Activity Conference euPrevent PROFILE

1 June 2023

On Thursday, 1st June 2023, the euregional project euPrevent PROFILE (prevention of loneliness of older people in the Euregio) organises the Activity Conference euPrevent PROFILE at the GaiaZOO in Kerkrade (NL).

In the past two years, we have been working on the prevention of and combat against loneliness in older people from the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine. Seven project partners, our associated partners and a diverse community of stakeholders from across the Euregio Maas-Rhein have joined forces to increase the awareness of the effects of loneliness, to share best-practices and developments on this topic among partners in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and to train professionals and non-professionals in their daily approach to the issue.

So, sign up for the conference today and celebrate the project’s success with us on June 1st!

If you have any questions in advance, you are welcome to contact us via communication@euprevent.eu.

Registration

Registration for this event is closed.

Date

1 June 2023 09.00-16.30

Venue

GaiaZOO Kerkrade, NL

Program

The director of the Foundation euPrevent – Brigitte van der Zanden – will lead through the following program on June 1st:

Time Part
09:00 – 10:00 Check-In and Reception
10:00 – 12:00 Plenary session

  • Welcome by Brigitte van der Zanden
  • Marja Veenstra, PROFILE project coordinator will lead us through the past two years of the project and gives an overview of the project results
  • While preparing for the next part of the morning program, we will present an informative video interlude from one of our training modules.
  • KBO Heerlen will perform a part of the Theatre play “Starlight”, a story about loneliness. The author Luc Stevens will be present to introduce the play.
  • We then welcome Lise Switsers from the Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, who will give a keynote on the life course perspective on loneliness
  • We will conclude the morning program with a panel discussion with experts from science and practice in which the topic of loneliness will be looked at from different angles. We are pleased to welcome the following panelists:
    • Thomas Hax-Schoppenhorst (Germany), author and expert on loneliness
    • Dr. Frans Verhey (Netherlands), professor of Neuro- and geriatric psychiatry at Maastricht University, founder and former co-director of the Alzheimer Centre Limburg
    • Lise Switers (Flanders) from the Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, academic expert on the topic of loneliness
    • Coraline Dubois (Wallonia), thematic referent on the issues of ageing and solitude within the Belgian Red Cross.

 

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 15:30 Fair/market

Get ready to explore!

A vibrant and diverse group of project partners, associated partners and best practice providers will present their initiatives in a relaxed and informal market atmosphere in the outdoor area of the venue.

It will be a great opportunity to get inspired on how to tackle loneliness and to get into contact with each other.

15:30 – 15:40 Intermezzo

Not only humans experience loneliness, our animal counterparts can also be affected. Join us for a brief presentation by GAIA Zoo to explore how the topic is approached in the animal kingdom.

15:40 – 16:00 Closing and drinks

  • To conclude the conference, we will hear from Jo Paas, the elderman of Kerkrade who has been actively involved in creating inclusive policies for older adults.
  • Following that, we cordially invite you to a networking reception where you can continue exchanging ideas and bring the day to a pleasant close.

Address:

Gaia Event Center (Brughofweg 25 – Gate 3), Kerkrade, the Netherlands

By Car:

We recommend using your smartphone with Google Maps or another navigation app. These maps are up to date and know the new bypass.

GaiaZOO Event Center has its own car park, address: Brughofweg 25, gate 3, Kerkrade.

We have a brief route description and hopefully it might be of some help.

By public transport:

Buses run several times an hour between Kerkrade Centrum and GAIA Zoo (journey time approx. 12 minutes).

A door-to-door travel advice can be put together at www.9292.nl

ROUTE DESCRIPTION – ENTRANCE GAIA EVENT CENTER

From Eygelshoven…

Follow the Buitenring Parkstad (N300) towards Kerkrade. Take the Kerkrade-West/ GaiaZOO exit. A roundabout follows, turn left at the first roundabout. Turn right at the next roundabout (note: do not drive into the GaiaZOO car park). You will drive past the GaiaZOO car park. At the next roundabout, take the second exit (left). You are now driving on the Kerkradersteenweg. At the bottom of the street, turn left at the traffic lights onto Brughofweg; follow the Gaia Event Center signs here. On the left (opposite Erenstein Castle) is the entrance to Gaia Event Center (Brughofweg 25 – Gate 3). There is ample free parking here.

From Maastricht…

Via motorway A79 Maastricht / Heerlen to N281 exit RING Parkstad (Avantis). At the roundabout, turn left towards Kerkrade, (N300) Buitenring Parkstad. Take the Kerkrade-West/GaiaZOO exit. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout. (Note: do not enter the GaiaZOO car park). At the next roundabout, take the second exit (left). You will be on the Kerkradersteenweg. At the bottom of the street, turn left at the traffic lights onto Brughofweg; follow the Gaia Event Center signs here. On the left (opposite Erenstein Castle) is the entrance to Gaia Event Center (Brughofweg 25 – Gate 3). There is ample free parking here.

From Eindhoven/Belgium…

Via motorway A76 (E314) Aachen / Heerlen and junction Ten Esschen towards motorway N281 Voerendaal / Heerlen. Take the RING Parkstad (Avantis) exit. At the roundabout, turn left towards Kerkrade, (N300) Buitenring Parkstad. Take the Kerkrade-West/GaiaZOO exit. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout. (Note: do not enter the GaiaZOO car park). At the next roundabout, take the second exit (left). You will be on the Kerkradersteenweg. At the bottom of the street, turn left at the traffic lights onto Brughofweg; follow the Gaia Event Center signs here. On the left (opposite Erenstein Castle) is the entrance to Gaia Event Center (Brughofweg 25 – Gate 3). There is ample free parking here.