They shared and listened to successful stories illustrating healthy and active ageing, talked to a nutritionist, listened to music, participated in a digitalizing and aerobics session, crocheted, played chess and checkers. We are talking about about 100 people, including young people and the elderly who, along with officials and influencers, participated in an event organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, with the support of HelpAge and the Moldcell Foundation.
Young people and the elderly promoted messages such as "Dialogue between generations", "Digital skills connect generations", "I encourage parents to go to the doctor", "I learn from my grandmother, they learn from me", "I grow old actively and healthily", "Lifelong learning" etc. This is to combat stereotypes and preconceptions about older people and the aging phenomenon, encouraging seniors to fully realize their potential.
Mrs. Lidia Beleuță was among the guests at the event. The woman traveled to Chișinău from the village of Cazangic, Leova district, to tell how she is active and rides a bicycle at the age of 66.
"No matter if winter or summer, I cycle wherever I need to go, since I can remember myself. I don't pay attention to the age, it's important to be active at any age", said Mrs. Lidia Beleuță at the event.
According to statistics, in 2040, 1 out of 3 people will be over 60 years old. The number of elderly people is increasing, therefore the authorities, together with society, must adapt to this change and come up with initiatives adjusted to the real needs of the people, said the President of the Parliament, Igor Grosu, present at the event.
"I am lucky that I come from a happy family. At the age of 70, I definitely see myself as an active and healthy elderly person, just like my mother," said Igor Grosu, President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
UNFPA supports the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova in the process of developing and approving a National Program for Active and Healthy Aging for the years 2023-2027, aimed at strengthening the Demographic Resilience of the country.
"I want to thank all the elderly and volunteers for the example you set in the family, in the community and throughout the country. Within the program to promote active and healthy aging, the level of involvement should not be an exception, but a rule in all communities in the Republic of Moldova. I thank the United Nations Fund for the partnership, together we managed to do many useful things for the Republic of Moldova", said Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labor and Social Protection.
"The United Nations Population Fund - UNFPA, together with partners from the Government, Parliament, the private sector and civil society, runs programs to engage the elderly and young people in intergenerational programs that develop digital skills and combat stereotypes about aging. Our common goal is to strengthen social cohesion and solidarity between generations and promote active and healthy aging for stronger families and demographically more resilient societies," said UNFPA Resident Representative Nigina Abaszada.
The event with the topic "Dialogue between generations for resilient families" was organized in the format of interactive workshops: participants had the opportunity to talk with a nutritionist about active and healthy aging, do sports at an aerobics session, guided by a sports teacher with an experience of over 40 years. They also enjoyed a Youth Orchestra recital, and with the involvement of youth volunteers from the Moldcell Foundation, they explored digital skills.
The participants in the event, both young and old, were mobilized with the support provided by the UNFPA implementation partner - HelpAge International Moldova. At the same time, elderly people who benefited from grants offered by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, for the promotion of active aging, were invited to the event.
According to the data of the Generations and Gender Survey, carried out by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and UNFPA, the digital gap between the elderly and the young in the Republic of Moldova is enormous - only 34% of the population aged between 60 and 79 have used the Internet, compared to 82 % of those aged 15-59.
International Family Day is marked every year on May 15.
