Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon KNZM to be keynote speaker at The Selwyn Institute’s 2017 Ageing and Spirituality conference

A study of spiritual icons, Pope Francis and the late Maori Queen Te Arikinui Te Atairangikahu, and analysis of opportunities for healthy and life-giving spirituality in the third age will be discussed by Archbishop Emeritus Sir David Moxon KNZM, who will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Ageing and Spirituality conference hosted by The Selwyn Institute for Ageing and Spirituality on 1 September 2017.

Delegates at this unique and inspirational conference will enjoy a full-day’s programme of thought-provoking presentations on the theme of ‘Spiritual Leadership in Aged Care’ by an exciting line-up of acclaimed speakers from both New Zealand and Australia.

Archbishop Moxon will also draw on his experiences as former Archbishop of the New Zealand Dioceses of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and his current role as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Representative to the Holy See and Director of The Anglican Centre in Rome.

‘As I enter life's last quarter myself, I am very grateful for the opportunity to share in what will be a remarkable day of reflection, sharing and discovery together,’ says Archbishop Moxon.

This annual conference, with its focus on ageing and spirituality, is unique in New Zealand and looks at spirituality in the broadest sense of the term. It will be of interest to chaplains and pastoral caregivers, members of faith organisations, health and aged care workers, academics and all those involved in caring for older people.

General Manager of The Selwyn Institute for Ageing and Spirituality, Hilda Johnson-Bogaerts, says: ‘Spirituality forms part of a journey of wellbeing and is an essential part of ageing well. Our conference goes beyond religion and looks at the many other aspects of spirituality that are meaningful to the older person, with a focus on improving the quality of our interactions with others and helping people to age well.’

This holistic view of spirituality is evident in the conference programme, with topics ranging from pastoral care, self-care, mindfulness training and art therapy in an aged care setting, to spiritual care in healthcare and the importance of having life tasks and their impact on positive ageing. Among the speakers are Professor Bruce Stevens, Director of the Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies at Charles Sturt University, Canberra, and Dr Richard Egan of the Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago.

The conference will take place in the Selwyn Village Theatre (43 Target St, Point Chevalier, Auckland) from 8:30am – 4:30pm, on 1 September 2017. Seats are limited, with an ‘Early Bird’ rate of $150 available until 7 July 2017 ($175 full price) which includes attendance at the conference, lunch, tea/coffee, conference notes and delegates' satchel.

For further information, contact The Selwyn Foundation’s Selwyn Institute for Ageing and Spirituality on 09 849 9203, email selwyninstitute@selwynfoundation.org.nz.