Today, September 30, 2023, the "Healthy Aging" Symposium was held in the premises of the Olympic Committee. The International Academy of Sciences and Arts, under the auspices of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Health and in cooperation with the European Association of Emeritus Professors, the University of Sarajevo and the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held a Symposium on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons with the aim of promoting sustainable active aging in communities.

In the scope of the European Week of Sport project, financed by the European Commission, whose coordinator is the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we promoted the importance of inclusion and active life of all age groups in sports activities and its importance for preserving health.

The symposium was opened by the Minister of Health of Sarajevo Canton, prof. Dr. Haris Vranić, President of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Academician Asim Kurjak, Vice President of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Professor Emeritus Halima Resić, and in front of the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the attendees were greeted by M.Sc. sci. Rodoljub Petković, President of the Commission for Education OK BIH.

Academician Asim Kurjak, in his lecture, highlighted the issue of aging in a dynamic time, world aging tendencies as well as the aging tendency in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "According to data from 2021, senior citizens (over 65 years old) make up over 14% of the total population in Bosnia and Herzegovina (...) it is assumed that by 2050 the share of the elderly in the total population will increase to over 40%," he said .

Aging entails certain social, economic, social and health consequences, so it is important that we "age as healthily" as possible.

Halima Resić, a member of the European Association of Professors Emeritus, spoke about the importance of physical activity for patients with chronic kidney disease and the very importance of nephroaerobics. As components of rehabilitation, in addition to treatment and medical supervision, in her lecture and through her exceptional experience in working with patients, she pointed out the importance of healthy nutrition and hydration, as well as appropriate exercises and psychological empowerment of patients for complete recovery. "Exercise is extremely important because it improves muscle strength, mobility, general physical condition. Also, exercise helps reduce the side effects of corticosteroid treatment."

Dean of the Faculty of Health Studies, prof. Dr. Arzija Pašalić, focused her lecture on the importance of nutrition in old age, in which she explained to those present the importance of all micro- and macronutrients in the daily diet.

Prof. Dr. Krešimir Galešić, in his lecture, spoke about ANCA vasculitis, a disease of the elderly.

Academician Osman Sinanović spoke about the neuropsychology of aging, and referred to the importance of social interaction in old age. It is up to young people to take more care to preserve a healthy environment and the environment, because air pollution increases the risk of dementia, he said.

Prof. Dr. Zoran Milošević presented the book "Senior Fitness Test" by Dr. Robert E. Rikli and Dr. C. Džes Jones, in which the effects of programmed strength training on the biomarkers of the health status and quality of life of women of the third age, which he spoke about in during his lecture.

Those present at this Symposium could buy this book, and the collected funds will be donated to the gerontology center.

Through the Zoom platform, academician prof. Dr. Srđan Kerim, who spoke about the social function of healthy aging, and looked, like one of the previous lecturers, at the social aspect of healthy aging.

Prof. Dr. Sulejman Kendić and Prof. Dr. Adem Salihagić spoke about the physiology and theory of aging in a joint presentation. "Aging is inevitable, but protecting the health of the elderly is a major indicator of progress or failure in protecting the health of the entire population."

Academician, prof. Dr. Izet Rađo, President of the BiH Olympic Committee, in his inspiring lecture, spoke about transformational processes in the third age. He pointed out that it is important to take care of not only yourself, but also take care of your mind, body and soul, and that this is also a kind of exercise. He ended his lecture with a quote from Robin Sharma, "If you don't have time to exercise while you're healthy, then you'll have to find time to heal later."

At the end of the Symposium, a panel discussion was held by Tomislav Cvitanušić, prof. Dr. Milanko Mučibabić and Sejfo Šehović.

We ended the symposium by choosing these three panelists, so that they could show a real example of what it means to age healthily and with quality.

"This panel sublimated everything we talked about today", concluded academician prof. Dr. Izet Rađo.

By organizing the Symposium, Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina joined other European cities for the first time in celebrating and promoting this socially significant area.