Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) aims at extending the time older people can live in their preferred home environment by increasing their autonomy and assisting them in carrying out activities of daily living. The aim is to enhance the quality of their lives by the use of ICT products and the provision of remote services including care services that will assist them to achieve the autonomy, independence and dignity appropriate to their needs and conditions.
The AAL Joint Programme (AAL JP) is a new joint research and development (R&D) funding activity implemented by actual 20 European Member States and 3 Associated States with the financial support of the European Community based on article 169 of the EC treaty. The overall objective of the programme is to enhance the quality of life of older people and strengthen the industrial base in Europe through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The motivation of the new funding activity derives from the demographic change and ageing taking place in Europe, which implies not only challenges but also opportunities for the citizens and the social and healthcare systems as well as industry and the European market.
The AAL FORUM 09 is the kick-off event of the international conference series of the AAL-JP and will serve as an information and discussion platform for stakeholders, scientists and users in Europe. It is intended to install the AAL FORUM as the central European AAL meeting place.
The thematic priorities of the first AAL FORUM 09 will be national and European AAL activities, R&D projects and economic aspects of the joint programmes, the third AAL call for proposals as well as key questions of the further development of the AAL Joint programme.
For this it will cover:
- AAL activities in regions, member states and Europe
The strong background of national, regional and European activities is presented and discussed. - Scientific aspects of the AAL JP themes within the Joint Programme, focussing on user involvement and interdisciplinary aspects of the JP.
- Innovation and Economy aspects
The economic realisation of AAL needs a strong market. Its framework, the needs and requests of investors and business models will be presented and analysed. - The Joint Programme itself, its elements and content
The JP is discussing its own state and further development and promoting matchmaking. - Important issues of general relevance of the AAL field
An exhibition will present institutions, companies, projects, activities and actors of AAL. Workshops for young researchers/PhD students and tutorials on industrial themes and best practice will give the state of the art in AAL.
Venue of the FORUM is the famous Hofburg in the heart of Vienna.
The Forum is organised by the European AAL Association (http://www.aal-europe.eu) in conjunction with the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Technology and Innovation (http://www.bmvit.at).
For further information and registration, please visit:
http://www.bmvit.gv.at/aal