WKC Forum: Innovation for Ageing Populations – Addressing the challenges of frailty and disability

The WHO Kobe Centre (WKC) will organize an open forum on “Innovation for Ageing Populations – Addressing the challenges of frailty and disability –” in Kobe on 24 June 2014.

By 2020, the world population is projected to reach 7 654 460 000. Out of this, those 60 years old and above will reach 1 016 844 000 (13.28% of the global population), outnumbering the number of children less than 5 years of age which will only be 657 199 000 (8.58% of the global population). In short, the world’s demography is unprecedentedly changing. It is definitely and rapidly ageing.

At this WKC Forum, a WHO expert and three Japanese experts will present their respective framework, evidence-based body of work and strategic recommendations in moving forward on addressing current and emerging frailty and disability in ageing populations through innovations in assistive technology. With diverse backgrounds (i.e., disability; assistive technology; community-based rehabilitation; and prosthetics and orthotics education), they will engage the local community on a lively discussion, answering any question or clarification with regard to their topics of expertise, all towards advancing innovation for healthy ageing.

The forum will be organized in collaboration with the Hyogo Institute of Assistive Technology, Japan.

Date & venue:

24 June 2014 (Tuesday) 14:00 –16:00
WHO Kobe Centre

Programme:

Language: Japanese

14:00–14:10 Opening remarks
14:10–15:20 Presentations
15:20–15:55 Discussion
15:55–16:00 Closing remarks

Speakers:

(in order of presentations)

Mr Chapal Khasnabis
Technical Officer
Disability and Rehabilitation
Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability
World Health Organization (WHO)

Dr Takaaki Chin
President, International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), Japan
Director, Hyogo Institute of Assistive Technology
Director, Robot Rehabilitation Center, Hyogo Rehabilitation Center
Hyogo, Japan

Dr Seishi Sawamura
Principal and Honorary Director
Hyogo Rehabilitation Center
Hyogo, Japan

Mr Toshifumi Komine
Prosthetics and Orthotics Course Director
Kumamoto College of Medical Care and Rehabilitation
Kumamoto, Japan