Preparatory Meeting for the 24th National Elderly Day Commemoration (HLUN)

JAKARTA (13 May 2020) –  The Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation held a preparatory meeting for the 24th National Elderly Day (HLUN) Commemoration of 2020 via video conference. The 24th HLUN will be commemorated on May 29, 2020, with the theme Country Presents for the Elderly.

"We consider this anniversary of old age very important. This year, things are different from the HLUN warnings in previous years because in the COVID-19 pandemic situation, we have to do the COVID-19 prevention protocol. Keep your distance, as much as possible at home, do not hold mass gatherings, and we also communicate via virtual, and so on, "said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Harry Hikmat.

The use of social media is urgent, it can be used in the HLUN process. Socialization events, seminars, presentation of research results related to the elderly, and various things that are possible to be done virtually, the Ministry of Social Affairs will support, explained Harry.

"We are fully aware that this elderly has become the concern of all parties. Therefore, this HLUN commemoration, one of which we have initiated, will be broadcasting social affairs speeches with the latest elderly issues, how the elderly face the COVID-19 pandemic which will be broadcast via electronic and printed media, "said the Director General of Social Rehabilitation. The Director General of Social Rehabilitation hopes that there will be serious efforts to prevent the spread or transmission of COVID-19, including the elderly, one of the categories most vulnerable to being exposed to COVID-19.

"The spirit that we build, how many parties are involved, not only the government, but also partner institutions, the business world, universities, we hope to be present to commemorate HLUN with the methods and creativity developed by each party," said Harry.

According to the Director General of social rehabilitation, the 24th HLUN warning adjusts to the situation and conditions, without reducing the meaning and essence of the HLUN, the implementation of the warning is carried out simply, effectively and efficiently. As well as optimizing media facilities and infrastructure, both audio-visual, electronic, information , and other media.

"We hope that there are thoughts from many parties regarding the HLUN commemoration which is completely different from the previous one. We ask for further input from various parties so that HLUN is not only commemorated as an ordinary warning but there are a series of activities with kick off 15 before and after the D-day, ”said Harry.

May 15th will commence the declaration of the HLUN commemoration, the climax of which can be filled with the minister's speech via video conference. Each Elderly Social Rehabilitation Center / Workshop is expected to have an HLUN commemoration agenda for May 29, 2020.

In his direction, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation (Rehsos) ordered that elderly beneficiaries seek and record testimonials about the social situations they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic to be followed up as broadcast material.

Furthermore, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation said that the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs in handling COVID-19 includes 8 strategic steps including touching elderly groups. For example, the fulfillment of basic needs in the form of basic necessities, PKH, special assistance from the President. In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs seeks to ensure local governments can respond quickly by strengthening various policies. In particular, the Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared a social rehabilitation center for quarantine for elderly exposed to COVID-19.

The Priority Issues for the Elderly Social Campaign according to the Director General of Social Rehabilitation include the Elderly Social Assistance Program: Aimed Assistance, Social Care, Family Support and Therapy, as a social protection effort for the elderly, Empowerment of potential elderly people to increase independence, Strengthening Harmonious Relations between Generations (in families and communities) through the SALUT (Voice of the Elderly) movement, Strengthening community-based elderly institutions, Synergy between humanitarian programs to create independent, prosperous and dignified elderly, Stepping into the Future: Harnessing Talent, Contribution and Participation Elderly in the Community, Promotion of the Rights of the Elderly based on the principle of Leaving No One Behind (leaving no one behind), developing a network of partnerships to build elderly-friendly areas.

A total of 64 participants attended this meeting consisting of the Director of Social Rehabilitation for the elderly, the head of the UPT for the elderly, echelon 3 officials, echelon 4 and staff in the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation. representatives of Ministries / Institutions including the Coordinating Ministry for the Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of Health, the National Development Agency, the BKKBN, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of PUPR, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Social Services Agency, Universities / Partners and Professionals. The 3-hour meeting also listened to and discussed input from meeting participants.