Hosted by: Fielding Graduate University
Location: The Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment
1000 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
February 10-12, 2013
http://www.positiveaging.fielding.edu/
The Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging hosted by the Institute for Social Innovation at Fielding Graduate University is a highly interactive gathering of diverse leaders who are shaping a dynamic future for older adults throughout the world.
“Positive aging promotes creativity, wellness, and growth. It means taking personal control of your life instead of being a victim or passive observer. In this model, aging presents a new opportunity for being socially active, for engaging with the community, for being productive, and for seeking a new meaning and purpose in life.”
-Dr. Katrina Rogers, Provost and Senior Vice-President, Fielding Graduate University
The conference will commence on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at The Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza which sits atop historic Bunker Hill in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The opening reception features speaker and author Wendy Lustbader, MSW, who will give the keynote address and present concepts from her latest book: Life Gets Better: The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older.
Ms. Lustbader is the author of several books and essays that have earned her a national reputation in the field of aging. She is a popular speaker at conferences throughout the United States and Canada, using storytelling to animate complex subjects. Additionally, she is a skilled psychotherapist, having worked almost twenty years with people from all walks of life at a community clinic in downtown Seattle. Equally passionate as a writer, teacher, and therapist, Ms. Lustbader brings a social worker’s lived experience to her writing, teaching, and service to people across the lifespan.
Highlight Presentations
Wendy Lustbader, MSW, will give the keynote address and will speak about “The Unexpected Pleasures of Growing Older" - the title of her latest book. She has also written and spoken about kindness and how to nurture a basic positive attitude towards whatever life brings as we get older.
Ram Dass - Since 1968, Ram Dass has pursued a panoramic array of spiritual methods and practices from potent ancient wisdom traditions, including bhakti or devotional yoga focused on the Hindu deity Hanuman; Buddhist meditation in the Theravadin, Mahayana Tibetan and Zen Buddhist schools, and Sufi and Jewish mystical studies. Perhaps most significantly, his practice of karma yoga or spiritual service has opened up millions to their deep, yet individuated spiritual practice and path. Ram Dass continues to uphold the boddhisatva ideal for others through his compassionate sharing of true knowledge and vision. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence on people from all over the world.
Dr. James E. Birren-One of the "reigning pioneers" in the organized field of gerontology since the 1940s. He is a past president of The Gerontological Society of America, and author of over 250 publications. Dr. Birren will receive Fielding's Creative Longevity and Wisdom Award in recognition of his six decades of seminal contributions including the influential work on guided autobiography.
Dr. Brian de Vries- Professor of Gerontology at San Francisco State University. Dr. de Vries earned his doctorate in life-span developmental psychology from the University of British Columbia in 1998, and was a post-doctoral fellow at both Simon Frasier University in Vancouver, B.C., and the University of Southern California. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of American and a member of the leadership council for the American Society on Aging and co-chair of the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network constituency group. Most recently, Dr. de Vries has become a policy advisor for AARP, California. Dr. de Vries will speak about his extensive work on aging experiences, including bereavement among gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender adults.
The International Conference on Positive Aging aims to provide practitioners and policymakers with knowledge and tools to improve their support of older persons and increase the quality of life for all.
For more information:
Click here for the website: Sixth Annual International Conference on Positive Aging
Facebook - Keep up with the latest information about the conference, and access to a network of individuals who are interested and involved in the topic of positive aging
Click here for Facebook: The Fielding Positive Aging Conference
YouTube – View videos of speakers from previous conferences
Click here for YouTube:Channel for Positive Aging