Hosted by Fielding Graduate University

The Center for Healthy Communities at The California Endowment, Los Angeles

“This conference will grapple with the questions of wellness, community, life transitions and creativity as we age. From these foundations, we will explore how positive aging is a combination of health, wellbeing, self-actualization and living in a system of support.” Katrina Rogers, Senior Vice President, Provost, Fielding Graduate University.

The Sixth Annual International Positive Aging Conference is a highly interactive gathering of diverse leaders who are shaping a dynamic future for older adults throughout the world.

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.

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. His unique skill in getting people to cut through and feel divine love without dogma is still a positive influence.

Dr. Brian de Vries, a professor at San Francisco State University, has done extensive works on the aging experiences (including bereavement) among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults. He will be talking about the role of resilience in these elders and what characteristics they bring to facing the challenges of growing older, coming out of growing up in an era of discrimination and harassment.

A variety of 90 minute workshops will be offered in creativity, wellness, community, and life transitions, many with an international perspective.  The conference content focuses on aging and ageism, caregiving, civic engagement, community, creativity, dialogue, diversity, entrepreneurship, generativity, global & transcultural contexts, housing, intergenerational issues, lifelong learning, life transitions, public policy, services, spirituality, sustainability, wellness, workplace issues, and work in the second half of life.

For information, to register, or submit papers go to: www.positiveaging.fielding.edu