EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

PresidentGloria M. Gutman, PhD (Canada)

Secretary-General/Vice-PresidentJohn E. Gray, PhD (Canada)

TreasurerAndrew V. Wister, PhD (Canada)

President-electNorton Sayeg, MD (Brazil)

Past PresidentGary Andrews, MD (Australia)

SECRETARIAT

International Association of GerontologyGerontology Research CentreSimon Fraser University2800-515 West Hastings StreetVancouver, BC, Canada V6B 5K3tel +1 604 268 7972fax +1 604 291 5066email iag@sfu.caweb http://www.sfu.ca/iag

Betty NorrisIAG Executive Director

Published semi-annually, the IAGNewsletter is designed and edited byMykle Ludvigsen

IAG in 2001 – 2005: New Directions,New Initiatives, New Opportunities

Message from the President

The objectives of the IAG are to promote research on aging, topromote the training of high quality personnel, to disseminateresearch information and best practices via a quadrennialCongress and to promote the interests of nationalgerontological societies in international affairs.

Over the past four years, the identification of knowledge gapsand research needed in order to elaborate sound public policy

on aging has been a major activity for the IAG. Undertaken to assist the UNProgramme on Ageing with the development of a Research Agenda on Ageing forthe 21st Century, the IAG convened a series of expert consultations, which broughttogether a distinguished group of scholars from around the world. During themeetings of this multidisciplinary group, of which I was a part, a number ofrecurring themes emerged which resulted in the identification of the following sixpriority areas for research:

1) Identification of current practices and options for maintaining material securityinto old age

2) Research into changing family structures, intergenerational transfer systems andemergent patterns of family and institutional dynamics

3) Research into the determinants of healthy aging

4) Research into the basic biological mechanisms and age associated disease

5) Research into quality of life and aging in diverse cultural, socio-economic andenvironmental situations

6) Research into the relationships between population aging and socio-economicdevelopment

The theoretical and practical underpinnings and the details of the ResearchAgenda will be further elaborated in April, 2002 in the context of the ValenciaForum, an event auspiced by IAG with the objective of formulating research,educational and provider input into the 2nd UN World Assembly on Aging.

The 2nd World Assembly on Ageing (WAA2) which will take place in Madrid,Spain April 8-12, 2002 is viewed by many in the gerontological community as apivotal opportunity for governments to become better informed about individualand population aging and to take actions that will improve the human conditionfor older persons worldwide. For many of us, WAA2 has rekindled the enthusiasm

BY GLORIA M. GUTMAN

IAG NewsletterVolume 17, No. 1 December 2001

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and optimism about aging and theaged that was generated during1999 by the UN’s InternationalYear of the Older Person.

Continued Emphasis on Research

With respect to IAG’s mandate topromote and facilitate research onaging, the next logical step afterWAA2 will be to assist local,national and international govern-mental and non-governmentalgroups and agencies tooperationalize the conceptsoutlined in the UN ResearchAgenda on Ageing. In partnershipwith our Regional Committees,and in conjunction with theRegional Congresses that will takeplace in 2003, I envision IAGconvening a series of focusedresearch workshops. For example,at the recent World Congress inVancouver there were four sympo-sia, which brought togethergroups from around the worldengaged in national level longitu-dinal studies on aging:

#57: Biological, Behavioural andHealth Care Determinants ofTransitions in Health Status ofOlder Persons: Comparisons fromInternational Longitudinal Studies- S. Maggi (Italy) & E. Dowd(Switzerland), Conveners

#109: Australian LongitudinalStudy of Ageing: InternationalComparative Perspectives - G.Andrews (Australia), Convener

#289: Longitudinal Studies -Multidisciplinary Aspects - T.Svensson (Sweden), Convener

#495: Cross-European Longitudi-nal Study of Aging (EXCELSA):Preliminary Results -

R. Fernandez-Ballesteros (Spain),Convener

There was also a poster session(#133) describing the methodol-ogy and findings of the CanadianStudy of Health and Aging. TheCSHA is a 3-wave study thatcommenced in 1991 of over 10,000randomly selected Canadiansaged 65+ (I. McDowell, PI).

Collectively, the research groupsparticipating in these sessionshave an enormous amount ofexperience on what to do (andwhat not to do) in attempting togather quality longitudinal data.To date, the focus has been on thefindings from these studies (preva-lence and incidence data). In thisera of enhanced accountabilityand performance-indicator focus,the methodological informationfrom major national-level longitu-dinal studies needs to be distilled,packaged and distributed. Coun-tries need to be able to measureand count the impact of newpolicies and policy changes thataffect their older population. Thegerontological research commu-nity has seasoned experts who canhelp with the task. IAG can assistinterested governments in identi-fying these individuals and bringthem together for ‘research sum-mits’. Our unique perspective isthat of a multidisciplinary organi-zation that not only crosscutsdisciplinary lines and professionsbut also brings together basic andapplied researchers, funders andconsumers of research.New Focus on Education

To operationalize the UN ResearchAgenda on Ageing for the 21st

century will, among other things,require the training of a coterie ofhighly qualified basic and appliedresearchers in aging who cantranslate and transfer informationfrom the laboratory workbench orcommunity field study site to thehighest rungs of government aswell as to grassroots communityorganizations.

If 1997–2001 was the quadrenniumof research focus for the IAG, I seethe next four years as thequandrennium in which we reachout and strongly grasp the chal-lenge of meeting the educationaland training needs of an agingpopulation. In addition to basicand applied researchers, targetpopulations include health andsocial service providers workingwith older persons in a wide arrayof community settings; in acuteand long-term care facilities; andin areas and settings not tradition-ally targeted for gerontologyeducation — e.g. EmergencyPhysicians do not routinely have amodule on geriatrics in theirgeneric training yet they may bethe first to see and provide treat-ment to a victim of elder abuse.

The modern tools of communica-tion — the Internet, CD-ROMS,DVDs — present unprecedentedopportunities to extend existingGerontology and Geriatricstraining programs internationally.The Gerontology Program at myown University (SFU) has had thisas a major objective for its Post-baccalaureate Diploma Programfor the last several years. We arepoised and ready to go but theprocess has bogged down — avictim of the inefficiencies of

President’s Message

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thinking small. While individualeducators such as myself can forgelinks with other individual educa-tors in other countries, and indi-vidual universities can haveformal affiliation agreements withother universities (e.g. SFU andBen Gurion University), some-thing more is needed. Here againthe IAG, through its Regions, canhelp. Over the next four years,under IAG auspices I hope toconvene a number of “educationsummits” in which academic unitssuch as the SFU GerontologyProgram, which has 15+ years ofexpertise in delivering a gerontol-ogy masters degree, minor and adiploma program and experiencewith both face-to-face and tradi-tional distance education methods,can collaborate with groups ofeducational institutions in otherregions. Some of these may cur-rently lack content expertise inGerontology but may bring to thetable distance education deliverymethods that we have not yetexplored. The potential is veryexciting.Working Together in a ChangingWorld

Preparation for the 17th WorldCongress began 10 years beforewhen it was decided that Canadawould bid for the 2001 meeting.The impetus for that bid arose twoyears earlier when I returned, insummer 1989, from the 14th WorldCongress in Acapulco, Mexico. InAcapulco I noted that Canada hadmany innovative research, educa-tional and service delivery en-deavors in the area of geriatricsand gerontology that other coun-tries were not aware of and that

Canada, in turn, had much tolearn from other countries. TheAcapulco Congress was alsoimportant for me personally, forthe development of the theme forthe 17th World Congress and forthe direction that I hope to leadthe IAG during my term of officein that it was in Acapulco that Ifirst became aware of the rapidpace at which population aging istaking place in the developingworld.

The theme of the 17th WorldCongress “Global Aging: WorkingTogether in a Changing World”reflects three ideas:

• That population aging istaking place world wide,

• That we must work togetherto solve problems of diseaseand disability managementand prevention, and toenhance the quality of life ofolder persons, and

• That we must be open to newideas, identify and grasp newopportunities and recognizethe potentials for growth anddevelopment — on anindividual level, populationlevel, and within the IAGitself — as the world aroundus changes.

Right from the start, the idea offostering international communi-cation and collaboration was adirective for the OrganizingCommittee of the 17th WorldCongress. It was reflected in theselection of individuals to conveneinvited symposia and in theinstructions that they were given –specifically, that symposia were to

include at least two countries andideally, four to six. It was reflectedin the attempts that we made tofacilitate participation of individu-als from developing countries andfrom countries in transition. Aquick glace at the first few pagesof the Congress program and Bookof Abstracts which are available onthe IAG website (http://www.sfu.ca/iag) will tell you thatwe succeeded in our goal. In total,75 countries were representedamong the registered delegates —more than in any previous IAGCongress. The majority of ourinvited symposia were interna-tional.Grasp the Challenge

The rest is up to you — if youattended the Congress inVancouver you need to follow-upwith colleagues from other coun-tries that you met there. If youwere unable to attend, make plansto join us at the Valencia Forum inSpain in April 2002 and to attendyour Region’s quadrennial Con-gress in 2003. In this newsletteryou will find information abouteach Region’s activities over thelast four years and will findinformation about the ValenciaForum. We also draw your atten-tion to the new IAG website whichamong other things, contains aregularly updated calendar ofupcoming national, regional andinternational events.

President’s Message

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Highlights from the Council Meetings held during the World CongressBY JOHN E. GRAY

Secretary-General’s Report

New MemberOrganizations

Membershipincreased in the

previous year by 5 national or-ganizations including the Geronto-logical Society of Malaysia, MalteseAssociation of Gerontology andGeriatrics, Philippine Association ofGerontology, Thai Society of Gerontol-ogy and Geriatric Medicine andSwedish Gerontological Society. Atthe Vancouver meeting an applica-tion for membership from theSouth African Gerontological Associa-tion/South African Geriatrics Society,the first national application fromthe African continent, was accepted.There are currently 63 societies thatare members of the IAG, represent-ing 60 countries (for historicalreasons the UK has 3 membersocieties and the USA has two).Financial Report

The IAG books have been audited.Over the 4-year period the figuresare:

Income (including $AUD 113,358from Hungary)=$AUD 537,063

Expenditure= $AUD 319,560

Surplus for period= $AUD 217,503

Non working capital (emergencyfund) Credit Suisse= $USD 73,062

World Congress Sites

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was con-firmed as the site for the 18th

World Congress June 26 to 30,2005. Dr Norton Sayeg was con-firmed as the President of theOrganizing Committee andPresident-elect of IAG. Dr. Sayegasked members to forward sug-gestions for invited symposiatopics and conveners.

Paris, France was selected as thesite for the 19th World Congress in2009. Excellent presentations forhosting a World Congress werealso made by Hong Kong andSeoul, Korea.

Strategic Directions

The following strategic directionswere presented at the 50th Anni-versary meeting of the Council inSalsomaggiore, Italy in 2000 andwere discussed in Vancouver.

(a) Wider Membership of IAGA motion that would widen themembership to include onenational geriatrics association percountry as well as one geronto-logical society was discussed butwithdrawn. It was recommendedthat the new Executive closelyexamine membership to see howwe can engage more effectivelywith single discipline bodies andbring back a report to the nextCouncil meeting.

(b) Improved Interactivity andCommunication within IAGIt was agreed that the incomingExecutive give consideration toways in which the IAG can bemore interactive with the member-ship between Congresses. Websitedevelopment was one means,electronic meetings another. GloriaGutman stated her intent to holdCouncil meetings between Con-gresses.

(c) Interaction with the Second WorldAssembly on AgeingThe IAG is showing its supportand is participating actively inWAA2 through sponsoring theValencia Forum, participating inthe development of the NGOForum and through its consulta-tive status at the UN.

(d) Review of IAG legal status andBy-lawsAction is being taken to addressminor changes in the by-lawsrequired by Belgium, where IAG isincorporated.

Manual of Operating ProceduresMary Luszcz was thanked for herwork on updating this documentand the changes were approved.Regional reports, presentedduring the Council meetings, areseparately presented in thisNewsletter.

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The 17th World Congress of Gerontology of theInternational Association on Gerontology (IAG) washeld in Vancouver, BC July 1-6. The VancouverConvention and Exhibition Centre, with its spectacu-lar architecture, provided excellent facilities for thedelegates who came from 75 countries. A record totalof 4,086 delegates attended the Congress, including720 students and seniors, making this the largest IAGCongress to date. (The 16th Congress in 1997 inAdelaide had a registration of 2,035 with 65 countriesrepresented. Theprevious attendancerecord was in 1985 inNew York whereregistration totaled3,100 and 66 countrieswere represented.)

In total, the ScientificProgram Committeeapproved nearly 3,000abstracts. Theseincluded 1,124 freepapers, 860 posters, 220 symposia and workshops, 31video presentations, 24 round tables, 4 keynotesessions and 3 special lectures.

A Continuing Medical Education program, which ranthroughout the Congress, attracted many health carepractitioners and other interested delegates to stand-ing room only sessions. Another popular specialtyprogram that drew broad attendance focused onAging and the Arts. In the many letters and e-mailsthat have been sent to the Secretariat since the close ofthe Congress, delegates have noted the depth, diver-sity and scope of the Scientific Program. They havealso commented on the high quality of such ancillaryprograms as the series of 13 site visits that werearranged to facilities and services for seniors in thelocal area.

The Exhibition and Trade Show provided an excellentvenue for the poster sessions and for the networking

2001 World Congress a Resounding Success17th World Congress

BY GLORIA M. GUTMANthat is so important at any conference but especiallyso at an international congress. The 115 exhibitsprovided a broad array of information — fromacademic gerontology centers and programs, govern-ment agencies, NGOs as well as from the commercialsector.

A major aim of the Organizing Committee was tobring the concept of global aging and informationabout new research on aging and the aged to theworld stage via the media. Many international

experts were inter-viewed by the 91accredited radio, TV,magazine and news-paper reporters whoattended the Congressas well as by the localmedia, resulting inunprecedentedworldwide coverageof a gerontologicalscientific event.

A successful Congress requires a team effort. Con-gress President Gloria Gutman, Congress ManagerBetty Norris, Scientific Program Chair Andrew Wisterand the other members of the Canadian OrganizingCommittee headquartered at the SFU GerontologyResearch Centre for the preceding 8 years, wereassisted by a very dedicated and hardworking staffcomprised entirely of students. All received invalu-able experience, which they will take with them asthey resume their academic studies or move forwardinto their chosen careers. The help of the over 100volunteers who provided valuable assistance in theweek before and during the Congress is also grate-fully acknowledged. The Organizing Committee alsowishes to thank the IAG Program Planning Commit-tee, which assisted with the identification of topicsand convenors for the 113 invited symposia whichtook place during the Congress. The IAG PlanningCommittee, it should be noted, is chaired by the

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President-elect and includes the Chairs of the fourIAG Regions (Asia/Oceania, Europe, North America,Latin America and the Caribbean), the current andpast IAG President and the Scientific Program Chair.For the 2001 Congress, it also included representa-tives of the Gerontological Society of America, theCanadian Association on Gerontology and the Ameri-can Geriatric Society, the United Nations Programmeon Ageing, the World Health Organization’s Ageingand Lifecourse Program and the Pan AmericanHealth Organization.

During the Congress, representatives of the 63 IAGmember organizations came together for two Councilmeetings, which included the election of the newExecutive Committee for 2001–2005. Highlights ofthe many decisions included:

• Ratification of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as the site forthe 18th IAG World Congress, June 26–30 2005 andselection of Paris, France as the site of the 19th IAGWorld Congress in 2009.

• Endorsement of President Gloria Gutman’s plan ofaction, which includes continued emphasis onresearch and new initiatives in the area of educationand training.

• Strong support for the Valencia Forum, a major IAGactivity that takes place April 1–4, in Valencia, Spain.The Forum will contribute scientific knowledge to theUnited Nation’s Second World Assembly on Ageingwhich will be held a week later in Madrid, Spain.

The very successful 17th IAG World Congress ofGerontology was the culmination of 10 years of effort.The planning started in 1991; in 1992 the CanadianAssociation on Gerontology Board of Directors en-dorsed Dr. Gutman and Secretary-General John Gray’sproposal to bid for the 2001 Congress ; Vancouver waschosen as the site by the IAG Council in Budapest in1993. The new Canadian leadership of the IAG looksforward to the next four years as together with the IAGRegional leadership and member organizations, it seeksto better the lives of seniors throughout the world.

Congress Publications:

Audio and videotapes of 80 sessions including keynotesessions, selected invited symposia and continuingmedical education sessions are available for purchase from

Kennedy Recordings (www.kennedyrecordings.com/conf/gerontology.htm).

For the first time ever, the Congress Book of Abstractswas published as a special edition of Gerontology,International Journal of Experimental, Clinical andBehavioural Gerontology, published by Karger Medicaland Scientific Publishers [Vol. 47(suppl.1) 1-718 (2001) –ISSN 0304-324X]. For many years Gerontology has had abyline indicating that it was the official organ of theIAG but hitherto, IAG input has consisted mainly ofhaving a representative on the editorial board. TheBook of Abstracts may be accessed and searched via theCongress website (www.harbour.sfu.ca/iag). Hardcopies of the program book, which lists the 551 sessions,and the 718 page abstract book are available from the IAGVancouver Secretariat. Cost for the two is $20 CAN +postage. To order, email iag@sfu.ca.

Plans for proceedings have not yet been finalized and thesemay take several forms including an edited collectionavailable in print and/or CD-ROM form and/or a series ofjournal articles in Gerontology and elsewhere. Check thenew IAG website (www.sfu.ca/iag) for more information.

Attendance by Region and CountryAfricaCameroon 2Egypt 2Guinea 1Kenya 5Nigeria 11Qatar 1R.D. Congo 1South Africa 11Tanzania 1Zimbabwe 1Asia-OceaniaAustralia 166China 145Fiji 1Hong Kong 10India 15Indonesia 8Japan 245Korea 58Malaysia 5New Zealand 24Pakistan 1Philippines 3Singapore 18Thailand 12

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In the Public Eye

In the first week of July, 2001, theWorld Congress of Gerontologybrought the topic of aging and theaged to popular culture andengaged the attention of the publicat large. There was coverage in allthe main local news outlets, inprint, radio, television, and maga-zine. There was significant pen-etration in the Canadian nationalmedia as well as comprehensivecoverage by the internationalpress.

Particularly in some of the localpublications, the IAG was posi-tioned as the key organizationfacilitating discussion about issuesregarding the aged. Some articleseven placed the IAG on the samelevel of prominence as organiza-tions such as the UN.

From the beginning, the WorldCongress Organizing Committeemade every effort to ensure thatthe Congress would be remem-bered not only for the quality ofthe research presented, but also forraising public awareness of theissues surrounding global aging.Efforts were made early on toensure the selection of keynotespeakers who could report theirresearch in ways that would bereadily understandable. Themedia was thought to be anessential tool in ensuring that theresearch found its way to a largeraudience — people who may havethought of gerontology simply asan academic exercise.

As an example, the 17th WorldCongress was reported on thefront page of the Vancouver Sun(Vancouver’s leading broadsheetdaily newspaper) three days in arow. This was an importantachievement in a city accustomedto holding conferences and con-gresses — some much larger thanthe IAG Congress. From olderdrivers, to the latest fashiondesigns in the exhibition hall, to apresenter being reunited with hisbiological mother, the coverageput across the image that gerontol-ogy was much more than just thestudy of “old people.” Rather itshowed gerontologists to beinterested in the entire lifespan,lifestyle, and economic trends. Theidea was conveyed that individualand population aging are indeedphenomena to be watched.

The 2001 World Congress ofGerontology was an indisputablePublic Relations success. In termsof long-term planning, this kind ofcommunications positioning isessential for the prestige of theorganization and it is critical thatPublic Relations efforts be main-tained and the media kept abreastof activities that are occurring inthe IAG Secretariat in Vancouverand throughout the world. Themedia momentum built up at the17th Congress should be followedthrough to the 18th Congress in Riode Janeiro.

Coverage of 17th Congress ExtensiveBY MYKLE LUDVIGSEN, CONGRESS MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR

EuropeAlbania 1Austria 15Azerbaijan 4Belgium 40Czech Republic 3Denmark 21England 158Finland 41France 153Georgia 2Germany 68Greece 4Hungary 9Iceland 4Iran 3Ireland 9Israel 58Italy 63Luxembourg 1Malta 5Netherlands 49Norway 24Poland 4Portugal 46Romania 7Russia 10Scotland 11Slovak Republic 8Spain 51Sweden 64Switzerland 44Ukraine 4Wales 9Latin America and CaribbeanArgentina 44Bermuda 2Bolivia 1Brazil 86Chile 14Columbia 5Costa Rica 1Cuba 5Dominican Rep. 2Mexico 48Paraguay 1Peru 2Puerto Rico 2St. Vincent 1Venezuela 1West Indies 3North AmericaCanada 1487USA 641

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Our RegionsAsia - Oceania Region

BY HAJIME ORIMO, CHAIR, 1997 – 2001The Asia/Oceania Region of IAG was established in1978 by Australia and Japan. Currently, there are 14countries represented. Congresses are held every fouryears. The planning of these is the responsibility ofthe Regional Council while the local organization actsas the secretariat. We have established a number ofscientific subcommittees which are the backbonewhen it comes to planning the program for ourcongresses. We have also explored options for ensur-ing that our member associations are kept in touch.These include a newsletter, and occasional specialmeetings (e.g. the 2nd Sino/Japanese symposium,Beijing,1995; Longevity Science Foundation Sympo-sium, Aichi, Japan, October 2000).

In terms of perspective for the 21st Century – there area number of issues of common concern to the coun-tries of our Region. First, there is a need to establishappropriate social systems to cope with the rapidgrowth of the elderly population. In Japan, for exam-ple, between 1979 and 1995, the elderly populationgrew from 7% to 14%. When compared to otherindustrialized countries, this was an extremely rapiddoubling time — just 25 years. In developing socialsystems, a key phrase should be “preservation of thetraditional family care concept”. In North East Asiancountries the concept of filial piety is very important.In some countries alternative strategies for care of thefrail elderly are being explored. One example is long-term care insurance. Introduced in Japan in 2000, ithas completely changed the welfare system. Up tonow, services have been given to older people with-out families. The new system is based on the princi-ple of universality, under which all insured elderlyare qualified to receive services irrespective of theireconomic or family condition. We need to researchand evaluate the success of this new system.

A second challenge is the promotion of geriatriceducation. In most countries in our region geriatricmedicine is not yet recognized as a speciality. It isurgent to establish training in geriatrics and gerontol-ogy not only for physicians, but also for other healthcare providers. At the IAG 50th anniversary celebra-

tion in Salsomaggiore, Italy last year, our regiondecided that the most important issue for us was todevelop such a training program. At the Regionalmeeting at the World Congress in Vancouver, asubcommittee was established to develop a pilotproject. The third challenge is the promotion of theresearch which may contribute to successful, activeand productive aging.

The next Regional Congress will be held in November2003 in Tokyo, Japan. It is most fitting that ourRegion’s 25th birthday will be celebrated in Japanwhere it all began in 1978. We invite other Regions tojoin us at this important milestone.

Executive Committee 2001 — 2005

Sung-Jae Choi (Korea) ChairSang Chul Park (Korea) Secretary-TreasurerRuth J. Inall (Australia) Executive Secretary

Scientific Subcommittees

Behavioural and Social Science

Prof. Akiyama (Japan)Yang-Kon Koh (Korea)

Biological Sciences

Sataro Gato (Japan)Sang Chui Park (Korea)

Clinical Medicine

EMF Leung (Hong Kong)Hajime Orimo (Japan)

Social Research and Planning

Hal Kendig (Australia)Ka-Oak Rhee (Korea)

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European RegionBY MARIO PASSERI, CHAIRIn the four years since the 16th World Congress in Ad-elaide, the European Region has significantly increased insize, adding seven new member societies. At the same timethe two French gerontological societies, once both part ofthe IAG, joined together to form the French Society ofGeriatrics and Gerontology. The European Region nowcomprises 33 societies and represents 31 countries (be-cause three gerontological societies are still present in theUK).

Between 1997-2001, the European Region engaged in alarge number of activities, demonstrating that this histori-cally “old” region is very active and vital. (The EuropeanRegion together with the North American Region are theoldest, having been founded in 1960). For example, the IVEuropean Congress was held in Berlin, in 1999 , drawing1,300 participants. In addition, the following SectionCongresses took place:

Clinical : Helsinki - 1998, Bratislava – 2000Biological: Elsinor - 1998, St.Petersburg – 2000Socio-Behavioural : Helsinki – 1998, Oxford – 2000

During these meetings, modified regional by-laws wereapproved and later ratified by the IAG Council andrevised by-laws for the sections were proposed. Manyother meetings focusing on gerontology and geriatrics tookplace, including regular yearly national congresses.

To facilitate communication within the region, twowebsites were created, one in Parma, at the office of thePresident (http://utenti.tripod.it/eriag) and the other inMadrid at the permanent Secretariat (http://www.eriag.org).

The European region endorsed the “Declaration of Yuste”,dealing with education in Gerontology for both pre- andpost-graduated medical doctors, as well as continuingmedical education. This initiative was discussed at ameeting of Presidents of the European National Geronto-logical and Geriatrics Societies which took place in Parmain 1998. The Region held another of these meetings in 2000.These two events were very useful for tightening the linksamong the Region and the National Societies.

Between 1998 – 2000 three important anniversaries werecelebrated in the Region. The first was the 50th anniversaryof the “Societad Espanola de Geriatria y Gerontologia”,one of the region’s oldest member societies, cel-

ebrated in a Symposium in Madrid in 1998, attendedby more than 2000 people. The second was the 50thanniversary of the “Società Italiana di Gerontologia eGeriatria”, celebrated in April 2000, in the “salonedei Cinquecento” in Florence, where the society wasborn. The third was the 50th anniversary of the IAG,celebrated in December 2000, in Salsomaggiore, Italy.Presidents of 55 gerontological societies from aroundthe world attended. The progress made by theAssociation over its 50 years was reviewed. Thevision, values and mission were discussed, the legalstanding of IAG was clarified, and attention wasgiven to the state of present and future gerontologi-cal research. During the meeting, a special consulta-tion took place between the IAG Executive and anumber of international NGOs to coordinate inputsfor the Second UN World Assembly on Aging whichwill take place in Madrid in April 2002. An expertmeeting on a United Nations’ project to develop aResearch Agenda on Aging for the 21st Century wasalso held. This research agenda will assist in thedevelopment of the final report for global actioncoming out of the Madrid Assembly.

The establishment of several task forces represents anotherelement of cohesion among the Regions’ member Societiesand scientists interested in particular sub-fields of Geron-tology.

Dates/location of the next section congresses:Clinical: Moscow – June 18-21, 2002Biology: Florence – November 2002Socio-Behavioural: Oslo — 2002

5th European Congress of Gerontology: Barcelona July 1–6, 2003

Executive Committee, 1999-2003

Mario Passeri (Italy) ChairFrancisco Guillen-Llera (Spain) Secretary-GeneralMichel Lye (UK) Treasurer

Scientific Subcommittees

Dick Nook (Netherlands) Biological SciencesJosé Manuel Ribera Casado (Spain) ClinicalAriela Lowenstein (Israel) Social-Behavioural

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Our RegionsBY OSVALDO PRIETO RAMOS, CHAIR

Latin American and Caribbean Region

The Latin American and Carib-bean (COMLAT) Region of IAG iscomposed of 12 societies. In theperiod 1997-2001, all of the mem-ber societies held national con-gresses. In 1999, the InternationalYear of the Older Person, COMLATgerontology and geriatric societiesmade an outstanding contributionto this United Nations cause. Partof this effort was the holding ofthe 3rd Latin American Congressin Havana, Cuba.

COMLAT’s main objectives as aregion of IAG are to:

• Increase training

• Stimulate and encourage practi-cal research

• Incorporate new societies intothe region and into IAG

• Increase cooperation with otherIAG regions.

In terms of the latter point,COMLAT is working closely withthe North American Region(NARC) in many different ways.This is most evident by the hold-ing of a Pan-American Congress,the latest being the second held inSan Antonio, Texas in 1999. Thenext one will be held in BuenosAires, Argentina in 2003.

COMLAT will continue to be apresence in the development ofthe study of gerontology in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean overthe next few years. The 4th LatinAmerican Congress of the IAGwill be held in Santiago, Chile in

September, 2003 and the afore-mentioned Pan-American con-gress held earlier that year. Inaddition, COMLAT will be proudto host the 18th World Congress ofGerontology in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil in June, 2005.

Executive Committee 1999 – 2003

PresidentOsvaldo Prieto Ramos (Cuba)SecretaryEnrique Vega Garcia (Cuba)

Area Directors

Pedro Paulo Marin (Chile)Fernando Portocarrero (Peru)Jesus Enrique Mazzei Berti (Venezuela)Fernando Morales (Costa Rica)Fernando Gomez (Colombia)

North American RegionBY JAMES T. SYKES, CHAIR

During the past four years, theNorth American Region (NARC)developed and approved by-lawsthat provide the member societies,The American Geriatrics Society(AGS), Canadian Association onGerontology (CAG), and theGerontological Society of America(GSA), with three representativeseach on NARC. Under this struc-ture, NARC:• Approved a protocol for thequadrennial PanAmerican Congress

• Applauded the success of the2nd PanAmerican Congress heldin San Antonio Texas in February1999 in which about 500 personsparticipated.

• CAG members of NARC vettedabstracts for the 2001 IAG Con-gress and leaders from all threeorganizations made suggestionsto then President-Elect Gutman forinvited symposia.

• Celebrated the success of the2001 World Congress in Vancou-ver where a large number ofNARC member societies’ mem-bers presented papers and postersin each of the Congress tracks.

• Reviewed plans from the Argen-tine Society of Geriatrics andGerontology for the 2003PanAmerican Congress.

NARC Representatives, 2001–2003American Geriatrics SocietyReva AdlerDavid EspinoPeter Whitehouse (Vice Chair)Canadian Association on GerontologyIngrid ConnidisMark Rosenberg (Secretary)Carl TaillonGerontological Society of AmericaToni AntonucciRoger McCarterJim Sykes (Chair)

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It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of two outstanding individuals: Dr. Rosalie Wolf andDr. Hans Thomae. Both contributed an immense amount of knowledge, hard work, and spirit to the develop-ment of gerontology both in research and its practical application. They will be greatly missed.

Rosalie Wolf

May 15, 1927 –June 26, 2001

For the last twenty years, Dr.Rosalie Wolf was known as acrusader for the rights of olderpeople. Noted for her dedica-tion to understanding andeliminating elder abuse, Wolfdevoted much of her career to

exploring the causes, patterns, and treatment of elderabuse and neglect through her own groundbreakingresearch and by promoting the work of others.

In 1986, Dr. Wolf founded the US National Committeefor the Prevention of Elder Abuse and in 1989, theJournal of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Her more recentachievements include chairing the InternationalNetwork for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA);serving as a member of the World Health Organiza-tion Consulting Group for the World Report on Vio-lence; serving on the steering committee for theUnited Nations International Working Group onTrauma; and guest editing the Summer 2000 Ameri-can Society on Aging special edition of Generations onabuse and neglect of older people.

Hans Thomae

July 31, 1915 – November 16, 2001

Hans Thomae, the 12th

President of the IAG (1981-93), published more than 400scientific books and articlesduring his lifetime. In the1950s, he founded the 12-volume Handbook of Psychol-

ogy and served as editor for volumes 2 (Motivation)and 3 (Developmental Psychology). He also foundedthe journal Vita Humana which later became Develop-mental Psychology. Also in this period, with UrsulaLehr, he pioneered research on ways middle-agedmen cope with aging and began a series of studies onthe older worker. In 1965 he started the Bonn Longi-tudinal Study on Aging which followed a sample ofmen and women born between 1890-1905 for 18years. This study highlighted the high degree ofindividuality in aging and the role of social andpersonality variables in structuring the individualaging process. Also in the 1960s, he served as the firstpresident of the International Association for theStudy of Behavioural Development. In this role hedrew attention to the importance of qualitative lifespan study of human development. In recognition ofthe importance of his work, Dr. Thomae receivedhonorary doctoral degrees from the University ofLouvain, Belgium (1967), University of Leipzig(1990),University of Moscow (1997), and Universityof Crete (1998).

A memorial endowment fund has been established by the INPEA and IAG in recognition of Dr. Wolf’sachievements. The interest from the endowment will be used to fund educational events in the area of elderabuse prevention. The IAG would also be pleased to accept contributions to its recently established StudentWorld Congress of Gerontology Travel Fund in memory of Dr. Thomae. To contribute, send a cheque or moneyorder payable to the Rosalie Wolf Endowment Fund or the Student World Congress of Gerontology TravelFund to the IAG Secretariat, Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, 2800-515 W. Hastings St.,Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6B 5K3.

Memorial Contributions

In Memoriam

1 – 4 APRIL 2002, VALENCIA, SPAIN

Researchers, Educators and Providerscontribution to the Second World Assemblyon AgeingThis is a scientific meeting where sciencemeets policy and practice and works tomake a real differenceSubmit an abstract and register on line by visitingour website at

http://www.valenciaforum.com

Valencia Forum Secretariatc/o Centre for Ageing StudiesMark Oliphant BuildingLaffer DriveBedford Park SA 5042AustraliaPhone: +61 8 8201 7567Fax: +61 8 8201 7551Email: valencia@flinders.edu.au

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Auspiced by the International Association ofGerontology

• Co-sponsored by The United Nations PopulationFund (UNFPA)

• Hosted by the Government of the AutonomousRegion of Valencia and the Spanish Society forGeriatrics and Gerontology

• With the participation of The UN Programme onAgeing, WHO and HelpAge International

• Proudly supported by the Novartis Foundationfor Gerontology

www.sfu.ca/iag

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