Nominations are being accepted for Active Ageing 2019 Award, awards which celebrate and recognise the work and dedication of the elderly within the community. The new award, ‘Intergenerational Solidarity Award’ strips away the concept of ‘us and them’ and ‘youth and elderly’ and focuses on the ‘us’ in the local community. “Irrelevant of the age, intergeneration in society is extremely beautiful when the elderly and youth work together,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing, Anthony Agius Decelis.
Agius Decelis was speaking earlier this morning at the launch of the Active Ageing 2019 Awards in Valletta, explained that the new recognition award can be nominated not just to an elderly person but to a person or organisation which focuses on intergenerational solidarity in the community.
Agius Decelis said that attention and awareness must be brought on not just to those elderly who are active in their community, but also for the elderly who are in homes, and to ensure that they live as much as possible an active and independent life.
The categories for Active Ageing 2019 Awards are, Active Ageing Award, Award for a Married Couple, Award for Academic Ageing, Award for Ageing in Sport, Award for Role Model, Award for Ageing in Culture and Intergenerational Solidarity Award. “We want these awards to highlight our gratitude towards these elderly who have contributed or continue to contribute to Maltese society, either through sports, culture or academically”, said Decelis.
He hopes that the Active Ageing Awards will continue to grow throughout the years and that local government continue to push the ideas and legislations to be implemented and worked on for the benefit of the ageing population.
Professor Carmelo Borg, Chairman of the selection board, stressed the importance of active ageing, especially in a society where industries make millions on the ‘fetish of youth’. “When one reflects and thinks about these large industries promoting the natural process of ageing, it is even more important that we promote and work on the positivity and beauty of active ageing.” He said that there is a lot of emphasises, especially through this award system which focuses on the beautiful voyage of life.
Applications for the nominations can be obtained from Palazzo Ferreria in Valletta, via email [email protected], or Local Councils. The applications close 11 September 2019. Winners will be announced during a ceremony in October.