Alvy Derks, Chair
Since 1995 she is involved as a volunteer in the work of and
for older women. Born in Suriname (South America) she is
especially interested in migrant women. Her main activities
are concentrated on banning age-discrinimation and social
exclusion of older people and giving older women a voice
at local, national and international level.
Elizabeth Sclater, Executive
Officer
Elizabeth has been passionate about age and gender equality for
over 20 years. As a local government officer in London, she has
had experience of mainstreaming equality across a large public sector
organisation. Following her retirement in July 2007, Elizabeth is
active locally, as a member of OWN, Lewisham and in supporting the
development of an older people’s project promoting independence
and wellbeing. She is also a member of two national older people’s
advisory groups. One has been set up by to advise the director of
the New Dynamics of Ageing Research Programme (NDA) and the other
advises the recently established UK Equality and Human Rights Commission.
As a member of EURAG and the International Gray Panthers, she represents
older people, and in particular older women, at the UN in New York
and Geneva.
Maria Teresa Marziali, Treasurer
I was born and live in Central Italy. The social construction
of Europe has been a great part of my interests since 1991, when
I met Elizabeth Sclater, Gender issues are core in my job. I worked
for and with women both at Institutional and local Movements levels
for 25 years. Presently I am a teacher on Adult Education and on
the Autobiographical writing approach in Education.
Enrica Mata, member board
of Arts Fundation
I have spent my working life in the Barcelona Municipality as
an expert on Equal Opportunities and on planning services for older
people. Presently I am a member of the Board of the Arts Foundation
“Felicia Fuster”, which helps women artists and orphans
with University fees. My interests have a focus on health, spirituality
and meditation and I volunteer to accompany terminal sick to death.
Annikki Korhonen, Board member
Master of Arts. She has been working in Finnish Red Cross as specialist
of social services till 1984 and from 1984 she has been working
in Stakes (National Research and Development Center of Social and
Healh Affairs) as senior adviser until 2001. She is a member of
the board of different volantary organisations, boardmember of OWN
since 1998.
She is married, mother of three kids and the grandmother of seven
grandchldren.
Els Messelis
Doctoral Candidate, Free University of Brussels, 2002-2007
MA, Social Gerontology, Free University of Brussels, 1999
BA, Education Sciences, VIVO College, Belgium, 1997
BA, Social Medical Sciences, Free University of Brussels, 1997
BA, Social Work, IPSOC College, Belgium, 1986
Coordinator Training Senior Consultants, Lector and Staff Member
in the Higher Institute for Family Sciences, Brussels
Director of LACHESIS, Office of Expertise on Ageing and Gender (Education
and Research 50+ women and 50+ men), Roeselare
Member of the Belgian Society for Gerontology and Geriatrics
Member of the Commission for social participation of the elderly
(Flemish Council for Older People)
Member of RHEA, Research Centre for Gender and Diversity
Chair of workgroup older people (Flemish Women Council)
