HelpAge International: Sharing and LearningAmman, Jordan, May 14, 2014

Nabil M Kronfol MD, Dr PH: CSAMartine Najem, MPH: CSA, FHS/AUB

• Foundation• Our vision and mission• Strategic tools• Accomplishments• CSA Symposium: Seniors in emergencies• Future Plans

Center for Studies on Aging (CSA)

Foundation

The Center for Studies on AgingA non-governmental organization founded in 2008 and led by a group of professionals committed to the promotion of evidence-based policy and practice in support of the older population in Lebanon and the Arab world. Its motto is TRIPP {Translation of Research into Policy and Practice)

Founding membersResearchers and academicians, geriatricians, representatives from governmental and non-governmental institutions, service providers and social workers.

Main supportersUnited Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)HelpAge International (HAI)World Health Organization

Our vision and mission

AimThe aim of the CSA is to create a hub for research, education, policy formulation, advocacy and training on aging in Lebanon and the region.

Vision The vision of CSA is Lebanon and a region in which older adults fulfill their potential in leading dignified and secure lives.

MissionThe mission of the CSA is to create a hub for research, education, policy formulation and training on aging in Lebanon and the Arab region.

The main pillars of the Centre’s strategic tools are:

1. Research, database, networks, and conferenceObjective: To raise awareness/advocacy of ageing issues

2. Human resource development Objective: To promote good practice in the care of older people through training and capacity building

3. Optimizing opportunities in development plans and policies Objective: To promote active participation and mainstreaming of older people issues across all sectors

Strategic tools

AccomplishmentsCSA Website

www.csa.org.lb

Data RepositoriesTwo online data repositories that contain articles on ageing in Lebanon and the Arab world

Policy Briefs• Older people in Lebanon: Voices of the care givers • Pensions: A right long overdue for the older citizens • Chronic disease and aging in the Eastern Mediterranean Region• End of Life Care• Age Friendly Cities: An Opportunity for Friendly Aging• Seniors in Emergencies: A call to action

Accomplishments

Research Activities• Lebanon Country Profile in 2011 (English and Arabic)• Region-wide mapping of ageing policies, programs and

legislations for the MIPAA and ICPD reviews in 2012-2013• Studies on seniors in emergencies, Lebanon, in 2006

NetworksIn collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, CSA established the Public Health in the Arab World – Arab Ageing Network (PHAW-AAN) in March, 2014 which so far has 167 subscribers

Accomplishments

Conferences, Workshops and Proceedings

• November, 2009: Aging in Arab Countries – Research, Policy and Development

• October 2010: Linking Research to Policy in the Middle East Region: Family Ties and Aging

• November, 2011: Lebanese Epidemiological Association 16th Annual Meeting “The Elderly in Lebanon: Expanding the Research Agenda to Meet Current and Future Challenges”

• July, 2012: Expert Group Meeting: ICPD and MIPAA Mapping of Policies and Programs on Aging in Arab World

• December, 2013: Older Persons in Emergencies: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations for Relief Workers

Engagement

• CSA has become an affiliate of HAI in 2013• CSA members actively engaged with INPEA

(International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse); WDA (World Demographic Association in St Gallen); International efforts for seniors in emergencies (Canada PH Agency);

CSA Symposium on Older Persons in Emergencies:December 2013

Objectives

• To draw attention to seniors in emergency in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis

• To present available data / statistics on older refugees• To discuss challenges faced in providing aid to older refugees based on

experiences in Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon• To discuss opportunities for engaging seniors as active contributors in

their own communities• To draft the essentials of an action plan to address issues related to

the seniors among the Syrian refugees in Lebanon

CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies

Participants88 representatives from:

• CSA, UNFPA, WHO, UNHCR, World Bank, Caritas, Handicap International, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

• Ministries: MOSA, MOH, MOE..• National Relief Agency, National

Commission on Ageing • Faculties of Health Sciences: AUB,

UoB, LU and others• Media professionals

CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies

Outcome• A bilingual action brief on

“Seniors in Emergencies”

– Distributed to participants to guide relief efforts in dealing with seniors in emergencies.

– Made available to interested NGOs for ease of reference of relief workers in the field.

CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies

Selected Recommendations

• Ensure the inclusion of older people in needs assessments• Fund programs specifically for older refugees• Ensure that older persons have easier access to services and

humanitarian aid and their specific needs are met• Tap unto older persons as a resource in emergency situations• Include services which offer care-giving services to older persons• Develop a training program for social and relief workers on older

people inclusive programming

CSA Symposium: Older Persons in Emergencies

Future PlansProposed Interventions

Building understanding and technical capacity for older people-inclusive humanitarian responseHelpAge International and Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) • Objective 1: Recognize the specific needs and capacities of older adults in

humanitarian settings• Objective 2: Advocate within their organizations and communities for

older-person inclusive programming• Objective 3: Develop an action plan for an inclusive humanitarian program

in their sector and area of work• Objective 4: Support other peers in designing, implementing and

evaluating older-person inclusive programs

Future Plans

Proposed Interventions

Project on Management of NCDs among older refugeesMedecine du Monde, AMEL, YMCA, HelpAge International and FHS/AUB

Objectives:- Provide quality management of selected chronic diseases

(hypertension, diabetes) to adult patients among Syrian refugees and host communities

- Improve health care for people aged 60 and above

Areas of Potential Collaboration with HAI

• Seminar series or roundtable discussions on work with older people among Syrian refugees and host communities

• Developing and adapting training modules for relief workers on seniors in emergencies

• Other ideas being explored

THANK YOU

Questions and Discussion