Studies indicate that the fastest growing segment of populations in developed and developing countries all over the world is comprised of people over age 80. This trend presents a multitude of challenges for young and old alike in areas such as public policy, economics, health, medical care, social services and recreation.

"Educational efforts through research and teaching will be instrumental in addressing the challenges of the ‘aging revolution’ from a worldwide perspective," said Hawkins as she explained the mission of the new project. "The Global Ageing Initiative addresses such challenges by fostering worldwide collaboration among researchers and teachers."

According to Hawkins, the Global Ageing Initiative is moving toward its two paramount goals. "The first is to encourage domestic and international research on ‘aging well’–a positive approach to understanding aging and alleviating conditions and circumstances that create a difficult old age. The second is to foster curriculum development related to global aging with a particular focus on topics of comparative international interest."

Several activities toward those ends are now in various stages of progress. Concepts, goals and leadership to guide the Global Ageing Initiative have been established, and posted on Opening the Door to Global Ageing, the home page for the initiative’s Web site (see Web address at end of story). Additionally, a multidisciplinary core of investigators from 14 geographically diverse countries has begun work on a global investigation concerning "aging well" and a curriculum that will be delivered using distance education technologies.

Other activities include implementing a program of collaborative research on global aging issues and convening an international conference at IU this June. Additionally, IU is currently hosting a visiting scholar-in-residence, Clare Wenger, a cross-cultural anthropologist from the University of Wales. A network of IU organizations involved with the initiative has been established. It includes: the Research and University Graduate School, HPER, the Center for the Study of Global Change, the Center on Aging and Aged, the West European Studies Center, the East Asian Studies Center, the India Studies Program and the IU Office of International Programs.

"A fundamental problem before many aging population nations is the lack of careful attention now to planning for an aged society of significant size in the near future," said Hawkins. "Aging is inevitable. Being proactive in planning for changes in areas such as income, health status and services, economic growth, policies, community development and redesign, housing and transportation will provide more positive outcomes for all members of society."

http://www.indiana.edu/~caa/CrossCulturalPjt.htm