payments€and€benefits.€€FinancialĞ H˜ Ğcontributions€to€nine€government€assisted€Homes€for€the€Aged€were€also€increased.Ğ 4„ ĞÌà  àAdditionally,€a€comprehensive€reform€of€the€entire€national€pension€scheme€is€underway.€Ğ  \ ĞThis€exercise,€which€of€necessity€must€consider€the€increasing€dependency€ratio,€is€expected€to€resultĞ øH Ğin€a€harmonized€pension€system€that€will€bring€greater€equity€to€beneficiaries.€€It€should€be€noted€thatĞ ä4 Ğthe€old€age€dependency€ratio€is€expected€to€increase€from€.18€in€1990€to€.26€in€2020€resulting€inĞ Ğ  Ğfewer€persons€of€working€age€to€support€each€person€over€sixty€years.Ğ ¼  ĞÌà  àApart€from€economic€and€social€security€benefits,€the€government€provides€housing€andĞ ”ä Ğtransportation€relief€for€needy€senior€citizens.€€This€year€a€facility€was€introduced€through€outĞ €Ğ ĞNational€Commission€for€Self€Help€to€undertake€repairs€to€houses€of€needy€senior€citizens€utilizingĞ l¼ Ğthe€resources€of€non€governmental€organizations€or€community€based€organizations€as€monitoringĞ X ¨ Ğand€implementing€agencies.Ğ D!” ĞÌà  àAn€area€of€grave€concern€to€all€of€us€I€am€sure€is€care€of€older€persons.€€I€am€pleased€to€stateĞ #l! Ğthat€at€present€the€Ministries€of€Health,€Social€and€Community€Development€and€Planning€andĞ $X" ĞDevelopment€are€collaborating€on€the€introduction€of€a€programme€of€community€care€which€willĞ ô$D # Ğincorporate€ğ ğageing€in€placeğğ€programmes€and€home€care€for€senior€citizensğğ.Ğ à%0!$ ĞÌà  àThis€initiative€is€currently€the€subject€of€a€consultancy€study€under€the€auspices€of€theĞ ¸'#& ĞMinistry€of€Health.€€In€a€related€area€a€draft€bill€entitled€ğ ğò òHomes€for€Older€Persons€Bill€1999"ó ó€isĞ ¤(ô#' Ğunder€review.€€This€legislation€is€intended€to€provide€for€the€standardization€of€care€andĞ ”)ä$( Ğaccommodation€and€for€a€licensing€regime€for€the€control€of€Homes€for€Older€Persons.Ğ €*Ğ%) ĞĞ l+¼&* Ğà  àMr.€Chairman,€the€International€Year€of€Older€Persons€has€challenged€us€to€review€andĞ ° Ğinitiate€policies€to€ensure€that€we€promote€the€United€Nations€principles€for€Older€Persons.€€UnderĞ œì Ğthe€auspices€of€the€Ministry€of€Social€and€Community€Development€a€committee€has€beenĞ ˆØ Ğestablished€to€develop€a€national€policy€on€ageing€before€the€end€of€1999.à  àĞ tÄ ĞÌà  àThis€policy€will€treat€with€challenges€presented€by€this€demographic€revolution€and€theĞ L œ Ğinnovative€strategies€and€programmes€required€to€respond€to€the€heterogeneity€of€the€population€ofĞ 8 ˆ Ğolder€persons,€their€needs€and€expectations.€€It€will€of€necessity€focus€on€an€integrated€approach€toĞ $ t Ğthe€lifelong€and€society€wide€process€of€ageing,€the€effects€of€globalization€and€the€informationĞ  ` Ğexplosion€in€order€to€realize€a€society€for€all€ages.Ğ ü L  ĞÌà  àAt€the€regional€level,€Trinidad€and€Tobago€has€endorsed€the€Caribbean€Charger€on€HealthĞ Ô$  Ğand€Ageing.€€The€components€of€this€Charter€include:„€Creating€Supportive€Environments€for€OlderĞ À  ĞPersons€at€Home,€in€the€Community€and€in€Long€Term€Care€Facilities;€Primary€Health€Care€andĞ ¬ü  ĞHealth€Promotion;€and€Economic€Security,€Employment€and€Other€Productive€Activities€for€HealthyĞ ˜è  ĞAgeing.Ğ „Ô  ĞÌà  àThe€World€Summit€for€Social€Development€1995€had€as€its€aim€for€social€integration,€ğ ğò òAĞ \¬ ĞSociety€for€Allğğó ó.€€Emerging€from€this€concept€has€been€ò òğ ğA€Society€for€All€Agesğğ.ó óĞ Lœ ĞÌà  àIn€the€area€of€best€practices€for€a€society€for€all€ages,€we€are€guided€by€the€vision€of€a€societyĞ (x Ğwhich€accommodates€itself€to€all€and€in€which€the€interests€of€all€groups€are€considered€andĞ d Ğintegrated;€a€vision€which€places€ageing€within€the€life€cycle€perspective€and€takes€into€account€theĞ P Ğinterdependence€and€reciprocity€of€an€between€the€various€ages€and€social€groups.€€Such€a€societyĞ ì< Ğwould€enable€ò òğ ğthe€generations€to€invest€in€one€another€and€share€in€the€fruits€of€thatĞ Ø( Ğinvestmentğğ.ó ó€€Allow€me€now€to€briefly€refer€to€some€programmes€which€Trinidad€and€Tobago€hasĞ È Ğintroduced€in€this€respect:„Ğ ¸ ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£4_İÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òThe€Geriatric€Adolescent€Partnership€Programme;ó ó݃ 3£4_m_݌Фô` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àThis€programme,€which€has€been€operational€since€1994€provides€persons€17€„€25Ğ ”ä Ğyears€of€age€with€training€in€geriatric€care.€€The€programme€also€includes€a€jobĞ €Ğ Ğplacement€component;Ğl ¼` (#` (# ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£èaİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òAdopt€an€elderly/adopt€a€Home€programmeó ó݃ 3£èa!bİŒĞX!¨` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àThis€programme€which€was€introduced€this€year€aims€at€developing€inter„Ğ H"˜  Ğgenerational€relationships€between€young€and€older€persons€with€a€view€toĞ 4#„! Ğestablishing€interdependence€of€all€individuals€and€society.€€It€is€envisaged€that€allĞ  $p" Ğgroups€can€share€in€activities€that€will€not€only€assist€the€older€persons,€but€will€alsoĞ  %\ # Ğbe€of€great€benefit€to€young€persons.€€One€current€example€is€a€project€by€a€group€ofĞ ø%H!$ Ğyoung€persons€to€repair€a€senior€citizens€Home.Ğä&4"%` (#` (# ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£äeİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òSenior€Citizens€Bureauó ó݃ 3£äefİŒĞĞ' #&` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àA€Bureau€was€established€in€Trinidad€in€1997€in€collaboration€with€a€nonĞ À($' Ğgovernmental€organization€„€the€Trinidad€and€Tobago€Association€of€RetiredĞ ¬)ü$( ĞPersons.€€It€is€a€skills€register€of€older€persons€over€60€years€who€would€like€toĞ ˜*è%) Ğcontribute€to€the€national€community€in€their€particular€area€of€expertise.€€The€BureauĞ „+Ô&* Ğaims€to€provide€the€public€with€readily€available€information€on€the€skills€andĞ ° Ğresources€of€older€persons€and€to€make€these€resources€available€upon€request.€Ğ œì ĞAnother€Bureau€was€opened€in€Tobago€this€year.ЈØ` (#` (# ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£(jİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òPeer€Support€Groupsó ó݃ 3£(jajİŒĞtÄ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àThis€is€an€initiative€of€the€non€governmental€sector€and€is€intended€to€build€solidarityĞ d´ Ğamongst€older€persons.ĞP  ` (#` (# ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£glİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òRetirees€Adolescent€Partnership€Programmeó ó݃ 3£gl lİŒĞ< Œ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àThis€programme€envisages€the€employment€of€senior€citizens€to€work€with€juniorĞ , | Ğsecondary€school€students€during€their€out€of€school€hours.€€Senior€citizens€will€assistĞ  h Ğthe€young€persons€with€their€homework€and€impart€skills€and€craft€training.Ğ T ` (#` (# ĞØ! !ØÓ€  (òVxx Óİ"‚ 3£"İİ  İà  àİ‚ 3£ToİÔ2òVÔğ`ğÔ3  Ôà0 ` àİ  İò òTalk€Showsó ó݃ 3£TooİŒĞğ @ ` (#` (# ĞŒİ  İà0  àà0` (#(#àThese€shows€are€soon€to€be€produced€and€will€service€to€foster€intergenerationalĞ à0  Ğrelationships€by€attempting€to€create€linkages€between€older€persons€and€youngerĞ Ì  Ğindividuals.и ` (#` (# ĞÌà  àWithout€doubt€much€more€is€required€to€promote€this€vision€of€active€and€healthy€lifelongĞ à  Ğageing.€€There€is€need€to€incorporate€ageing€modules€in€our€school€curriculum.€€If€we€are€to€trulyĞ |Ì Ğcreate€a€ò òğ ğA€Society€for€All€Agesğğó ó€we€need€to€target€our€youth€and€equip€them€with€new€knowledgeĞ h¸ Ğto€be€able€to€reach€their€own€later€years€as€the€beneficiaries€of€good€health,€income€security€and€withĞ X¨ Ğsupportive€social€networks;€we€need€to€introduce€formal€training€in€gerontology€at€tertiary€levels;Ğ D” Ğto€revisit€issues€of€gender€inequality,€particularly,€as€we€recognize€the€tendency€for€women€to€liveĞ 0€ Ğto€a€ripe€old€age€and€their€expanding€role€as€a€result€of€urbanization,€migration€and€the€incidence€ofĞ l ĞHIV/AIDS.Ğ X ĞÌà  àLet€me€assure€you€that€the€issue€of€ageing€has€been€placed€high€on€my€governmentğğs€agenda.€Ğ à0 ĞOnly€recently€government€at€Parliamentary€level€participated€in€the€Latin€American€and€CaribbeanĞ Ì ĞSymposium€on€Older€Persons€held€from€September€08€„€10,€1999€in€Santiago,€Chile.Ğ ¸ ĞÌà  àWe€recognize€that€there€is€urgent€need€to€put€in€place€the€required€measures€to€treat€with€thisĞ à Ğunprecedented€and€rapidly€occurring€phenomenon.€€I€look€forward€to€the€contributions€of€myĞ |Ì Ğcolleagues€at€this€memorable€meeting€and€to€share€experiences€and€best€practices€to€promote€theĞ h ¸ Ğinterests€of€our€older€persons€and€to€prepare€society€and€the€world,€as€we€enter€the€new€millennium.€Ğ T!¤ ĞThis€is€important€for€future€generations€of€senior€citizens,€a€group€towards€which€I€myself€amĞ @"  Ğprogressing.Ğ ,#|! ĞÌI€thank€you.à ` àà ¸ à