§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to be involved in the United Nations 1999 Year of the Elderly; and if he will make a statement. [86191]
§ Mr. TimmsThe UN Year provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and change perceptions about issues surrounding older people. It also provides a vehicle to consult older people themselves. This Department is a member of the UN Year reference group of voluntary organisations and government departments who have planned the UK programme, and a DSS official chairs the supporting facilitation group on Citizenship. I am taking a keen interest in the International Year, and will take part in a number of the events being organised.
As part of the programme, this Department has taken a leading role with Cabinet Office and the UK Secretariat of the International Year of Older Persons to develop a series of ten "listening to older people" events between May and November. The events will be hosted by non-governmental organisations supporting the year, with Ministers from the Ministerial Group for Older People, which I chair, taking part.
These events will provide the Government with valuable information and feedback which will help decide priorities and shape the policies to meet them. I launched the programme at a website "virtual" event organised by Age Resource on 25 May and will be attending the first physical event in Belfast tomorrow.