First European summer course in gerontology to be held in Malta

The 20th century saw a revolution in longevity. Average life expectancy at birth has increased by 20 years since 1950 to 66 years and is expected to extend a further 10 years by 2050.

This demographic triumph and the fast growth of the elderly population during the first half of the last century means that the number of those aged 60 and above will increase from about 600 million in 2000 to almost two billion in 2050. The proportion of older persons is projected to increase globally from 10 per cent in 1998 to 15 per cent in 2025.

Europe is the most aged continent. Already in 1998, one out of every five Europeans was over 60. This ratio is projected to rise to 30 per cent in 20 years. All European countries are facing profound changes: while fertility rates drop, and life expectancy rises, there are more and more elderly persons with growing needs for care and social services.

Some key issues becoming visible with these changes are the shortfalls in many health and social security systems, shifting labour-market structures, as well as changes in family structures.

These topics are clearly interrelated. The need for the development of new strategies in the management of health and socio-political issues is obvious and requires a multi-disciplinary focus. It is essential that all scientific disciplines engaged in the study of gerontology, collaborate to promote and develop an even larger expertise in this comprehensive area.

The need for an academic training programme in gerontology is increasingly felt among professionals, academics and political decision-makers across Europe, active in the fields of health and social welfare. This means that more highly qualified gerontologists are needed to meet the challenges of aging societies in the 21st century.

Aware of this need, already in 1988, the University of Malta set up the Institute of Gerontology offering postgraduate multidisciplinary academic programmes in gerontology and geriatrics. Between 1990-2005, 227 persons from 48 countries have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics. Another 27 from 17 countries have obtained the Master's degree.

In 2001 a European consortium was set up to structure a two-year part-time European Master's in Gerontology. Today the consortium is made up of 15 European universities, including the University of Malta. An integral part of the European Master's is the summer course which offers a perfect opportunity for students to tackle scientific and policy questions in a multidisciplinary manner.

Between June 6 and 15, the European Master's in Gerontology Programme and the European Centre of Gerontology and Geriatrics, University of Malta, organised a summer course in Gerontology and Geriatrics. The theme chosen was "Aging in Europe: Emerging international issues and perspectives".

The objectives of this ten-day intensive programme were to provide participants with a comprehensive and multidisciplinary understanding of aging issues and practical implications of the phenomenon of aging in 21st century Europe; and to stimulate discussion in the context of the highly complex and multifaceted nature of growing old in European society.

This summer course was the fourth organised as part of the European Master's degree programme in Gerontology. The first programme, with the title "For a Healthy Life in Europe" was held in Valencia, Spain, in July 2002. Other programmes were held in Chania, Crete, in 2003 and in Dublin the following year.

This year it attracted the highest number of participants - 34 - from 13 European and four non-European countries. They included 11 Maltese who in recent years had read for the Postgraduate Diploma in Gerontology at the Institute of Gerontology, recently renamed the European Centre of Gerontology, at the University of Malta.

The course, held at the Garden View Holiday Complex, Swieqi, was aimed at policy-makers and decision-makers; professionals involved in the caring programmes and services, and also students in the behavioural, social and health sciences. The programme was divided into participatory lectures, group and panel discussions, workshops and site visits to local facilities.

During the programme special emphasis was laid on the totality of the human being including health, social, economic and environmental issues. There were five main areas of concentration namely: European socio-demographic characteristics; Financial and economic aspects of aging; Successes and failures in planning and management of residential homes; Maintenance and promotion of health and well-being; and Ensuring enabling and supporting environments. The lecturers were international experts from universities in Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Germany, Malta, Portugal, the UK and the USA.

These 10 days proved to be an experience which was not to be missed. It gave all the participants an opportunity to hear to various European experts in the field of Gerontology and also to share experiences with professionals and students from other European countries and elsewhere. It is hoped that the 2006 summer course will again be organised in Malta.

Professor Troisi is director of the European Centre of Gerontology, University of Malta