The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) and the Ministry for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing have signed an agreement in the area of Science, Technology and Active Ageing. Such an agreement will enable the delivery of age-appropriate, engaging, non-formal, and specific STEM for Seniors programmes at Esplora Interactive Science Centre.
The agreement seeks to encourage more seniors to visit Esplora as part of their social experience activities, stimulate mental activity, remaining active and to have a better quality of life. The World Health Organisation talks about “An age-friendly world which enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect, regardless of their age.
It is a place that makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people that are important to them.”
This MoU initially signed in 2017 has been extended for another three years and will serve to strengthen the collaboration between the two institutions, building on the success of the past three years. Through the MoU senior citizens will be able to benefit from a reduction in the entrance ticket to Esplora thanks to the Kartanzjan Scheme for those persons over 60 years of age. They will also be entitled to a 10% discount from the EsploraShop (on technological and educational gadgets) as well as a discount on lunch packages from EsploraCafé. Staff and informal carers accompanying elderly persons over 60+ years of age will be granted free entrance at Esplora.
During yesterday’s press conference a dedicated Seniors’ Programme for Group visits was also launched. A typical group visit for seniors at Esplora will include: a visit to one Exhibition Hall, an activity choice between a planetarium film, a science show or a workshop from among Il-Kamra tal-Kliem Mistur, Granny’s Kitchen Chemistry, Science of Active Ageing, Science of Mental Health and an Exhibition and History Trail. Groups will also benefit from an Esplora host that will guide and interact with the group throughout the visit and a light lunch at the EsploraCafé. Fully air-conditioned internal spaces and ample seating is also available throughout the centre.
Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology said: “Esplora serves as a meeting place for people of all ages. They can come together through their shared experiences. We offer various activities through which seniors can learn and be creative, while enjoying each others’ company.” He added that; “This is our primary objective: ensuring that our Centre promotes a culture in which learning and science are fun, and relevant to all.”
Dr Renzo De Gabriele, Chief Executive Officer of the Active Ageing and Community Care, in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing, Mr Matthew Vella, said that “the Active Ageing and Community Care is doing this arrangement as part of its vision to keep the elderly active in the community. We are consolidating this ageement by organising visits to Esplora for the members of the Active Ageing Centres and the residents of Government Homes.”
Minister for Research, Innovation and the Co-ordination of post Covid-19 Strategy, Owen Bonnici thanked all those involved in this agreement and every person who contributed in some way or another in order to make this MoU possible. Minister Bonnici said: “As a Government, we are committed to pushing innovation on the forefront of our country’s agenda. Through this MoU, we are giving an opportunity for Science to be enjoyed by our elderly. Esplora offers interactive science in a way that can help our older generation be more active while also educating them by broading their educational horizons.”
The Minister for Senior Citizens and Active Aging the Hon. Michael Farrugia said that this week we had a number of positive news related to the elderly sector in our country. Among them is the agreement between the Department of Active Aging and Community Care and Esplora, where there will be an opportunity for seniors visiting Esplora to have a substantial reduction in the ticket price, and when they visit in groups they will be supported not only from the Department of Active Aging and Community Care but also from the science sector in our country. "It's never too late to learn. This agreement will give seniors an opportunity to continue learning while visiting the center with their peers, relatives or grandchildren and even be given an explanation of what is behind certain things that are done by them on a daily basis."
The MoU was signed by Dr. Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology and Dr. Renzo De Gabriele, Chief Executive Officer of the Active Ageing and Community Care in the presence of the Hon. Owen Bonnici, Minister for Research, Innovation and the Co-ordination of Post COVID-19 Strategy and the Hon. Michael Farrugia, Minister for Senior Citizens and Active Ageing.