Project Director Provides Input to WHCoA

GSA is working to take an active role in The White House Conference on Aging to be held October 23-26, 2005 in Washington, DC. Dr. Greg O'Neill, Director of the National Academy on an Aging Society recently made a statement before the conference's Policy Committee in connection with GSA's new Civic Engagement in an Older America project (see August 2004 newsletter). Dr. Darryl Wieland, Chair of GSA's Task Force on Research in collaboration with President Fox Wetle also submitted a statement on research, education, and training. Click here to access a PDF file of Dr. O'Neill's statement.

The WHCoA occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the President and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting the dignity, health, independence, and economic security of current and future generations of older persons. The 2005 conference has a special mandate to focus on the needs of the baby boom generation.

For this decade's conference, Congress requested that no more than 50 recommendations be made. As a result, the Policy Committee is holding discussions based around five broad topics, of which civic engagement (including community service and volunteerism, leisure activities, and lifelong learning) is one. The others include planning along the lifespan, employment, environment, and the marketplace.

During his statement, Dr. O'Neill was also able to express GSA's interest in having its forthcoming series of focus groups and forums associated with the civic engagement project designated as an official WHCoA event. In 1995, GSA conducted a similar series of forums and focus groups in four communities across the country called "Back to the Grassroots: A Chance to be Heard," that were designated as an official WHCoA event and that helped to inform the agenda of the 1995 conference. GSA is also exploring other opportunities for involvement.

For more information on the 2005 WHCoA visit www.whcoa.gov.