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'Active ageing' has become a key phrase in discourses about challenges and remedies for demographic ageing and the enrolment of older adults into voluntary work is an important dimension of it. The pattern and factors conditioning volunteering among older people has so far been an under-researched topic in Europe and this is the first book to study volunteering among older people comparatively and comprehensively

Recent epidemiological evidences on very late opacities or cataract manifestation, has led to a review of the actual limit for the eye lens (150 mSv/year) for workers exposed to ionizing radiation. ICRP 118 recommends reducing the limit to 20 mSv per year. This drastic change in the dose limit has been incorporated into the revised European and International Basic Safety Standards (European Commission 2013, International Atomic Energy Agency 2014) and it should be implemented in national legislation of member states in 2018. Up to now, eye lens dose is not routinely measured and there are no general international recommendations regarding procedures on how correctly estimate the dose to the eye lens. The present work provides proposals regarding metrological, dosimetric and radiation protection needs associated to the new limit. At first, a calibration procedure and an easy-to use dosemeter for the eye lens have been set-up to accurately measure eye lens doses in terms of Hp(3) for photon radiation fields. Secondly, a measurement campaign on phantom was performed in order to test several dosimetric systems and to analyze the influence of the position of the eye lens dosemeter. The best position for an accurate assessment of the eye lens dose is to locate the dosemeter as close as possible to the most exposed eye. Measurements at four Spanish hospitals in real clinical conditions were performed in order to evaluate whether the risk of exceeding the new recommended eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv per year is of real concern. 24 physicians and 12 nurses were monitored. Results show that approximately 40% of the monitored physicians and 25 % of monitored nurses would exceed the new limit. The relation between the eye lens equivalent dose Hp(3) and other quantities, easier to measure such as Hp(0.07) with an unprotected whole body dosemeter situated at the chest or the KAP registered in the X-ray console have been investigated. Results highlight that the relation between Hp(3) and Hp(10) or Hp(0:07) measured on the chest or collar with an unprotected whole body dosemeter is more reproducible than the relationship between Hp(3) and KAP, in particular in the case of nurses. Large uncertainties are associated to the estimation of Hp(3) through other quantities (such as KAP or whole body doses). The relationship is dependent on the type of procedure, position of the monitored person and use of protection means. Thus, this methodology is only recommended for monitoring of staff exposed to eye lens doses below 6 mSv or in order to identify which individuals are likely to require regular eye lens monitoring. The recommended correction factor is Hp(3)=0.8Hp(0.07)thorax. For individuals at risk, the use of a dedicated eye lens dosemeter is strongly recommended. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out in order to analyse the influence of several parameters on eye lens equivalent dose and to provide recommendations on eye lens dose reduction and on the effectiveness of the protective glasses. This thesis proposes simple precautions to reduce the dose, such as the positioning of the monitors away from the X-rays. A rotation of the head of 30º or 45º away from the tube is shown to reduce eye lens dose by approximately 50%, in particular at distances of 20cm and 40cm from the X-ray source. Furthermore, a correction factor of 0.3 for wraparound-style lead glasses and a more conservative value of 0.5 for any design of glasses is recommended. This correction should be applied when an eye lens dosemeter is used on an unprotected region close to the eye, as the measurement of the eye lens equivalent dose does not take into account the protection provided by the glasses. This proposal is in agreement with several published work and with the recommendations from ISO in 2015. Finally, this thesis highlights the need of training to improve the use of the protection systems, in particular the ceiling shielding during clinical practice. ; Evidencias epidemiológicas sobre la manifestación precoz de cataratas u opacidades han comportado la revisión del límite anual de dosis equivalente al cristalino (150 mSv /año) para los trabajadores expuestos a la radiación ionizante. ICRP 118 recomienda reducir dicho límite a 20 mSv por año, promediado en un período de 5 años. Este cambio drástico en el límite de dosis se ha incorporado en las Normas básicas de protección radiológica europeas (Comisión Europea, 2014) e internacionales (IAEA, 2013) y deberán ser transpuestas a la legislación nacional de los Estados miembros en 2018. Actualmente, no se lleva a cabo el control dosimétrico de la dosis al cristalino y no se dispone de recomendaciones internacionales consensuadas sobre cómo llevar a cabo dicho control. Esta tesis presenta diversas propuestas para cubrir las nuevas necesidades metrológicas, dosimétricas y de protección radiológica en el ámbito de la cardiología y radiología intervencionista, asociadas al nuevo cambio legislativo. Se ha desarrollado y puesto a punto un procedimiento para la calibración de dosímetros personales de cristalino en unidades de Hp(3). También se ha caracterizado el dosímetro de cristalino UPC-ELD de acuerdo con la norma IEC 32687 (2012) para campos de radiación fotónica. Dicho dosímetro se ha utilizado en una campaña de medidas en maniquí antropomórfico para la validación de diversos sistemas dosimétricos y para analizar la influencia de la posición del dosímetro para la estimación de la medida de la dosis equivalente en cristalino. Se concluye que la posición óptima del dosímetro de cristalino, es sobre la oreja, en el lado correspondiente al ojo más expuesto, habitualmente el izquierdo. Se efectuaron mediciones en cuatro hospitales españoles utilizando el dosímetro UPC-ELD. Participaron 24 facultativos y 12 enfermeras. Los resultados muestran que aproximadamente el 40% de los médicos y el 25% de las enfermeras superarían el nuevo límite. Paralelamente se ha investigado la relación entre Hp (3) y otras magnitudes como Hp (0,07) determinado con un dosímetro de cuerpo entero situado a nivel de tórax encima del delantal plomado o el KAP registrado en la consola de rayos X. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la relación entre Hp (3) y Hp (10) o Hp (0:07), medidas en el tórax, es más reproducible que la relación entre Hp (3) y KAP, en particular en el caso de las enfermeras. La determinación indirecta de la dosis en cristalino presenta importantes incertidumbres puesto que la relación entre las distintas magnitudes depende del tipo de procedimiento, de la posición de la persona y del uso de los sistemas de protección. Por ello, esta metodología sólo se recomienda para la vigilancia individual, si es muy poco probable que la dosis equivalente anual en el cristalino supere 6 mSv, o bien si el objetivo consiste en identificar los puestos de trabajo que pueden requerir un control dosimétrico sistemático. El factor de corrección recomendado para estimar Hp (3) es: Hp (3)= 0.8Hp (0.07) tórax. Cuando no es improbable superar 6 mSv, se recomienda el uso de un dosimetro específico para el cristalino. Mediante simulaciones Monte Carlo se analiza la influencia de varios parámetros en la dosis equivalente en cristalino y se determina la atenuación de distintos tipos de gafas protectoras. En base a los resultados de las simulaciones se propone situar los monitores alejados del haz de rayos X y girar la cabeza de 30º a 45º en dirección opuesta al tubo de RX, dicha posición reduce la dosis en cristalino aproximadamente el 50%, en particular a distancias de 20 cm y 40 cm de la fuente de rayos X. Además, se ha determinado un factor de corrección igual a 0,3 para las gafas de plomo de estilo envolvente y un valor más conservador de 0,5 para otros diseños menos ajustados. Por último, esta tesis subraya la necesidad de mejorar la formación sobre el correcto uso de los sistemas ; Postprint (published version)

Recent epidemiological evidences on very late opacities or cataract manifestation, has led to a review of the actual limit for the eye lens (150 mSv/year) for workers exposed to ionizing radiation. ICRP 118 recommends reducing the limit to 20 mSv per year. This drastic change in the dose limit has been incorporated into the revised European and International Basic Safety Standards (European Commission 2013, International Atomic Energy Agency 2014) and it should be implemented in national legislation of member states in 2018. Up to now, eye lens dose is not routinely measured and there are no general international recommendations regarding procedures on how correctly estimate the dose to the eye lens. The present work provides proposals regarding metrological, dosimetric and radiation protection needs associated to the new limit. At first, a calibration procedure and an easy-to use dosemeter for the eye lens have been set-up to accurately measure eye lens doses in terms of Hp(3) for photon radiation fields. Secondly, a measurement campaign on phantom was performed in order to test several dosimetric systems and to analyze the influence of the position of the eye lens dosemeter. The best position for an accurate assessment of the eye lens dose is to locate the dosemeter as close as possible to the most exposed eye. Measurements at four Spanish hospitals in real clinical conditions were performed in order to evaluate whether the risk of exceeding the new recommended eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv per year is of real concern. 24 physicians and 12 nurses were monitored. Results show that approximately 40% of the monitored physicians and 25 % of monitored nurses would exceed the new limit. The relation between the eye lens equivalent dose Hp(3) and other quantities, easier to measure such as Hp(0.07) with an unprotected whole body dosemeter situated at the chest or the KAP registered in the X-ray console have been investigated. Results highlight that the relation between Hp(3) and Hp(10) or Hp(0:07) measured on the ...

Recent epidemiological evidences on very late opacities or cataract manifestation, has led to a review of the actual limit for the eye lens (150 mSv/year) for workers exposed to ionizing radiation. ICRP 118 recommends reducing the limit to 20 mSv per year. This drastic change in the dose limit has been incorporated into the revised European and International Basic Safety Standards (European Commission 2013, International Atomic Energy Agency 2014) and it should be implemented in national legislation of member states in 2018. Up to now, eye lens dose is not routinely measured and there are no general international recommendations regarding procedures on how correctly estimate the dose to the eye lens. The present work provides proposals regarding metrological, dosimetric and radiation protection needs associated to the new limit. At first, a calibration procedure and an easy-to use dosemeter for the eye lens have been set-up to accurately measure eye lens doses in terms of Hp(3) for photon radiation fields. Secondly, a measurement campaign on phantom was performed in order to test several dosimetric systems and to analyze the influence of the position of the eye lens dosemeter. The best position for an accurate assessment of the eye lens dose is to locate the dosemeter as close as possible to the most exposed eye. Measurements at four Spanish hospitals in real clinical conditions were performed in order to evaluate whether the risk of exceeding the new recommended eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv per year is of real concern. 24 physicians and 12 nurses were monitored. Results show that approximately 40% of the monitored physicians and 25 % of monitored nurses would exceed the new limit. The relation between the eye lens equivalent dose Hp(3) and other quantities, easier to measure such as Hp(0.07) with an unprotected whole body dosemeter situated at the chest or the KAP registered in the X-ray console have been investigated. Results highlight that the relation between Hp(3) and Hp(10) or Hp(0:07) measured on the chest or collar with an unprotected whole body dosemeter is more reproducible than the relationship between Hp(3) and KAP, in particular in the case of nurses. Large uncertainties are associated to the estimation of Hp(3) through other quantities (such as KAP or whole body doses). The relationship is dependent on the type of procedure, position of the monitored person and use of protection means. Thus, this methodology is only recommended for monitoring of staff exposed to eye lens doses below 6 mSv or in order to identify which individuals are likely to require regular eye lens monitoring. The recommended correction factor is Hp(3)=0.8Hp(0.07)thorax. For individuals at risk, the use of a dedicated eye lens dosemeter is strongly recommended. Monte Carlo simulations were carried out in order to analyse the influence of several parameters on eye lens equivalent dose and to provide recommendations on eye lens dose reduction and on the effectiveness of the protective glasses. This thesis proposes simple precautions to reduce the dose, such as the positioning of the monitors away from the X-rays. A rotation of the head of 30º or 45º away from the tube is shown to reduce eye lens dose by approximately 50%, in particular at distances of 20cm and 40cm from the X-ray source. Furthermore, a correction factor of 0.3 for wraparound-style lead glasses and a more conservative value of 0.5 for any design of glasses is recommended. This correction should be applied when an eye lens dosemeter is used on an unprotected region close to the eye, as the measurement of the eye lens equivalent dose does not take into account the protection provided by the glasses. This proposal is in agreement with several published work and with the recommendations from ISO in 2015. Finally, this thesis highlights the need of training to improve the use of the protection systems, in particular the ceiling shielding during clinical practice. ; Evidencias epidemiológicas sobre la manifestación precoz de cataratas u opacidades han comportado la revisión del límite anual de dosis equivalente al cristalino (150 mSv /año) para los trabajadores expuestos a la radiación ionizante. ICRP 118 recomienda reducir dicho límite a 20 mSv por año, promediado en un período de 5 años. Este cambio drástico en el límite de dosis se ha incorporado en las Normas básicas de protección radiológica europeas (Comisión Europea, 2014) e internacionales (IAEA, 2013) y deberán ser transpuestas a la legislación nacional de los Estados miembros en 2018. Actualmente, no se lleva a cabo el control dosimétrico de la dosis al cristalino y no se dispone de recomendaciones internacionales consensuadas sobre cómo llevar a cabo dicho control. Esta tesis presenta diversas propuestas para cubrir las nuevas necesidades metrológicas, dosimétricas y de protección radiológica en el ámbito de la cardiología y radiología intervencionista, asociadas al nuevo cambio legislativo. Se ha desarrollado y puesto a punto un procedimiento para la calibración de dosímetros personales de cristalino en unidades de Hp(3). También se ha caracterizado el dosímetro de cristalino UPC-ELD de acuerdo con la norma IEC 32687 (2012) para campos de radiación fotónica. Dicho dosímetro se ha utilizado en una campaña de medidas en maniquí antropomórfico para la validación de diversos sistemas dosimétricos y para analizar la influencia de la posición del dosímetro para la estimación de la medida de la dosis equivalente en cristalino. Se concluye que la posición óptima del dosímetro de cristalino, es sobre la oreja, en el lado correspondiente al ojo más expuesto, habitualmente el izquierdo. Se efectuaron mediciones en cuatro hospitales españoles utilizando el dosímetro UPC-ELD. Participaron 24 facultativos y 12 enfermeras. Los resultados muestran que aproximadamente el 40% de los médicos y el 25% de las enfermeras superarían el nuevo límite. Paralelamente se ha investigado la relación entre Hp (3) y otras magnitudes como Hp (0,07) determinado con un dosímetro de cuerpo entero situado a nivel de tórax encima del delantal plomado o el KAP registrado en la consola de rayos X. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto que la relación entre Hp (3) y Hp (10) o Hp (0:07), medidas en el tórax, es más reproducible que la relación entre Hp (3) y KAP, en particular en el caso de las enfermeras. La determinación indirecta de la dosis en cristalino presenta importantes incertidumbres puesto que la relación entre las distintas magnitudes depende del tipo de procedimiento, de la posición de la persona y del uso de los sistemas de protección. Por ello, esta metodología sólo se recomienda para la vigilancia individual, si es muy poco probable que la dosis equivalente anual en el cristalino supere 6 mSv, o bien si el objetivo consiste en identificar los puestos de trabajo que pueden requerir un control dosimétrico sistemático. El factor de corrección recomendado para estimar Hp (3) es: Hp (3)= 0.8Hp (0.07) tórax. Cuando no es improbable superar 6 mSv, se recomienda el uso de un dosimetro específico para el cristalino. Mediante simulaciones Monte Carlo se analiza la influencia de varios parámetros en la dosis equivalente en cristalino y se determina la atenuación de distintos tipos de gafas protectoras. En base a los resultados de las simulaciones se propone situar los monitores alejados del haz de rayos X y girar la cabeza de 30º a 45º en dirección opuesta al tubo de RX, dicha posición reduce la dosis en cristalino aproximadamente el 50%, en particular a distancias de 20 cm y 40 cm de la fuente de rayos X. Además, se ha determinado un factor de corrección igual a 0,3 para las gafas de plomo de estilo envolvente y un valor más conservador de 0,5 para otros diseños menos ajustados. Por último, esta tesis subraya la necesidad de mejorar la formación sobre el correcto uso de los sistemas ; Postprint (published version)

The need to cope with the medical, social, and economic storm due to the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as quickly as possible has led to the very rapid development of a huge number of vaccines. All these vaccines have been mainly developed in healthy adults and, in some cases, in the elderly. Children were marginally involved as, according to the clinical trial registry Clinical Trials.gov, only very few studies have included children among subjects to enroll, although just a few weeks after the pandemic declaration, the US Food and Drug Administration had highlighted the importance of vaccine evaluation in pediatrics. Availability of an effective and safe pediatric COVID-19 vaccine appears mandatory for several clinical and epidemiological reasons. However, as the development of an effective and safe pediatric vaccine seems far from easy, strong cooperation among governments, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies is highly desirable.

This article reviews the accounts of Francisco de Amigorena and Alexander Gillespie, a functionary and soldier, written at the end of the 18th Century and beginning of the 19th Century. These accounts formed the basis of the traditional Argentinian historiography of the rural areas of Buenos Aires. From the perspective of the new economic historiography in Argentina and of rural history, the article rethinks the image of the structure of the dominant rural classes of the age and the economic role of the interior of the pampa of the province of Buenos Aires. Specifically, the article questions the idea of the countryside as a deserted space such as it had been depicted in the romantic historiography, and the article proposes the outline of a heterogeneous hinterland dedicated to several activities. ; El artículo revisa los relatos de Francisco de Amigorena y de Alexander Gillespie, un funcionario y un militar, escritos a fines del siglo XVIII e inicios del XIX, que han sido la base de la historiografía tradicional argentina sobre el mundo rural de Buenos Aires. Desde la perspectiva de la nueva historiografía económica argentina y de la historia del paisaje, replantea la imagen de la conformación de las clases dominantes rurales de la época y el papel económico del interior de la pampa de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Específicamente, el artículo cuestiona la idea de un espacio desierto, tal como la pintó la historiografía romántica, y propone el perfil de un hinterland heterogéneo, dedicado a distintas actividades.

"This report provides a range of examples on how the Active Ageing Index (AAI) can be used as a practical tool by policymakers, researchers and other interested parties to identify areas where appropriate policies can realise the active potential of older people"--Executive summary

La demarcación historiográfica tradicional otorgó. a la historia rural rioplatense, colonial y de inicios del siglo XIX, un campo de análisis disociado de la historia urbana, que llevó. a explicar los procesos rurales a partir de la dualidad ciudad-campaña. Se reconstruye el recorrido historiográfico que permitió deconstruir esta mirada, a partir del estudio del área rural periurbana (un espacio productivo mercantil definido por sus múltiples relaciones con la ciudad), prestando atención a los actores vinculados con el abasto porteño. El marco cronológico elegido, caracterizado por la persistencia del crecimiento demográfico y económico en general, pero también por grandes mudanzas de índole política, institucional y mercantil, nos permite reflexionar sobre las continuidades y rupturas en la transición de la colonia al nuevo orden independiente. ; The traditional historiographical demarcation established a field of analysis for the rural history of the River Plate area during the Colonial period and the beginning of the 19th century that was dissociated from urban history. This led to the analysis of rural processes from the perspective of the dichotomy between city and countryside. The article reconstructs the historiographical path that led to the deconstruction of that approach, on the basis of the study of the peri-urban rural area (a commercial productive space defined by its multiple relations with the city), paying special attention to the actors involved in the food supply to Buenos Aires. The selected chronological framework, characterized by a steady demographic and overall economic growth, but also by great political, institutional, and commercial changes makes it possible to carry out a reflection on the continuities and discontinuities in the transition from the Colonial period to the new independent order.

La demarcación historiográfica tradicional otorgó a la historia rural rioplatense, colonial y de inicios del siglo XIX, un campo de análisis disociado de la historia urbana, que llevó a explicar los procesos rurales a partir de la dualidad ciudad-campaña. Se reconstruye el recorrido historiográfico que permitió deconstruir esta mirada, a partir del estudio del área rural periurbana (un espacio productivo mercantil definido por sus múltiples relaciones con la ciudad), prestando atención a los actores vinculados con el abasto porteño. El marco cronológico elegido, caracterizado por la persistencia del crecimiento demográfico y económico en general, pero también por grandes mudanzas de índole política, institucional y mercantil, nos permite reflexionar sobre las continuidades y rupturas en la transición de la colonia al nuevo orden independiente. ; The traditional historiographical demarcation established a field of analysis for the rural history of the River Plate area during the Colonial period and the beginning of the 19th century that was dissociated from urban history. This led to the analysis of rural processes from the perspective of the dichotomy between city and countryside. The article reconstructs the historiographical path that led to the deconstruction of that approach, on the basis of the study of the peri-urban rural area (a commercial productive space defined by its multiple relations with the city), paying special attention to the actors involved in the food supply to Buenos Aires. The selected chronological framework, characterized by a steady demographic and overall economic growth, but also by great political, institutional, and commercial changes makes it possible to carry out a reflection on the continuities and discontinuities in the transition from the Colonial period to the new independent order. ; A demarcação historiográfica tradicional outorgou à história rural rio-platense, colonial e de inícios do século XIX, um campo de análise dissociado da história urbana, que levou a explicar os processos rurais a partir da dualidade cidade-campo. Reconstrói-se o percorrido historiográfico que permitiu descontruir esse olhar, a partir do estudo da área rural periurbana (um espaço produtivo mercantil definido por suas múltiplas relações com a cidade), prestando atenção aos atores vinculados com o abastecimento portenho. O marco cronológico escolhido, caracterizado pela persistência do crescimento demográfico e econômico em geral, mas também por grandes mudanças de índole política, institucional e mercantil, permite-nos refletir sobre as continuidades e rupturas na transição da colônia à nova ordem independente. ; Fil: Ciliberto, Maria Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina ; Fil: Rosas Principi, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina

In this topical book, older people's volunteering is studied in eight European countries at the structural, macro, meso and micro levels. Overall it highlights how different interactions between the levels facilitate or hinder older people's inclusion in voluntary work and makes policy suggestions for an integrated strategy.

In this topical book older people's volunteering is studied in eight European countries at the structural, macro, meso and micro levels. Overall it highlights how different interactions between the levels facilitate or hinder older people's inclusion in voluntary work and makes policy suggestions for an integrated strategy.

Desde distintos enfoques, varias investigaciones recientes convergen en reflexionar sobre las transformaciones que afectaron al conjunto de la economía rioplatense en la transición de la colonia a la independencia. En esa dirección se orienta nuestro trabajo analizando la producción y la circulación mercantil periurbana orientada al abasto citadino porteño entre fines del siglo XVIII y la primera mitad del siglo XIX. En este trabajo focalizaremos nuestra atención en los cambios que el crecimiento urbano de Buenos Aires genera en la estructura productiva de su inmediata campaña y en cómo estas transformaciones impactan en el comercio minorista rural/urbano y entre sus agentes. Para ello recurriremos al análisis de diferentes fuentes documentales, entre las que se destacan los censos de población, las sucesiones patrimoniales y otros registros fiscales e impositivos. El marco cronológico elegido, caracterizado por la persistencia del crecimiento demográfico y económico en general pero, también, marcado por grandes mudanzas de índole política, institucional y mercantil, nos permitirá revisar las continuidades y rupturas que, para otros ámbitos, las investigaciones tienden a señalar. ; From different approaches and issues, several recent researches converge to reflect on the changes that affected the Río de la Plata economy in the transition from colony to independence. In this direction focuses our work trying to analyze the peri‑urban production and the supply of the Buenos Aires market between late‑eighteenth century and early‑nineteenth century. In this paper, we will focus our attention on the changes that urban growth generated in the productive structure of the Buenos Aires immediate hinterland and how these changes have an impact on rural/urban retail trade and among its agents. The analysis of different documentary sources, including population censuses, the patrimonial estates and other fiscal and tax records will allow us to follow to show these changes. The selected chronological framework, characterized by a persistent demographic and economic growth in addition to remarkable political ‑ intitutional and mercantil changes, will allow us to check the continuities and ruptures that, for other areas, the researches tends to point out. ; Fil: Ciliberto, Maria Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Centro de Estudios Históricos; Argentina ; Fil: Rosas Principi, Andrea Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Humanidades. Departamento de Historia. Centro de Estudios Históricos; Argentina

Worldwide, active aging policy calls for greater participation of senior citizens in the social, economic, and political realms. Despite emerging evidence of initiatives engaging senior citizens in social activities, little is known about the use of participatory approaches in the design and/or implementation of policies that matter to older citizens. This article identifies initiatives facilitating the civic participation of older people in policy-making in European Union member and associate states, drawing on a review of the literature, consultation of national policy experts, and exemplary case studies. Four main patterns of senior civic participation are identified: adopting consultative or co-decisional participatory approaches in policy design or policy implementation. The four are represented to varying degrees at different geographical levels (national, regional, local), with different actor configurations (appointed, elected/nominated, corporate representation), and with varying degree of institutionalization (temporary/permanent). Case studies illustrate approaches taken to enhance the quality and effectiveness of public services for senior citizens. Future research should strengthen this line of enquiry to cast further light on conditions facilitating the civic participation of senior citizens. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion