The ageing and development report. Poverty, independence and the world’s older people: A HelpAge International repo, edited by Judith Randal, Tony German and Deborah Ewing

This volume is a timely reminder ofthe significance of global ageing for the new millennium.The report has a strong mes sage: Poverty and exclusion remain the greatest threats to the well-being of older people all over the world.Both the rights and the contributions of older people need to be recognised.Most older people are not only resourceful survivors but are supporting the fabric and well-being of their families and communities.The best way to improve the lot of older people in developing countries is to enhance their coping strategies so that they continue to contribute to household and society.In this way older people become part of the development solution rather than a social burden to society.In short, the report argues that targeting the most disadvantaged, namely older people and older women in particular, is indeed a good development strategy.The report draws on case studies from around the world to illustrate best practice in the provision of family support and community participation in development projects.Many of these vignettes are supplied by members of HelpAge Interna tional, as is the charming photographic material, which depicts positive images of engaged older persons.The report may be seen as a companion volume to recent development reports produced by international agencies such as the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme.In many passages, readers are made to think that this volume is a rejoinder and update on the World Bank's 1994 report on Averting the old age crisis.The AGEING & DEVELOPMENT report has similar layout and format aimed to appeal to a wide readership.The boxes of illustrations are eye-catching and worth reading on their own.Some are writ ten by recognised experts who have summed up insights of many years of research for readers' benefits.The volume is carefully edited.Although there is no index, the detailed list of contents serves this purpose well for a reference work.