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This volume-"Selected Contemporary Challenges of Aging Policy"-is the most international of all published monographs from the series "Czech-Polish-Slovak Studies in Andragogy and Social Gerontology." Among the scholars trying to grasp the nuances and trends of social policy, there are diverse perspectives, resulting not only from the extensive knowledge of the authors on the systematic approach to the issue of supporting older people but also from the grounds of the represented social gerontology schools. In the texts of Volume VII interesting are both distinct and coherent elements presenting the role of local, regional and global policies in the prism of the countries from which the authors originate: the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Turkey, and the United States. The chapters show a wealth of methodological approaches to the perception of social policy and its tools. In the texts there are issues related to the idea of active ageing, discrimination against older people in the workplace, comparability of solutions friendly to employment of older adults in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia as well as focused on the importance of educational forms (universities of the third age, senior clubs, folk high schools, and other non-formal solutions) determining an active life in old age. This monograph also attempted to answer the question regarding how to transfer the idea of intergenerational learning into the realm of practice. This issue complements the chapter on the implementation of intergenerational programs in institutions providing long-term care support. The book also outlines a public policy on ageing in the perspective of the changes over the last few decades (Slovenia) and the case demonstrating solutions to accelerate self-reliance as a key to active ageing (Turkey). We hope that seventh volume of our series will be an intellectual stimulus for further international research on change in social policy and will contribute to the dissemination of best ...

PurposeThis article attempts to match the future needs of older people with the possibilities arising from applications based on new technology.Design/methodology/approachThis article examines the implications of novel applications for active ageing policy. These applications are forecast to arise from the convergence of two or more previously separated science disciplines and technologies, including information and communication technologies, nanotechnologies, biotechnology and cognitive sciences.FindingsResearch on converging applications (CA) is largely driven by health applications, and is likely to spill over into the older generation's specific needs. Today, older people's most urgent needs require little CA. In the future, however, the role of CA will become more important as technology develops and is more widely used.Originality/valueOwing to demographic change and its expected social and economic implications, there is a need to investigate how upcoming applications could contribute to the future specific needs of the older population.

"Ageing in Asia contains a selection of leading social systems and programs, with interesting case-studies offering innovative and useful lessons. The book covers ageing and related developments occurring in the most dynamic industrializing and urbanizing societies of emerging Asia. It includes topical issues such public policies and responses to current challenges from the growing needs of an ageing population due to rise of chronic non-communicable diseases, amidst rapidly changing social, cultural, economic and political changes in the region. The main purpose of the book is to provide useful comparisons of social care systems undergoing rapid transitions, and to offer some examples of best practices and lessons to respond to the changing needs due to population ageing."--

The integration of cultural and creative industries and international cultural policy can renew current internationalisation processes: It can serve as a source of inspiration and a driving force. It can be incorporated into foreign communication and the work of intermediary organisations, and it can also be integrated into the promotion of foreign trade. While countries such as Great Britain and Austria have growth and export oriented policies for creative industries, other European countries have developed policies with a sectional approach and orientation. The Netherlands, France and Scandinavian countries associate the potentials of the creative industries with cultural and social attributes. What could an integrated view of an international economic policy for the cultural and creative industries look like which surpasses the dichotomy of culture and the economy, and then, for example, places creativity, inclusion and transnational networking at the centre of its foreign policy activities?

The integration of cultural and creative industries and international cultural policy can renew current internationalisation processes: It can serve as a source of inspiration and a driving force. It can be incorporated into foreign communication and the work of intermediary organisations, and it can also be integrated into the promotion of foreign trade. While countries such as Great Britain and Austria have growth and export oriented policies for creative industries, other European countries have developed policies with a sectional approach and orientation. The Netherlands, France and Scandinavian countries associate the potentials of the creative industries with cultural and social attributes. What could an integrated view of an international economic policy for the cultural and creative industries look like which surpasses the dichotomy of culture and the economy, and then, for example, places creativity, inclusion and transnational networking at the centre of its foreign policy activities?

The policy issue of how to target poor households rather than provide universal coverage takes the primary place in the question of redistribution where resources are limited. The Government of India's social protection programs, particularly the old age pension for the informal sector of the economy, has taken a targeting approach. In this article we show that there is a case for universal coverage since ageing households experience greater exclusion from market‐based protection as well as from informal (household‐based) protection. We make the argument for universal coverage on two grounds: first, a targeted approach has resulted in leakage, indicating that non‐poor elderly individuals in the unorganized sector also require some sort of support. Though they are valid, we do not resort to traditional arguments against targeting, such as that it creates institutional lock‐in mechanisms and stigmatizes the recipients. Second, the loss of income on age‐related matters (e.g. hospitalization) or the ability of elderly individuals to gain credit is not particularly class‐specific, although the targeting policy implies it is. The article is based on the secondary data source of the National Sample Survey, primary data sources, particularly those conducted by the authors in Kerala and Maharashtra and specifically designed for the ageing population, and ethnographic observations from fieldwork.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss trends in demographic ageing in West Africa and asks the question of what policy challenges are posed by the increasing presence of older persons in the subregion. We explore the unique dimensions of population ageing in the subregion, including its rural‐urban and gendered distributions, the occupational history of older persons, among others with the view to identifying the health, housing, and income security implications of ageing. The paper discovers and reviews what policy initiatives are being pursued in respect of older persons and suggests ways for their improvement.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the existing literature on ageing and policy in both published and grey sources, including national and international policy documents. The discussion looks at policy responses in Ghana as a case example for the West African context. Policy information pertaining to Ghana is interpreted in light of the first author's personal familiarity with the context as a national of that country. The age of adults in this context is hard to determine due to low birth registration. In this paper older persons are defined as those 60 plus in chronological years, the age of retirement in Ghana.FindingsIt is established that older persons are concentrated in the rural areas of West Africa and a higher proportion of this demographic group is female. Further, the majority of older persons in West Africa has low formal literacy, is in the informal economy, and has no income security in old age. Yet, older persons continue to play the significant role of grandparenting. This examination of Ghana's policy on ageing revealed inadequacies which need to be addressed. A key recommendation is a policy of universal non‐means‐tested old age security to provide basic income for persons aged 60 years and above.Originality/valueA recommended policy of universal non‐means‐tested old age security to provide basic income for persons aged 60 years and above in Ghana is the original contribution of this paper.

Introduction / Roberta Comunian, Brian J. Hracs, Lauren England -- Creative higher education in Nigeria and the case of University of Lagos / Vincent Obia, Lauren England, Roberta Comunian and Duro Oni -- Collaborations for creative arts higher education delivery in Ghana: A case of the University of Cape Coast / Madinatu Bello -- Fashion Designers and education in Nairobi: challenges and opportunities / -- Lauren England, Ogake Mosomi, Roberta Comunian and Brian J. Hracs -- Uganda film and television: Creative skills development and skills gap for the sector / Roberta Comunian and Gershom Kimera -- Importance of arts and culture in community development in Nigeria: The place of the Councils for Arts and Culture / Duro Oni, Cornelius Onyekaba and Husseini Shaibu -- The historical evolution of the cultural and creative economy in Mahikeng, South Africa: Implications for contemporary policy / James Drummond and Fiona Drummond -- Finance for creative and cultural industries in Africa / Yemisi Mokuolu, Victoria Isabelle Kay, Claudia Mari̹a Velilla-Zuloaga -- Developing the handicraft sector in South Africa: the role of policy / Oluwayemisi Adebola Abisuga-Oyekunle , Lauren England and Roberta Comunian -- Conclusions / Roberta Comunian, Brian J. Hracs, Lauren England.