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Newcastle’s work in ageing research is being included in a workshop to be put forward to the United Nations Public Administration Network this month by computer giant Microsoft, following a collaboration with Cels.

Cels, the organisation driving the growth of life sciences across the North East, has been working with Microsoft for the past ten months to highlight the region’s strength in ageing research.

The workshop will demonstrate that Newcastle has a deep understanding of the needs assessment of the elderly and will be showcased for the United Nations in Geneva in May.

Following initial meetings in April 2008, Cels facilitated Microsoft’s first visit to Newcastle in June when they met partners from the regions’ universities, the City Council, health sector and various third party agencies who have all agreed to be on the editorial board prior to the final workshop being presented in Geneva. Gary Moulton who is head of Microsoft’s ageing agenda witnessed the Active Age programme, an international consortium with its centre of operations in the North East. It focuses on the ageing agenda through its collaborative research programme and includes partners such as BT, Newcastle University, Newcastle City Council, Broadband Capital and the Essentia Group.

As a result of his meetings, Gary was so impressed with the city’s approach to understanding the needs of an ageing society that he has now signed up the computer firm as a member of the Active Age programme.

The findings from Gary’s visit are being presented to the United Nations this month in his workshop “Developing and Designing ICT e-Inclusion Programmes for Older Persons” before it is presented in May.

To support Microsoft’s development of the paper, Cels arranged a series of meetings across the North East with thought-leaders and practitioners. It gave all parties the chance to discuss current ageing initiatives, the region’s focus towards this issue and to highlight the joined up approach between all relevant agencies in Newcastle.
 
The report looks at life expectancy, the opportunities and challenges expected in the years to come, the impact on healthcare, society, government and work, as well as the need for change in ageing policy. Gary’s findings also highlight a need for digital literacy amongst the older generations and improving e-inclusion.

Commenting on the research Gary Moulton said: “My time in Newcastle has been extremely beneficial. It’s a vibrant, inclusive, safe, sustainable and modern European city committed to improving the quality of life for older people providing them with access to information, advice and advocacy while allowing physical, mental and emotional well being. The city has the most integrated approach to the needs assessment of older individuals that I’ve witnessed and has provided me with an excellent case study to present my findings to the UN.”

Cels CEO Mike Asher said the relationship with Microsoft brings exciting new opportunities to the North East: “To have one of the biggest companies in the world conduct research in the North East further proves that the region is leading the way in innovation. Gary’s presence in Newcastle is testament to the outstanding work being carried out here and puts the region firmly on the map when it comes to ageing research.”

Cels is a strategic partner of the Active Age programme which was established by BusinessLab to research key issues of an ageing society and to develop innovative solutions to improve competitiveness from a corporate, regional and national perspective.

Current data shows that by 2025, 1.2 billion people will be over the age of 60 with 70 per cent living in developing countries, 25 per cent in developed countries and 5 per cent in transitional economies.