Becoming old in Malta: is it worth living?

The Maltese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, in collaboration with the European Centre of Gerontology, University of Malta, is organising the Fourth National Seminar on aging in Malta.

The one-day seminar, "Becoming old in Malta: is it worth living?", is being held at the Sonata Suite of the Vivaldi Hotel, Dragonara Road, St Julian's, on Saturday.

The main sponsor of the seminar is the Middlesea Valletta Life Assurance Co Ltd. The Bank of Valletta, Medicat Co. Ltd., and Vivian Corporation have kindly agreed to set up stalls during the seminar.

Eight professional workers in the field of aging and past students of the European Centre of Gerontology will present the results of their research work on different aspects of becoming old in Malta. This research was carried out during their reading for the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics.

The issue being dealt with during this seminar is of national importance, especially for all those who are working in the field of aging, for the organisations of older persons, and for the elderly themselves. Consequently, the target audience for this seminar are professional workers in the caring of older persons, local councils officials, representatives from non-governmental organisations, and the elderly themselves.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. followed by the opening ceremony at 8.30. President de Marco will conclude the seminar with an address at 4.30 p.m. Dr Antoine Mifsud Bonnici, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry for Social Affairs, will also address the seminar.

The seminar is divided into three sessions of an hour each, followed by a 30-minute discussion.

The first booklet entitled Jannar Kiefer u Frar Ghandu d-Dwiefer... Awissu Qatt ma Hamel Lilu Nnifsu, prepared by the Maltese Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics and sponsored by the Parliamentary Secretariat, Ministry for Social Affairs, will be launched during the seminar.

The cost per participant is Lm10 (inclusive of registration, lunch and coffee breaks).

For further information contact Alison Camilleri, Secretary, European Centre of Gerontology, University of Malta, on tel. 2131-9526, or 2340-2237.