AARP Convenes International Leaders in Tokyo to Explore Retirement and Aging Issues

Posted March 29th 2007

by DPS

U.S.-based AARP, the world’s largest membership organization for people 50+, will bring together an international group of leaders and decision-makers from government, academia, non-governmental organizations, and business to explore how Asian societies are dealing with the critical issues of retirement, aging populations, and the quality of life for retirees and older workers.

An AARP survey of opinion leaders in Asia and Oceania, which will be released at the conference, reveals that most believe their countries are ill prepared to deal with the challenges of an aging population.

The conference, Reinventing Retirement Asia: Enhancing The Opportunities of Aging, will be co-hosted by AARP, Nikkei, and the Japan NGO Council on Aging (JANCA). It will be attended by senior-level representatives from China, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the United States and other countries.

“In Asia, the 50+ population will be the dominant group in many countries within the next decade,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. “Governments, NGOs and the private sector must work together to address the challenges and opportunities presented by aging populations across the globe in order to benefit society as a whole.

The conference is the third in a series of international symposia held by AARP’s Global Aging Program convened to devise strategies for meeting the needs of people 50+. Participants will explore topics such as “Tapping the Vast Human Capital of Older Workers,” “Family Ties: Changing Role of the Family Structure for Older People,” “Integrating Retirees into Community Involvement,” and more.

Through the Global Aging Program, AARP aims to help people live longer, healthier, more financially secure and productive lives by identifying the best ideas and practices on key policy issues. The Global Aging Program convenes international opinion leaders to share their expertise and develop research on health and long-term care, liveable communities, older workers and retirement income.
“The AARP Global Aging Program’s goal is to foster global collaboration. It serve as a catalyst for governments and decision-makers in all sectors to come together, address, and favorably shape the social and economic implications of aging worldwide,” said Line Vreven, Director of International Affairs for AARP. “We look forward to a thought-provoking and productive conference in Tokyo.”