Keynote Speaker Flora MacDonald

Flore MacDonald was invited to the AACE Spring conference in Edmonton to speak about an issue that is dear to her heart...meeting the challenge issued by the U.N.'s General Assembly to move "Toward a Society for All Ages". After all, it is 1999, the year that has been officially declared by the U.N. as the 'International Year of Older Persons'. The objectives of the year are to promote the independence and dignity of older persons and to provide them with opportunities to participate in their communities.

Conference Delegates

Participation is a given for Flora MacDonald. She traveled on Sunday evening from Ontario to be in Edmonton for her early morning speaking engagement. Following her presentation she participated in a second session on the Alberta IYOP Committee and Provincial Initiatives, only to be whisked away to Leduc during the lunch break where she would address a group of seniors all over again. Flora is an of ricer of the Order of Canada, has held several ministerial positions since her election to Parliament in 1972, and remains active in many National and International Organizations. Her life is busy, hectic at times and full of public appearances which she meets with energy and enthusiasm. She is one of many individuals in Canada and Alberta for whom 'senior' status has not diminished a commitment to lifelong personal development and a desire to 'get out and do things'.

Harold Wynn, Rollie Seville (recipient of the Lifelong Learning Award)

Flora stated "Seniors are the fastest growing segment of our society. In a few short decades, the number of citizens sixty years of age or older has risen from one in fourteen people to one in four, or 25% of the population". A significant accomplishment of the twentieth century is that during this time, the average life expectancy has increased by twenty years. The United Nations has estimated that by the year 2016, one in three citizens of the member countries will be aged sixty and over.

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