A conference packed with international experts in ageing populations will be held in Bermuda in December.

The conference was organised by the Bermuda Council on Ageing (BDACA) and has the backing of the Ministry of Health.

The purpose of the conference is to build awareness and generate dialogue and support for Bermuda's ageing population and its impact on Bermuda's social and economic well-being, now and in the future.

BDACA Chairman Jonathan Brewin announced the conference yesterday and said: "The impact of ageing on all our lives will increase dramatically over the next 25 years as the number of people age 65 and older doubles.

"By hosting the December 6th 'Ageing @ Work' conference, Bermuda Council on Ageing is bringing together business, Government and nonprofit leaders, as well as interested members of the public, to learn about and discuss the changes brought about by an ageing population.

"This will be a starting point from which policy solutions can be found that will benefit employers, employees, caregivers, seniors, and the community at large."

There will be several speakers at the conference including Dr. George Leeson, Deputy Director of the Oxford Institute of Ageing and HSBC Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University. Dr. Leeson, who led a ground-breaking global study of 21,000 retirement-age persons in 21 countries, will speak to conference participants on the future of retirement.

Dr. Victor Marshall, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will speak on the social/psychological dimension of extending the working life while Ms. Deborah Russell, director of Workforce Issues and Economic Security at AARP will make a case for the workers over the age of 50.

Minister of Health, Michael J. Scott, said: "As the fabric of Bermuda's demographics changes and our population includes a greater number of older individuals, the Ministry of Health understands the need to identify and understand the key social and economic issues that an ageing population will bring about.

"To make the necessary policy changes to support our community going forward, we must first come together to identify the needs. Bermuda Council on Ageing's December conference, Ageing @ Work, is an important opportunity to do just that."

Bank of Bermuda is the main sponsor of the conference. C.E.O. Phil Butterfield, said the bank was proud to sponsor the event and he was particularly interested in the discussions: "I am at a stage in my life where I have celebrated more yesterdays than I will celebrate tomorrows.

"While there is a basic understanding and some awareness of the issues associated with a growing ageing population, we look forward to exploring this topic in greater depth with other participants and stakeholders as we identify issues and challenges we face as employers and as a community as a whole.

"Ultimately, we hope this conference can bring heightened awareness about a topic which will ultimately affect all of us, as well as inspire businesses to review their responsibility and the consequences of a growing ageing population in Bermuda."

The conference will be held on December 6th at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

To register or to get further information on the conference, contact the conference hotline at 236-0378 or visit www.bdaca.org. The cost for the conference is $100.00 per person.