The World Exposition of Innovation:
Design for an Ageing Society

By Nour Cressia

Nour Cressia is a Project Officer for the International Federation on Ageing, an international non governmental organization with a mission to improve the quality of lives of older people around the world through policy change, grassroots partnerships, and strengthening bridges between public and private sectors concerned with ageing issues.

What is the 2008 Inaugural World Exposition Of Innovation: Design for Ageing?
The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is proud to propose the Inaugural World Exposition of Innovation: Design for an Ageing Society (hereafter referred to as Expo Ageing Montreal) in Montreal, Canada in May 2008.

The aim of Expo Ageing Montreal is to bring together leading designers, manufacturers, academics, service providers, planners, developers, and governments from all parts of the world to showcase their products and innovative policies. It will also be a venue for corporate, government and civil society to foster partnerships, discuss international licensing and trade agreements, and develop export opportunities that respond to generational and cultural nuances of communities around the world.

Ageing is a complex issue both for the individual and for society. Themes, issues and topics are inherently interrelated, and the Expo aims to emphasize this to further understand ageing issues and the environment in which we live.

The Exposition is the only world event dedicated to the design for an ageing society, the only event that brings together all the stakeholders involved in the design and ageing sectors. The Expo is unique because it connects design to ageing in the most practical and focused way through the production of objects and environments from applied research. This interface will improve the quality of life of older people through greater independence and autonomy for all ages.

An important facet of the Expo Ageing Montreal is the identification of designs that promise positive change for older people in developing countries. The Federation commits to partnering with NGOs in developing countries and designers to prototype products, systems and infrastructure for future exhibition and debate.

Expo Ageing Montreal has three distinct yet related components: An Exposition, A Scientific Program and High Level Meetings. The exposition will take place at the Palais des Congrès, Montreal, in May 2008 for 5 days, consisting of:

• International and High Level Meetings (2 days)
• Exposition (4 days)
• Scientific program (3 days)

Interested?
For more information on how to be included on future updates about this conference and to receive regular electronic newsletters, contact Nour Cressia at nour@ifa-fiv.org. Tel: 1-514-396 3358 Fax: 1-514-396 3378. The International Federation on Ageing database will eventually contain from 60,000 to 80,000 listings of people and organizations across the globe.

2006 International Federation on Ageing 8th Global Conference
The International Federation on Ageing is also pleased to let UPA members who have an interest in ageing know that the current conference on Ageing is in Copenhagen, Denmark from 30 May – 2 June 2006. For more information on the 2006 International Federation on Ageing (IFA) 8th Global Conference on Ageing, See www.global-ageing.dk.

Links

• International Federation on Ageing
• IFA 8th Global Conference on Ageing