"World Elder Abuse Awareness Day"

From an email alert sent by the National Center on Elder Abuse, I learned that the United Nations has designated June 15, 2007, as the second annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Initiated last year, this topical day of recognition will be held annually, every June 15th, worldwide.

WEAAD is intended to unite elder abuse prevention & protection advocates around the world. Thus, in every locale, WEAAD can provide "a valuable opportunity for organizing public education and other elder abuse events".

The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) sponsors WEAAD, and provides many materials to support its local recognition, including:

• Community Guide to Raise World Awareness on Adult Abuse -- An event planning guide, offering in a PDF version or a Word version.
• Awareness Day Press Release -- A model press release for local use, available in a Word version.
• Core Campaign Message -- A statement of core principles & objectives, offered in a PDF versionWord version. or a
• Elder Abuse Fact Sheet -- A reference prepared by the World Health Organization for education & awareness, available in a PDF version.
• Awareness Day Flyer -- A one-page announcement about WEAAD, in a PDF version.
• "Save The Date" -- A reminder, either in a Color version or a Black & White version.
  

NCEA announced that a session will held on Monday, May 21, 2007, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. (EDT), to inform & assist those who want to learn about WEAAD for their planning locally.

You can register for the session, which will be conducted online in a live webcast, here.

During the one-hour session, four speakers (Elizabeth Podneiks, PhD; Georgia Anetzberger, PhD; Pamela Teaster, PhD; & Betty Malks MSW) -- who are all highly-qualified in this field & who lead INPEA -- will:

• Provide a perspective on international issues (per the founder of INPEA);
• Highlight INPEA's world scan of projects and initiatives; and
  
• Comment about the importance of World Day (per INPEA's North American Representative).

To register for the session, use the link to complete the registration form & to conduct a check of your computer system for multi-media capability (adequate connection, proper software, & working speakers).

Then, on May 21st, access the registration link (sent to you by email) on your computer 5-10 minutes before the presentation is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm EDT.

NCEA indicated that a taped archive of the presentation should be available as a webcast within 24 hours after its conclusion. But, you will still need the registration link to access that archive.

Questions about this webcast can be addressed to either Suzanne Stack (sstack@nasua.org) or Sara Aravanis (saravanis@nasua.org), both of the National Association of State Units on Aging, in Washington, D.C.

"Show the world you care about ending elder abuse and neglect."
"Wear something purple on World Awareness Day, June 15, 2007."