Experts discuss harmonization of ageing indicators

As Asia-Pacific is preparing to face an increasingly “greying” society, with population ageing occurring at a faster pace in the region than in other parts of the world, there is a great need for effective tools able to assist countries in the review and appraisal of progress of ageing policies and programmes.

The Shanghai Implementation Strategy (SIS) in particular, which contains 43 key actions that countries can follow to implement their commitments under the Madrid and Macao Plans of Action, calls for constant review and appraisal.
To this end, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) developed in 2004 a draft framework, including a matrix of instrumental and outcome indicators. The framework is aimed at assisting governments in the region to collect information systematically and guiding them in their assessment of ageing policies and programmes.

Presented initially during a regional review seminar held in 2004 in Macao, China, the draft framework was discussed again during a two-day meeting held at Bangkok on 24 and 25 March. The meeting brought together experts from various countries in Asia and the Pacific. It helped refine the framework and make it functional.

The key replicable aspects of the framework are expected to be shared with the global community at the five-year review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to take place in 2007.