ASEAN Regional Seminar on “Economic Empowerment of Older Persons from the Perspective of Gender Equality via Intergenerational Strategies and Innovations for All in an Aging Society”

22 September 2023

College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the ASEAN Secretariat, together with ASEAN networks in Thailand and abroad, organized an ASEAN regional seminar on “Economic Empowerment of Older Persons from the Perspective of Gender Equality via Intergenerational Strategies and Innovations for All in an Aging Society” on August 7, 2023.

The objectives of the seminar were to exchange and promote economic empowerment of the elderly using intergenerational strategies and innovations in an aging society with an emphasis on gender equality. It also aimed to build academic and efficient networks among ASEAN+3 countries, as well as prepare suggestions for said countries to promote the agenda. Prof. Dr. Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Chulalongkorn University’s Vice President for Research Affairs, gave a welcome speech before Miss Ramrung Worawat, Director–General of the Department of Older Persons, opened the seminar. The seminar was attended by 85 participants via Zoom.

Participants from Chulalongkorn University’s College of Population Studies included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruttiya Bhula-or, Deputy Dean, Dr. Nopphawan Photphisutthiphong, Dr. Chadatan Osatis, and Dr. Chonticha Asavanirandorn. They were joined by representatives from the Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, along with representatives from ASEAN networks from Thailand, e.g., employers’ representatives, including Employers’ Confederation of Thailand and the ASEAN Conferderation of Employers (ACE); employees’ representatives, including Thai Trade Union Congress, National Congress Private Industrial of Employees, Labour Congress Of Thailand, State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation, and ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC); non-profit organizations’ representatives, including Kenan Foundation Asia, Foundation for Older Persons’ Development, ASEAN Trade Union Council, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Alliance on Longevity In Asia- Pacific (AL-AP), and Help Age International; representatives of educational institutions and civil society, including the Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute, Chula ARi-Thai ARi, Collaborating Centre for labour research, Chulalongkorn University (CU-ColLaR), and Global Labour Organization (GLO).

The event featured the following activities:

Keynote speech:
Challenges and Opportunities of Intergenerational Strategies and Innovations for All in an Aging Society: Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing” by Ms. Sabine Henning, Chief of the Sustainable Demographic Transition Section, Social Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP)
Keynote: Promoting Economic Empowerment of Older Persons for an Inclusive Society: Case studies” by Dr. Rintaro Mori, Regional Advisor on Population Ageing and Sustainable Development at UNFPA Asia-Pacific Office (UNFPA)

Keynote: Older Persons and opportunities for economic empowerment in ASEAN+3” by Mr. Miguel Musngi Assistant Director & Head of the Poverty Eradication and Gender Division, Human Development Directorate, ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Department, ASEAN Secretariat
Creating Inclusive Employment Opportunities for Older Persons: Best Practices and Future Strategies with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ruttiya Bhula-or as the moderator. The discussion included

ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE)’s Ms. Khine Khine Nwe (Rosaline), Secretary General of Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), and Trustee on the Board of ASEAN CSR Network
ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC)’s Representative, namely Mr. Ruben D. Torres, General Secretary of the ATUC, and Vice President for International Relations of the National Trade Union Centre of the Philippines
Alliance on Longevity in Asia- Pacific (ALAP)’s Representative, namely Ms. Susana Harding, ALAP Secretariat; Senior Director, International Longevity Centre Singapore, Tsao Foundation
HelpAge International’s Representative, namely Mr. Eduardo Klien, Lead Regional Representative &Asia Pacific Regional Representative

Group 1: Full and productive employment & Social protection led by Mrs. Thapanee Intaratat, Specialized Social Worker at Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Miss Pasuta Nutchanit, Foreign Relations Officer, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Dr. Nopphawan Photphisutthiphong, College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Group 2: Rights at work & Social dialogue led by Miss Tanatchaporn Cholnapakul, Plan and Policy Analyst, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Miss Siriporn Kudeeratana, Specialized Social Worker, and Dr. Chadatan Osatis, College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University

Group 3: Effective regional planning and coordination mechanisms led by Miss Chayaporn Thatakian, Social Development Worker, Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Mr. Panithan Pornpaiboon, Assisting Foreign Relations Officer, Department of Older Persons, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and Dr. Chonticha Asavanirandorn, College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University

This seminar yielded in-depth conclusions that can be used to push forward constructive policies. In addition, sample projects from various countries were presented. In the case of Thailand, case studies of Chula-Thai ARi project and an innovation to improve job security and income for informal sector workers who are nearly elderly and elderly people via Social-Solidarity Economy (SSE) on digital platforms were presented. Prof. Dr. Vipan Prachuabmoh, Dean of the College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University, gave the concluding remarks and that ended the seminar.