15 Leading Speakers from the Public, Private and Social Sectors at the Conference “Best Practices for a Beautiful Old Age”
For the seventh consecutive year, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation is bringing together specialists and practitioners in the field of ageing at the National Conference “Best Practices for a Beautiful Old Age”, organized on Friday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m., at the National Theatre Bucharest, marking the International Day of Older Persons.
Fifteen leading speakers from the public, private and social sectors will present the current realities, identify emerging trends, and propose innovative and effective solutions for elderly people in Romania.
The event will take place in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia, member of the Board of the Royal Foundation, and will be moderated by Mugurel Mărgărit, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Starting this year, the conference is accredited as a continuing professional development program by the National College of Social Workers, and registered social workers will receive two professional credits.
Only two days remain until the start of one of the landmark events for key stakeholders who can truly identify the challenges faced by elderly people and propose up-to-date solutions that can be implemented in as many communities as possible, helping improve the situation of elderly people in Romania.
This year’s topics are designed to inspire and contribute to improving the quality of life of elderly people through successful examples from Romania and abroad, presented by practitioners, specialists and authorities, including:
- future directions in long-term care – the World Bank’s perspective in Romania
- public policies in the field of social assistance for elderly people
- the role of the social worker in services for elderly people
- international best practices in integrating elderly people into the digital world vârstnicilor în lumea digitală
- the rights of elderly people in Romania – between discourse and reality
- care services for dependent elderly people
- social exclusion of elderly people and implications for social policies
- opportunities for active ageing and community initiatives
- opportunities for social interaction and meaningful engagement for lonely elderly people
- assistance services for elderly people with varying degrees of dependency
- the secret to remaining relevant and inspirational at any age
During Friday’s conference, the Foundation will also launch the “Top Needs of Elderly People in Romania and the Solutions Provided to Them”, a report developed by the national Elderly Helpline, based on data collected over eight years of operation and 90,794 recorded interactions with elderly people across the country.
This year’s speakers represent both national and international institutions:
- Anna Akhalkatsi – Country Manager for Romania and Hungary, World Bank
- Elena Dobre – Director, Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity
- Jolana Hájková – Digital Odyssey Program Manager, Vodafone Czech Republic
- Doru Buzducea – Dean, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work and Ambassador of the National College of Social Workers
- Father Ionuț Tutea – Diocesan Counselor, Social-Philanthropic and Missionary Sector, Archdiocese of Bucharest
- Iuliana Precupețu – Scientific Researcher, Coordinator AMASE, Research Institute of the University of Bucharest
- Mariana Oancea – Coordinator, SenioriNet Federation, 4Change Association Bucharest
- Roxana Molocea – Coordinator, Elderly Helpline Program, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation
- Nicoleta Palcu – Director for Services for Elderly People, Caritas Mitropolitan Greek-Catholic Association Blaj
- Diana Rus Schupler – Coordinator, Day Centre for Elderly People, Social Assistance Directorate Satu Mare
- Iuliana Cristina Bucelea – Specialist Psychologist, Centre for Elderly People Constanța
- Ioana Ioancio – Senior Consultant in Geriatrics and Gerontology, Enayati Hospital
- Sorin Marinescu – Coordinator, Fund for the Elderly Program, The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation
- Gabriela Mateiu – Executive Director, Yana – You Are Not Alone Foundation Bacău
- Registration and further details about the agenda are available on the event page
- The conference will take place exclusively in physical format at the National Theatre Bucharest – Media Hall, starting at 10:00 a.m.
ACTIONS ORGANIZED BY THE MARGARETA OF ROMANIA ROYAL FOUNDATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS – OCTOBER 1 ZILEI INTERNAȚIONALE A PERSOANELOR VÂRSTNICE – 1 Octombrie
September 27 – Material aid action for beneficiaries of the Fund for the Elderly program. Thirty Foundation volunteers will prepare 100 packages containing staple foods, dairy products and other essential items, which will be delivered to the homes of 100 elderly people in Bucharest affected by mobility issues or loneliness.
September 25–29 – Material and emotional support will also be provided to nearly 350 elderly people in Cluj, Vrancea, Mureș and Sibiu through local initiatives carried out by five NGOs receiving grants from the Foundation under the Fund for the Elderly program. Elderly people with low incomes who are unable to meet their basic care needs will receive food and hygiene products at home. Those wishing to socialize will be invited to community centre gatherings, festive events, surprise artistic performances prepared by children and young people, or welcomed with flowers and affection.
September 29 – INTERGENERATIONAL EXHIBITION – Media Hall Foyer, National Theatre Bucharest – Media Hall Foyer, TNB
Photographic snapshots taken at the Generations Centres nationwide will be displayed, highlighting elderly people volunteering for children from disadvantaged families. The visual arts collection “Journal of Life”, created by young artists from the Young Talents program, will also be exhibited, symbolically representing old age through the life stories of elderly people.
September 29 – 5:00 p.m. – Classical Music Recital for Elderly People – Media Hall, National Theatre Bucharest
In the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Sofia, the Media Hall of the National Theatre Bucharest will host a classical music recital dedicated to elderly people, performed by scholars of the Young Talents program of The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation. Seats are offered to 120 elderly beneficiaries supported through the Foundation’s social projects and those of five other Bucharest-based organizations, aiming to prevent isolation and combat loneliness.
September 29 – Launch of the “Top Needs of Elderly People in Romania and the Solutions Provided to Them”, within the Conference “Best Practices for a Beautiful Old Age”. The report will include information on the national and international demographic context, diverse perspectives on approaches to elderly people and their challenges, as well as statistical data gathered over eight years of operation of the licensed social service Elderly Helpline.
October 9, 2023 – Social luncheon in Bucharest for approximately 60 elderly people affected by loneliness – part of a series of initiatives designed to create opportunities for social interaction for elderly beneficiaries of the Foundation’s programs, including the Elderly Helpline and the Generations Centres.
Sponsors: Fundația Vodafone România, Hochland România, Raiffeisen Bank, Fundația Bosch România, Compania Națională Loteria Română, Alliance Healthcare, Johnson Wax
In-kind Sponsors: City Grill, Lăptăria cu Caimac, Ecco Shoes, Mega Image, Boromir, Editura Niculescu, Aqua Carpatica
Partner: The “I.L. Caragiale” National Theatre Bucharest
Media partners: AGERPRES, Radio Trinitas
Communication partners: 4Change Association, SenioriNET
