AIMS & OBJECTIVES

In accordance with its mandate and with the provisions of the Agreement signed between the United Nations and the Government of Malta, the Institute's main objectives are to fulfill the training needs of developing countries and to facilitate the implementation of the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing.

The Institute provides multi-disciplinary education and training in specific areas related to Ageing, and also acts as a catalyst as regards the exchange of information on issues concerned with ageing.

Since 1995 INIA has also started conducting training programmes in various countries throughout the world. Each “in situ” training programme is tailored to the respective country’s needs. During the past 18 years, INIA has conducted 83 such programmes in Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Federative Republic of Brazil, People’s Republic of China, Egypt, Republic of Ghana, Republic of India, State of Kuwait, Republic of Macedonia, Malaysia, United Mexican States, Republic of Moldova, Republic of Panama, Republic of the Philippines, State of Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Republic of Singapore, Republic of South Africa, Kingdom of Thailand, Tunisian Republic, Republic of Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. 2442 participants have benefited from these programmes.

These Training Programmes are for persons, coming from developing countries, who hold positions as policy-makers, planners, programme executives, educators, professionals and para-professionals who work, or intend to work, in the field of ageing or with older persons.

The Training Programmes are further reinforced by the Institute's other activities, these being: data collection, documentation, information exchange, technical co-operation as well as research and publications. INIA has thus carried out Research Projects, hosted expert group meetings, and offered Consultancy Services. The Institute is also mandated to act catalytically, and to operate through a network of co-operative cost-sharing arrangements, internationally regionally and nationally in co-operation with the United Nations and its agencies, the Regional Commissions and governmental and non-governmental organisations.

The Institute operates under the guidance of an International Board consisting of nine members. The Chairperson of the Board and six members are appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with due regard to the principle of equitable geographical distribution and two members are appointed by the Government of Malta. The term of office of the Board is of three years.