The first Belarusian forum-festival of third-age universities will be held in Minsk, as reported to BELTA by Olga Shishlo, communications specialist of the Public Association "Belarusian Association of Social Workers".
The first Belarusian forum-festival of third-age universities will be held in Minsk, as reported to BELTA by Olga Shishlo, communications specialist of the Public Association "Belarusian Association of Social Workers".
The forum will be attended by representatives of organisations and initiatives involved in the education and activation of, and advocacy for, the elderly, as well as representatives of state authorities.
A discussion titled "International and National Action Plans on Ageing and the Role of Non-profit Organisations, the Academic Community, and Various Adult Education Platforms in Implementing These Plans" is scheduled for 25 May. Among the speakers at the event are Alexander Sidorenko, Senior Advisor at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Austria), and Anna Zakrevskaya, National Coordinator on Ageing, Head of the Labour Market Research, Employment and Social Protection Department of the Research Institute of Labour of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus.
The following day, forum participants will discuss cooperation opportunities between organisations involved in adult education, as well as the possibility of creating an informal network of such organisations in Belarus. This part of the programme will feature the experience of Ukraine and Russia, as well as the Baltic States, which are committed to improving the quality of life for the elderly.
Also on 26 May, a festival of best practices will commence, for which representatives of Belarusian and foreign organisations will prepare master classes, presentations, and exhibitions. On the third day, participants will enjoy a celebratory gala concert dedicated to the 5th anniversary of the Minsk Third-Age University.
A detailed programme of the forum-festival will be formed after the list of participants is approved. Applications will be accepted until 14 May.
The organisers are the Public Association "Belarusian Association of Social Workers" (Minsk), the Centre for Adult Continuing Education "Useful Competencies Studio", and the Public Association "Centre for Information Support of Public Initiatives 'Third Sector'" (Grodno). Partners include the UNFPA Belarus Country Office, the International Public Association "Mutual Understanding" (Minsk), DVV-International, and the municipal institution "Centre for Active Longevity".