Participation in the International World for Ukraine Summit

For two consecutive years, the important World for Ukraine (W4UA) Summit has been held in Poland, bringing together representatives from the government, non-governmental organizations, and businesses worldwide to collectively devise effective ways to overcome the consequences of the war in Ukraine. This year, our Foundation was invited to the summit to participate in a panel discussion on the well-being of the elderly in Ukraine, as seniors constitute a significant portion of the country’s population—over 30%. On September 28, 2023, Varvara Tertichna, CEO of the Starenki Foundation, along with colleagues from relevant organizations, discussed the importance of joint efforts towards happy aging in post-war Ukraine: “Organizations supporting the elderly should be one of the driving forces combating social isolation, ageism, and aiding the government in reforming the social support sphere, addressing the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards retirees.” Varvara emphasized that alongside the challenges faced by the elderly in Ukraine, there is a global trend of an aging population, making it crucial to act synchronously with the rest of the world. The Foundation’s leader also stressed that the elderly have significant potential for society and are essential for the country’s recovery and further development. Participants in the round table also discussed the urgent needs of the elderly, especially in frontline areas, and how to take care of them in such dangerous and practically abandoned places. We are grateful to Irina Shevchenko (Unforgettable Foundation), Valeria Paliy (National Psychological Association), Christina Semegen-Bodak (Caritas Ukraine), and Brittany Armstrong (Ukraine Telehealth Initiative, Northwell Health’s Center for Global Health) for their insightful discussion and to Natalia Yegorovets for moderating. The recording of the panel discussion can be viewed here: [link]. The Starenki team is pleased that the topic of the elderly resonates in the context of the country’s recovery. This is the first step in involving the elderly in social change. Despite their own difficulties, they are already a significant support for us. Let’s not forget to be a support for them!