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12-13 December this year in Bishkek hosted the International Conference "Improving national policies on aging issues in the CIS: Experience of AgeNet network partners and prospects for cooperation"

12-13 December this year in Bishkek hosted the International Conference "Improving national policies on aging issues in the CIS: Experience of AgeNet network partners and prospects for cooperation"

The participants of conference was international and regional experts, representatives of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, a number of ministries, international organizations, members of international AgeNet International Network of Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Georgia.

CURRENT CHALLENGES

Since independence, the Kyrgyz Republic were adopted more than 200 government programs aimed at addressing different target groups. Unfortunately, the problems and needs of senior citizens of the Republic are not considered at the national level in the development of national programs and policies. Meanwhile, an aging population is one of the global problems of the modern world. According to UN data in 2005 more than one billion people are stepped over the 60-year milestone. The social policy  needs  of radically changes, for people to grow old with dignity, without fear for their future, were financially secure, have access to basic public services.

WHY KYRGYZSTAN?

In 2005 by the initiative of 22 organizations concerned with aging issues in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan was established International Gerontological network AgeNet International, whose aim is to promote government accountability and civil society to improve the situation of vulnerable elderly people

The number of elderly people in Kyrgyzstan on 1th January, 2016 is 448 thousand people, which is 8% of the population. Over the next 10 years the number of older people will continue to grow.

The first research of the aging process in the Kyrgyz Republic was initiated by AgeNet International that covered 4,000 households in various aspects of life of elderly person. It included violence, food security, access to public services, etc. The results of the research was presented at the Conference.

In 2002, Kyrgyzstan acceded to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). According to the framework was held 9 conferences from 2004 to 2016 and adopted 5 declarations.

In October 2016 the proposal to include in the agenda of the Coordinating Council of Social Affairs under the Government the need to develop The integrated national program for older citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic was lobbied  by AgeNet network.  It was decided to form an interdepartmental working group on development of the State of a national program to improve the quality of life of older people in the 2018-2027. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE:

To analyze and discuss international experience in the field of social policy and health care for senior citizens of different countries.

Examine the best practices in three main directions of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing:

- Elderly people and development of society;

- Health and well-being in elderly age;

- An environment that supports human development..

Identify priorities of AgeNet network with concerned parties within the framework of the National Sustainable Development Strategy of the Kyrgyz Republic for the period 2017-2022 years.

Consider priorities for elderly people within the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 15 of them emphasize the influence and participation of the elderly.

The first day was included the report of  RCSK President Azamat Bayalinov that revealed the theme of the need for cooperation of the public sector with the business, non-governmental organizations and civil society. It was about the possibilities of social demands for public services in the framework of municipal budgets.

The organizers of the conference is the International Network of Gerontology «AgeNet International», with the support of  Resource Centre for the Elderly,  ADRA Kyrgyzstan, Diabetic and Endocrinological Association of Kyrgyzstan, HelpAge International, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan.