Establishment of 60+ Clubs Announced as Part of a Partnership between Liberty and UNFPA
On October 1, International Day of Older Persons, a memorandum was signed between Rustavi City Hall, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Office and the Rustavi Library Association.
The memorandum envisages the establishment of a "60+ Club for Healthy and Active Living" and the cooperation of the parties in advocating for healthy and active aging. The memorandum was signed by Irakli Tabagua, Mayor of Rustavi Municipality, Lela Bakradze, Head of the UNFPA Georgia Office, and Tea Zhvania, Director of the Rustavi Library Association. Giorgi Makaridze, Deputy General Director of Liberty Bank took part in the event. Liberty Bank, as a partner of the United Nations Population Fund and a promoter of healthy and active living for the elderly, will actively support the activities of the Rustavi 60+ Club.
"60+ Club for Healthy and Active Living" is a membership-based club, a socializing space for the older generation, which aims to create a harmonious and diverse environment to promote active and healthy living.
Club members have the opportunity, together with their peers, to acquire new knowledge and skills, to share their experiences and ideas with each other and new generations, to plan and hold various events and to receive information about news.
The club serves to improve the quality of life and maintain physical and mental health, and allows the older generation to feel like full members of the community.
Upcoming activities for 60+ clubs include: Physical Therapy (under the supervision of a specialist), Foreign Language and Computer Lessons, Sports and Intellectual Games, Art Circles and Workshops, and Culinary Sessions. In the event of a COVID-19 pandemic, club members will be able to engage in activities online.
The program is based on international standards and the experience of many countries. According to the UN Population Division, the population of Georgia aged 65 and older is expected to grow: if in 2014 the number of elderly people was 14.3% of the population, in 2030 this figure will reach 19%, and by 2050 every fourth citizen of Georgia will be over 65 years old (25.3%). According to the same forecast, the average life expectancy will increase by 2035: women - up to 80.8 years; Men _ up to 74.2 years.
It is important that the state and society respond to the needs and challenges facing older citizens. By creating "60+ clubs", the state will promote the implementation of a healthy and active aging policy. With the assistance of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Office, the concept of a state population aging policy has been developed and adopted. The initiative to introduce "60+ clubs" will help implement this policy and improve the quality of life of older people.