CSIT Seniors Formation Course

From Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 16, the long-planned CSIT Seniors Formation Course took place at the “BSFZ Südstadt” near Vienna. The focus was on games, sport and fun and, above all, the planning and coordination of future meetings under the responsibility and direction of the new CSIT Vice President Birthe Henriksen from Denmark, who has taken over the management of the Seniors agenda from Palle Thomsen.

The course was organized by CSIT member ASKÖ Austria under the direction of Sylvia Laukes. In addition to the activities in one of the largest sports facilities in Austria, a visit to the Austrian capital Vienna was also organized. The program included a visit to the Belvedere Palace, where the Austrian State Treaty was signed on May 15, 1955, as well as a walk through the historic old town of Vienna.

The participants from Austria, Israel, Italy and Denmark were able to try out lots of new activities, including walking football, and take plenty of tips and ideas back to their associations. Birthe Henriksen was very satisfied: “It was very nice meeting people from so many countries and exchanging. We were looking forward to it for a while, as such activities help us meet new people, which in our age is not very easy, but very much important.”

An important aspect of the meetings is above all the social factor of people of an older age, mentioned Birthe: “Some of us lost partners or friends, our surrounding is getting smaller, yet it is important to keep enjoying life to fullest. Activities for seniors, in my opinion, help us live our best life in the elderhood and add years to our life. We are very excited for Loutraki in 2025, where we are working on bringing new interesting activities, even some competitive ones. We are excited to meet people from many many more countries and look forward for the next time we can all meet.”