"Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe" (AAMEE): Good-Practice Exchange Programme addressed to voluntary organisations in Europe

The "Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe" (AAMEE) project, run by the SEN@ER partner region North Rhine-Westphalia and financially supported by the European Commission DG EMPL, has been launched in response to the impact of the demographic change as one of the greatest challenges facing the European Union and its member states. Migrant elders have achieved a great life performance and have contributed significantly to the development of the host societies. Recognising that migrant elders have a great potential and competence, the AAMEE project aims at active ageing and improving the quality of life of migrant elders through better economic, social and cultural inclusion.

It is against this background that AAMEE has set up a Good-Practice Exchange Programme. The objective of the AAMEE Good-Practice Exchange Programme is to initiate and to promote the work of voluntary organisations from and for migrant elders in the fields of, for instance, culture and leisure, life long learning, care and housing.

More information can be obtained from the AAMEE project website: www.aamee.eu

Voluntary organisations and initiatives from all EU member states that are active in the field of migrant elders are invited to apply and take part in the AAMEE Good-Practice Exchange Programme for voluntary organisations.

At the international conference "A New Face for Europe: Migrant Elders across Europe - from Challenges to Opportunities", which was held from 30 September to 2 October 2008 at the World Conference Centre Bonn, Germany, three voluntary organisations were honoured for their successful contribution concerning the integration of migrant elders. These winner organisations will host the exchanges. Each 2 ½ day workshop will be concertedly organised by the respective host organisation and the AAMEE project team.

The workshops will take place at the Caritas Association Paderborn e.V. (24 to 26 April 2009), Workers' Welfare Association Region Hanover (6 to 8 May 2009) and at the Caritas Association Mannheim (15 to 17 June 2009) in Germany.

More details on the workshop programmes, the host organisations and the application form can be obtained from the AAMEE project team via e-mail info@aamee.eu. The information and the application form are also available online at the "Active Ageing of Migrant Elders across Europe" (AAMEE) project website www.aamee.eu. Please refer to the menu item "Exchange Programmes/ Models of Good-Practice".