Don Harron, Co-Chair of the Canada Coordinating Committee for the International Year of Older Persons, outlined this UN sanctioned year at a special reception hosted by Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover.
"The year offers families and communities a unique opportunity to acknowledge senior's achievements and contributions," stated Harron. "It will help foster awareness of the important role of seniors and promote intergenerational respect and support."
Several initiatives are being planned across Canada to recognize the International Year of Older Persons (IYOP). For example, the Golden Gardens Project encourages seniors and youth to work together to construct gardens across Canada. Under this project, seniors groups interested in planting a garden are eligible for small grants of approximately $100 to purchase materials.
Other national initiatives include: an oral history contest to encourage high school students, as well as the general public, to interview seniors about significant historic events of the last century; a seniors' travel program to encourage senior-friendly travel in Canada; and the development of a commemorative stamp.
Harron congratulated Anna Duffy, Chair of the PEI Planning Committee, for the many activities underway on the Island to recognize the International Year of Older Persons. These include: the awarding of special certificates by the Lake of Shining Waters IODE; the Centurion Hall of Fame featured by Whisperwood Villa; the healthy aging course "Spotlight on Aging" offered at Greenfield Community School; the "Positive Images of Aging" artistic competition sponsored by the PEI Senior Citizens Federation; and the Girl Guides of Canada photo contest to encourage intergenerational involvement.
"The response of individuals and community organizations across the province has been phenomenal," said Mrs. Duffy. "Islanders instinctively seem to appreciate that seniors are the guardians of our province's history, traditions and culture."
One of the initiatives recognizing the International Year of Older Persons is the establishment of an annual $1000 scholarship to promote studies in the field of gerontology (the study of aging). Claude Bell, Planning Committee member and Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, said that the plan is to raise $25,000 from individuals and organizations by June 1999, with the first scholarship to be awarded in the year 2000. Rick Moran, President of the PEI Gerontology Association, presented Bell with a cheque for $1000, the first donation to the scholarship fund.
"This scholarship will support healthy aging in our province," explained Bell. "As Islanders grow older, the need for health care professionals in the field of Gerontology will become increasingly important."
People interested in participating in the International Year of Older Persons are invited to contact any member of the PEI Planning Committee including: Anna Duffy (Chair), Helen McCabe, Heather Henry-MacDoald, Claude Bell, George Steiger, Margaret Quinn, Jodi Swan, Orella Arsenault, Doreen Sark, Bernadette McDermid-Pederson, and Reg MacLellan.