The second learning, teaching and training event took place in Vienna in the last week of April. It was organised by our Austrian partner Pro Senectute. The training sessions were hosted by the Ministry of Social Affairs of Austria. Representatives of the ministry greeted the participants from Bulgaria, Ireland, Germany and Austria. Various themes were covered during the three days including The Human Rights of older Persons - The Background and Austria’s Engagement; Shifting Perceptions: towards a Rights-based Approach to Ageing by Nevena Peneva from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights; Human Rights of Older Persons in the United Nations System by Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert, UN Human Rights Council. The work of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing was presented and provoked a lively discussion. We learned about The Living Will - an Insight into Practice in Austria; New Housing Qualities for the “Old‘? Socio-demographic Trends - new Lifestyles and Social Capital as Driver for Future Living; Legal Safeguards for Older People in Austria; Austrian Residents’ Advocacy and the Freedom of Movement; Human Rights in Long-term Care – the Contribution of Quality Management; Inequality and Solidarity – Personal Care from a Human Rights Perspective; The Importance of Promoting Volunteering; Legal and Social Interventions in Elder Abuse – Aspirations and Reality.
Especially interesting was the practical learning and exchange of experiences – visit to Caritas Nursing Home St. Barbara and the related Kindergarten in a Nursing Home. The visit to a travelling exhibition “Stop Violence” organised by Pro Senectute raised many questions and gave various answers. Together at the Museum - the joint programme “Two Federal Museums Invite - Art Education with People with Dementia and Forgetfulness” is implemented by Österreichische Galerie Belvedere and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It included regular visits with lectures at these leading Vienna museums. The presentation of Jacqueline Stark, NGO Committee on Ageing in the UN in Vienna and the International Federation on Ageing on “Aphasia Research and Support” provoked genuine interest.
Colleagues from Foundation Association Animus, Compassion Alzheimer Bulgaria Foundation and Liebenau Bulgaria jointed the team of Tulip Foundation in this learning journey.
The event was part of Safeguarding older persons’ legal and human rights through active citizenship and inter-generational approach project co-funded by Erasmus+ Programme of the EC.