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International Federation on Ageing
3-6 May 2010
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Melbourne, Australia

Climate for Change:
Ageing into the future

We are pleased to invite you to the International Federation on Ageing 10th Global Conference on Ageing to be hosted by Council on the Ageing, Victoria (COTA, Vic). The conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention Centre in Australia 3 - 6 May 2010.

Population ageing is one of the most important challenges facing societies around the world today. It is the essential demographic characteristic of the 21st century. Far from being a crisis, being able to live more active and healthy lives as we grow old represents a triumph in human history.

The 10th Global Conference on Ageing will provide a reliable platform for a global information exchange and point of connection for all, working to generate positive social change for older people. The five themes that form the program framework - Climate Change; Social Inclusion; Human Rights; Resourcing Change; and Healthy Ageing - are expected to stimulate new conversations as well as explore in more depth more traditional subject areas. Each theme will be informed by international and regional frameworks including United Nations (UN) Principles for Older People, the UN Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing and the Active Ageing Framework of the World Health Organization.

The city of Melbourne with its splendour and time honoured Australian culture provides a unique setting to celebrate a decade of IFA global conferences. The IFA and COTA (Vic) reaches out to people of all nations and disciplines in the invitation to attend this international event where knowledge will be shared, information exchanged and solutions explored to strengthen our commitment to successful ageing across the world.

The traditional symbol for "meeting place" in Aboriginal culture is represented by concentric circles and converging lines. Indeed, the 10th Global Conference on Ageing will truly be a meeting place of people and ideas. The main Conference image (see cover) of an older hand holding a seedling represents the ageing world population and the great opportunity presented to us to create change for future generations.

The Banyan Tree

The Banyan Tree is a wonderful example of nature's diversity. The tree, originally from Africa and India, grows to an enormous size by sending down roots from its branches that in turn form new trunks. The banyan tree lives and spreads itself out for hundreds of years. With its ability to continually spread by putting down new roots just one single tree can grow to cover many acres with the strength of a forest.

Through supporting charities that design and run programs fostering development and good deeds, it is the founders wish that these various programs will grow stronger and in turn develop strong communities of their own eventually spreading out like the strength of the Banyan Tree.