Welcome to Oslo and the 19th Nordic Congress of Gerontology
The Nordic countries are among the countries in the world with the highest quality of life. Generally, life expectancy is high, our standard of living is good, our political situation and systems are stable and the social security is generous compared to most other countries. Nevertheless, we also have challenges in securing a good standard of living, the best possible health and quality of life for our fast increasing elderly population. In the Baltic countries, which are now part of the Nordic Society, these challenges are even greater. But a rapid development in technology, medicine and communication also gives us great opportunities in reaching these goals.
In our countries we have an increasing group of elderly people of a non-Scandinavian ethnic origin. These elderly might have other expectations and needs surrounding their ageing years, but have the same rights to choose and to be treated with dignity as the ethnically Nordic population. The elderly population in the third world is also increasing and there is a demand for transfer of competence and development of health and care-services.
Our goals are that elderly people in the Nordic and the Baltic countries, as well as in the rest of the world, should be able to decide and set the premises for their own life, to live in their own home as long as they wish and to receive the help and care they need with dignity.
The diversity of the elderly population and the opportunity to choose lifestyle, care and services, together with health and caring services for the oldest and frailest will be given particular attention in different sessions and presentations during the congress.
In addition to the scientific program, the social and cultural experiences will be numerous in Oslo, the capital of Norway, at its most beautiful in May.
We wish you a warm welcome to Oslo and to an inspiring congress – organized to move borders!
President Anette Hylen Ranhoff Secretary general Morten Mowe Congress secretary Toril Utne
