Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme Handbook 2014
Appendix Chapter 1: Set Up Speech by Cllr. Leddin at Age Friendly Event in Limerick
“Cathaoirleach, Manager, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be able to join you in Adare this afternoon.
This gathering marks the beginning of a process that will see a
coordinated approach being adopted by Limerick organisations and
communities to creating a more age friendly society.
This is something I very much welcome not only as Mayor of Limerick
but also as a citizen who is conscious of the responsibility of the powers
that be to cater for all members of our local community.
It’s heartening to see so many organisations and sections of the
community represented here today.
This excellent turnout will give us all confidence as we seek to join the
growing international movement towards creating age friendly
communities.
I know, as a long time public representative, that collaboration amongst
key agencies and communities is key to delivering a comprehensive
and effective strategy of this nature.
I am particularly delighted to see that Limerick City & County Council is
playing a central role in its development.
As Mayor of Limerick, I am very proud of what Local Government has
achieved for the City and County.
Despite the fiscal constraints faced by the local authority, the level and
quality of services provided to the public has been largely maintained.
The level of engagement with communities the length and breadth of
Limerick also remains central to the Council’s policy making process
and overall delivery of services.
I urge all of you here today to adopt this form of public engagement and
consultation as you seek to develop an age friendly programme.
The main question we need to ask and discuss today is: What can we
do to make Limerick a more age friendly county?
I know that the World Health Organisation defines an “age friendly”
community as one in which service providers, public officials,
community, and business leaders and citizens promote the inclusion
and contribution of older persons in all areas of community life.
To develop an age friendly community we must first examine the
physical, social and cultural environment in which our older citizens live
in.
By doing so, particularly through the public consultation process that
will begin in the New Year, we will be able to move closer to developing
an age friendly community, policies, programmes, services and
infrastructure.
The Limerick Age Friendly Alliance that has been established will be
the driving force behind this Programme.
Your spirit of collaboration and cooperation will be crucial over the
course of the Programme.
Once again, and on behalf of the people of Limerick City I want to
congratulate you all for attending today’s event as by doing so you have
expressed your support for the establishment of a more age friendly
environment for all.
A rapid growth in the ageing population across the world represents
one of mankind’s greatest triumphs, but it also puts an onus on society
to put in place a programme and the structures to deal with such a
seismic change.
Here in Limerick, at least, we are working towards developing such a
programme.
Go n’eiri libh agus go raibh maith agaibh.”
CLLR. KATHLEEN LEDDIN
MAYOR OF LIMERICK