In February 2020, Professor Shereen Hussein was invited by INRCA-IRCCS (National Institute of Health and Science on Ageing) – Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, (Ancona, Italy) to discuss population ageing in the MENA region.
Following a presentation explaining the challenges and opportunities associated with population Ageing in the MENA region, the team discussed ways of learning from the experience of countries like Italy. In particular, they discussed the role of social capital, especially that of the family and community, continues to play an important role in the provision of care to older people.
Giovanni Lamura discussed how the MENA region can learn from the Italian experience when formulating and implementing long term care policies. Specific to this experience are policies aiming at reducing social isolation at old age and making use of community support and volunteering.
Interview with Claudia Di Matteo, an international social worker reflecting on knowledge translation of her research experience to the Middle East context.