Alberta Involvement in I.Y.O.P.

In Alberta, three launches were held in Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton. Premier Ralph Klein kicked off the UN designated year by saying "on behalf of the Government of Alberta, I now proclaim 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons in the province of Alberta". Along with the Honorable Shirley McClellan, Minister of Community Development, he unveiled the IYOP flag.

The Honorable Shirley McClelland, Minister of Community Development, established by appointment, an Alberta International Year of Older Persons Advisory Committee. Members will provide a link between federal and provincial initiatives and local communities. The committees objectives are to: assist the Minister in coordinating the Government of Alberta's participation in IYOP celebrations, events and activities; and to assist communities in preparing for and participating in federal, provincial and local activities. Long-time AACE member, Diane Osberg was appointed to represent the province of Alberta on the Canada coordinating Committee.

Alberta planning booklets have been sent to many provincial organizations and departments including Arts organizations, Further Education Councils, Libraries, Museums, Health Authorities, Cultural and recreation facilities and associations, Agricultural Societies, and city, town and municipal officials. Alberta IYOP representatives will be working with members of these organizations to facilitate collaboration and cooperation in implementation of activities throughout the year. Each jurisdiction, be it municipality, community, organization, institution, or business, is responsible for developing its own plan for recognizing the Year.

Several organizations have chosen to focus on 'services for seniors' during the upcoming year with the plan that activities initiated in 1999 will carry on for years to come. The theme of many conferences, including a stream of the spring AACE conference, will also deal with IYOP goals and objectives.

Many Alberta communities and organizations have organized steering committees to plan an implement activities FOR and WITH seniors in their communities. Activities are being posted on the provincial Web site at www.gov.ab.ca/mcd/seniors/iyop/iyop.htm

Members of the Alberta IYOP Committee are working in their jurisdictions to have all cities and municipalities declare 1999 the Year of the Older Person, to have businesses become 'Senior Friendly' , to have regular press releases about IYOP activities, and to encourage collaboration and cooperation in scheduling events.

Community and Corporate Planning Kits produced by the federal government are available to help with planning local activities. Alberta Community Development also has developed an ideas booklet, free of charge for the asking, which outlines ideas and suggested activities for the year. Flags are also available to borrow during celebration activities from Community Development field Services Offices or members of the Alberta IYOP committee. Groups interested in purchasing flags for $54.50 each can do so by contacting The House of Flags, 450- 4173. For permission to use the official logo, review the guideline in the Canadian Community Planning Kit. IYOP products including pins, mugs, shirts, key chains, etc. can be purchased. A full catalogue will be available on the Webb and the phone number to call is (613) 725 -1561

Very attractive display units are also available for use during l999. They are about three feet wide and eight feet tall and are very easy to erect. Shipping charges to and from Health Canada in Edmonton will be the responsibility of the borrowing group. To book these displays, call Ellen Voghel at the Health Promotion and Programs Branch at 495-7349 or Duna Bayley, Community Development Field Services in Calgary at 297-8418. Community and Corporate Planning Kits, produced by the CanadianCoording Committee, are available free of charge by contacting Alberta Seniors Policy and Programs at 1-800-6423853. Information can be found on the internet at several addresses, however the Calgary Webb page can lead you to all locations:

www.gov.calgary.ab.ca/81/iyop/