FINAL REPORT OF THE EXPERTS MEETING TO DEVELOP AN OAU POLICY FRAMEWORK AND PLAN OF ACTION ON AGEING

Abstract

In many countries in Africa the trend towards an ageing society has not yet attracted the attention it deserves from policy makers and planners. Despite the fact that the population ·or Africa is predominantly youthful, the number of older people is increasing. The proportion of older people is also increasing; today people aged 60 and over account for 4.52% of the population in Africa and by 2050 it is projected to increase to 11.32%. Consequently, the OAU Member States need to develop new policies, strategies and programmes to support an ageing society based on the social and economic realities of Africa.

This was the background to the Experts Meeting to Develop an OAU Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing, which was jointly organised by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and HelpAge International Africa Regional Development Centre in collaboration with the Government of Uganda, from 2th November to 1st December 2000, in Kampala, Uganda, at the kind invitation ofthe Government of Uganda.

Financial support for the Experts Meeting and associated activities prior to and after the Meeting was provided by the Department for International Development (UK), World Health Organisation (Africa Regional Office - Zimbabwe), United Nations Trust Fund on Ageing (USA) and The Rockefeller Foundation (USA).