New Belarusian-Austrian Red Cross project will expand opportunities for the elderly in the Vitebsk region
Старение общества – проблема, с которой столкнулись почти все страны мира. Когда люди уходят на пенсию, но еще полны сил, они могут использовать свой богатый профессиональный и жизненный опыт на благо других. С этой целью в Беларуси начинается реализация нового совместного проекта Белорусского общества Красного Креста и Австрийского Красного Креста «Расширение возможностей пожилых людей в принятии решений по вопросам их полноценного участия в жизни общества».
Презентация проекта состоялась на днях в Витебском облисполкоме в рамках
«круглого стола», в котором также приняли участие представители заинтересованных управлений облисполкома, заместители председателей райисполкомов, директора территориальных центров социального обслуживания из районов, где действуют инициативные группы пожилых людей.– Таких групп на Витебщине сегодня 19, и все это – результат реализации совместного проекта со Швейцарским Красным Крестом, – рассказала председатель областной организации БОКК Галина Желанова. – Он стал моим любимым, потому что мы вносим реальный, видимый вклад в демографическую составляющую. Примеры есть в некоторых районах области: Сенненском, Россонском, Октябрьском города Витебска, в Полоцке и других. Благодаря инициативным группам из разряда уязвимых их участники превратились в наших помощников, волонтеров Красного Креста. Наверное, видя такой потенциал организации, Австрийский Красный Крест и предложил нам этот проект. И швейцарцы, кстати, свой проект продлили еще на три года. Так что теперь приложим вдвое больше усилий.
The project presentation took place recently at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee within the framework of a "round table" which was also attended by representatives of the relevant departments of the regional executive committee, deputy chairmen of district executive committees, directors of territorial centers for social services from districts where initiative groups of elderly people operate.
The aging of society is a problem faced by almost all countries of the world. When people retire but are still full of energy, they can use their rich professional and life experience for the benefit of others. For this purpose, a new joint project of the Belarusian Red Cross Society and the Austrian Red Cross is being launched in Belarus: "Empowering Elderly People in Decision-Making for Their Full Participation in Society."
The project presentation took place recently at the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee within the framework of a "round table," which was also attended by representatives of the relevant departments of the regional executive committee, deputy chairmen of district executive committees, directors of territorial centers for social services from districts where initiative groups of elderly people operate.
– There are 19 such groups in the Vitebsk region today, and all this is the result of the joint project with the Swiss Red Cross, – said Galina Zhelanova, chairman of the regional organization of the BRC. – It has become my favorite because we are making a real, visible contribution to the demographic component. There are examples in some districts of the region: Senno, Rossony, Oktyabrsky districts of Vitebsk city, in Polotsk and others. Thanks to the initiative groups, their participants have transformed from vulnerable individuals into our assistants, Red Cross volunteers. Probably, seeing such potential of the organization, the Austrian Red Cross offered us this project. And the Swiss, by the way, have extended their project for another three years. So now we will put in twice the effort.
European community support is paying off: in certain areas, especially where there is mutual understanding with local authorities, activists are forming groups and offering their initiatives even in rural areas. Zoya Fomina, Deputy Chairperson of the Sennensky District Executive Committee, spoke about such examples. There are currently 4 initiative groups operating in this region, and a fifth is being formed in the agro-town of Moshkany. Two mini-projects supported by the Belarusian Red Cross Society are being implemented in the Rossony District, as reported by Anna Yasinskaya, Director of the Territorial Center for Social Services of the Population.
– In fact, the project
“Empowering Older Adults…” – is a continuation of what has been done for a long time, – added Raisa Sinelnikova, an expert on social issues. – Its essence is for its participants to actively help each other in various situations and to provide local authorities with insights into accounting for the needs of older adults and planning social services. In our country, the mechanism of state social contracting has already begun to work, where part of the social services provided by non-governmental organizations is financed from the budget. This project is designed to help assess the socio-demographic situation, based on which priorities in the social sphere will be identified. To this end, it is planned to train groups of experts from among older adults, participants of initiative groups in the regions. In addition, a large sociological study on this topic will be conducted, a task assigned to the Research Institute of Labor.It is expected that older initiative people will be able to monitor the situation, as well as share their experiences, opinions, and suggestions on the Internet on a specially created forum on the Belarusian Red Cross Society website. Of course, for this purpose, training in internet literacy is planned within the project. All this will expand communication boundaries and improve the quality of life for the older generation.
To support existing groups of elderly people and encourage the formation of new ones, the project provides for the funding of the most interesting and effective initiatives on a competitive basis.
Among the current tasks is also to provide new knowledge to representatives of local authorities and involve them in active participation in the project. 160 people from all over Belarus will visit Austria next spring to learn about the country's experience in this field.
– And at the end of the project in 2015, a forum will be held to present the results, – Raisa Sinelnikova concluded. – We expect that as a result, public councils on the issues of the older generation will be established as a mechanism for cooperation between local authorities and initiative groups of elderly people. And thanks to them, the work will continue.
Ekaterina Knyazeva, "Vitebskiye Vesti"