Blog
About the World Summit on Social Development
The United Nations General Assembly, through its resolutions 78/261 and 78/318, decided to convene the “World Social Summit” in 2025, under the title “the Second World Summit for Social Development” to be held in Doha, Qatar from 4-6 November.
The Summit will convene heads of State or Government, along with other leaders and CSOs, to address gaps and recommit to the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action and its implementation and give momentum towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Advancing Healthy Ageing as a Cornerstone of Social Development
As populations age at unprecedented rates, the global community faces a decisive moment: will we adapt policies and systems to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity, health, and voice, or risk leaving millions behind? Our work demonstrates that investing in healthy ageing strengthens entire societies, from resilient health systems and inclusive labour markets to sustainable urban development and intergenerational solidarity. The ageing agenda must be a core component of the sustainable development agenda.
“Making Communities Work for the Most Vulnerable” WHO/IFA Webinar
The latest WHO / IFA webinar, “Making communities work for the most vulnerable: What can age-friendly learn from the dementia-friendly movement?” was presented by Ms. Natalie Turner (Centre for Ageing Better, UK) on July 12, 2017. The webinar, third in a series of...
Age-friendly Environments at the IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing
Recently, the IFA conducted a survey to assess topics of interest to age-friendly experts and enthusiasts at the 14th Global Conference on Ageing, and to begin to shape the age-friendly programme in accordance with these interests. Sixty-five organizations from across...
UN expert urges public action to halt abuse of older persons by relatives
Guest statement by Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons, United Nations Many older persons are at risk of being abused by their own relatives, a United Nations human rights expert has warned. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, Independent...
Live From New York: the IFA at the UN in June
IFA – Live from New York Post by Dr. Sandra Timmermann, IFA UN Representative and Editor of Live From New York. Please e-mail Dr. Timmermann with any questions or comments. IFA in Spotlight by Sponsoring UN Briefing on Global Ageing “Society is being transformed by...
The Benefits of Companion Animals for Older People [Guest Blog]
Guest post by Jack Bird, Wild Science It might seem obvious to some that playing with a pet can make you happier, but their impact on humans can go above and beyond that. Animal workshops for older people are becoming increasingly popular, and a look at the actual...
Older people hit hardest by flu in Europe [Guest Post]
Guest post by Gary Finnegan, Editor, Vaccines Today Flu season is over for another year. Vaccines Today reported that worst-affected age group were those older 65 years of age. One of the key reasons for this was that the dominant flu virus this year – influenza...
IBM – Combating Loneliness in the Ageing Population
Post written by Sheila Zinck, Advocacy and Eminence Program Manager, IBM Accessibility Research The world’s aging population is expanding rapidly, and by 2050 more than one out of five people will be age 60 or older. A new epidemic is growing just as quickly, with 43%...
WHO / IFA Webinar on the “WHO Core Indicators of Age-Friendliness”
The latest WHO / IFA webinar was a great success! The second in a series of webinars in the field of AFE, the “WHO Core Indicators of Age-Friendliness” webinar was presented by Dr. Megumi Kano of the World Health Organization Centre for Health Development (Kobe...
WHO / IFA Webinar on “Establishing Age-Friendly Environments”
The IFA, in collaboration with the WHO, recently hosted the first in a series of webinars on age-friendly environments slated for 2017. Along with other initiatives of the IFA / WHO Age Friendly Innovation Exchange, this series of webinars will form a foundation for...