IFA Virtual Town Hall Chat Summary 16 October 2020
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.
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Key Resources
- Go Mobile Digital Plans for Older People
- Mobile Access for Seniors
- The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People
- Singapore Ministry of Social and Family Development – Befriending Service
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Speaker Biographies
Thelma Kay is the former Chief of the Social Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and also former Senior Advisor on Ageing Issues , Ministry of Social and Family Development , Singapore.
Ms Kay was educated at the National University of Singapore and the London School of Economics and Political Science. Ms Kay was a faculty member at the Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore. At UNESCAP she was in charge of regional implementation and monitoring of global and regional mandates on social development, social protection, gender equality and ageing (MIPAA).
Ms Kay has served on the board of entities of global and regional organizations (such as UNESCO, Asian Institute of Technology) . She is currently an advisor/ consultant to governments, regional bodies ( such as the Asian Development Bank ) , international organizations and UN entities, and country representative of the Active Ageing Consortium for Asia and Pacific .