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National programmes for age-friendly cities and communities: a guide

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Affiliate in Focus: Slovene Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities

Slovene Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities

The coordinator of the program is the Anton Trstenjak Institute of Gerontology and Intergenerational Relations, which is the main research, development, counselling and end-user organization in this field in Slovenia. The population in Slovenia is evenly distributed into around 2 million residents. The percentage of residents older than 65 years is 17,7 %.

Slovenia began implementing the Age-Friendly Cities program in 2008. The basis for the creation of the program and of the Slovenian Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities was a research, following the Vancouver Protocol…

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Age-friendly Practice in Focus: IFA Global Conferences on Ageing

IFA Global Conferences on Ageing

The International Federation on Ageing’s (IFA) 16th Global Conference on Ageing is an Age-Friendly Practice that is set against the backdrop of important international agendas that align and intersect with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. The launch of the Decade prompted the IFA to publicly pledge to view all work streams, including this Conference, through the lens of the four action areas – combatting ageism, integrated care, long term care and age-friendly environments.

The 16th Global Conference on Ageing, like its predecessors, will provide opportunities to share knowledge, create opportunities for cross sector and cross disciplinary partnerships, and to communicate and drive policy change for older people, between the local and global levels. For many attendees the Conference will be the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began that they have had the opportunity to reconnect in person. Such prospects of engagement include the ongoing work of the Global Network for Ageing Friendly Cities and…

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Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, New Zealand, joins the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau) has adopted the Tāmaki Makaurau Tauawhi Kaumātua – Age-friendly Tāmaki Makaurau Action Plan and joined the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC). This is a major achievement for Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest city which is home to around one-third of all New Zealanders. By 2043, the city’s population is projected to increase from 1.57 to 2.3 million and the proportion of Aucklanders aged 65+ is expected to grow from 12 percent (189,000) to 19 percent (432,000). Tāmaki Makaurau is also one of the most diverse cities in the world: 44 percent of its older population were born overseas, 10 percent of older residents do not speak English, it has the country’s largest population of Māori (indigenous New Zealanders), and the world’s biggest Polynesian population.

Tāmaki Makaurau Tauawhi Kaumātua 2022-2027 recognises the city’s diversity, particularly the unique cultural identity of Māori. It integrates the WHO Age-friendly domains with Māori values and Te Whare Tapa Whā, a Māori holistic wellbeing framework. It reflects over three years of collaborative work between Auckland Council, the community, civil society and aged care organisations.

Four other Aotearoa New Zealand communities are also members: Nelson, Gore, Hamilton, and New Plymouth. Around 15 other communities have developed Age-friendly strategies and plans with the support of the Age-friendly Aotearoa New Zealand Programme. These plans are helping to give effect to the Better Later Life He Oranga Kaumātua 2019 to 2034 Strategy, Aotearoa New Zealand’s strategy for an ageing population.

To find out more, visit Tāmaki Makaurau’s profile page.

Age-friendly Environments Mentoring Programme (MENTOR-AFE)

Do you want to be more skilled at transforming your city or community to be a better place for people of all ages? The Age-friendly Environments Mentoring Programme (MENTOR-AFE) is a distance mentoring programme, established to develop skills to lead, influence and implement age-friendly cities and communities. Over a 12 month period, a mentor will provide guidance and support to enable a mentee to develop the specific skills they need to advance their work on age-friendly environments. Mentorship will be unique to the mentee’s development needs, the mentor’s skills, and the time and energy committed to the relationship.

Applications for the 2021 round of MENTOR-AFE have now closed. Applicants will be notified of their outcomes shortly.

To express your interest for future rounds of MENTOR-AFE, please email gnafcc@who.int.

MENTOR-AFE: Frequently Asked Questions

Cardiff: The first in Wales to join the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities

The capital city of Wales, Cardiff, is the first location in the country to join the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

Recognising older people as a respected and diverse population who should be enabled to participate in and contribute to all spheres of life is central to Cardiff’s age-friendly city action plan, which combines various strategies developed in consultation with older people. The plan includes commitments to older members of the population, relating to dimensions of life such as housing, transport, and participation in valued activities.

Age Friendly Wales: Our Strategy for an Ageing Society sets out actions the Welsh Government will take to reap the benefits of the growing number of older people in Wales. As an Affiliate of GNAFCC, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has been pleased to work with and support Cardiff in reaching this important milestone in its journey towards becoming an age-friendly city – an important step forward in the ambition of creating an age-friendly Wales.

Learn more about Cardiff on their profile page

Adding life to years

2018-02-02T09:45:33+00:00

Andreia Merícia Polido de Almeida

" We are one of the senior friendly city but we aim to go further than just obtaining the title as a charitable town. It’s more than a title, it’s a code that you assume, an indication that signals that the elder in the Municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa are given a very important status as a personal level because of their great human and social experience. They are the principal protagonists when it comes to transmit values that form our society. They represent the first-hand experienced passed that we need for our well-being and emotional equilibrium. They form the link that connects us to the world and all in it. They are the trustees of great knowledge that’s accumulated over the years.Experience and knowledge together with reflection and wit, terms that, in many cases, lack amongst men today, are fortunes that the elder possess and that we never should dismiss in any way because every time we do that society withdraws in its historical progress. "
2014-06-05T15:31:52+00:00
" We are one of the senior friendly city but we aim to go further than just obtaining the title as a charitable town. It’s more than a title, it’s a code that you assume, an indication that signals that the elder in the Municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa are given a very important status as a personal level because of their great human and social experience. They are the principal protagonists when it comes to transmit values that form our society. They represent the first-hand experienced passed that we need for our well-being and emotional equilibrium. They form the link that connects us to the world and all in it. They are the trustees of great knowledge that’s accumulated over the years.Experience and knowledge together with reflection and wit, terms that, in many cases, lack amongst men today, are fortunes that the elder possess and that we never should dismiss in any way because every time we do that society withdraws in its historical progress. "

Nuestro grano de arena a la Red Global de Ciudades Amigables con las personas mayores!

El Gobierno Local de Mora espera contribuir a la Red Global dando a conocer la experiencia en la gestión de un modelo local basado en la participación de las personas mayores, como sujetos de derechos y agentes activos del desarrollo.

A su vez,  en la generación de opciones para que esta población mantenga una calidad de vida digna. Donde se fomente la formación y educación permanente, los espacios de salud mental y de relación con pares.

Queremos aportar en la transformación de roles de la población adulta mayor, donde pasen de ser sujetos pasivos a sujetos autónomos!

Ana Victoria Madrigal Boza, Oficina de Bienestar Social y Familia, Área Desarrollo Humano y Cohesión Social, Municipalidad de Mora

2020-06-22T20:17:12+00:00

Ana Victoria Madrigal Boza, Oficina de Bienestar Social y Familia, Área Desarrollo Humano y Cohesión Social, Municipalidad de Mora

El Gobierno Local de Mora espera contribuir a la Red Global dando a conocer la experiencia en la gestión de un modelo local basado en la participación de las personas mayores, como sujetos de derechos y agentes activos del desarrollo. A su vez,  en la generación de opciones para que esta población mantenga una calidad de vida digna. Donde se fomente la formación y educación permanente, los espacios de salud mental y de relación con pares. Queremos aportar en la transformación de roles de la población adulta mayor, donde pasen de ser sujetos pasivos a sujetos autónomos!

Iain Deboys

The Age-friendly Belfast Plan highlights what we will do, how we will do it and the commitment of organisations to make Belfast a more Age-friendly city. We thank all the many contributors to the plan, especially the older people of Belfast who volunteered their time and offered their views and experiences.
2014-07-24T11:26:08+00:00
The Age-friendly Belfast Plan highlights what we will do, how we will do it and the commitment of organisations to make Belfast a more Age-friendly city. We thank all the many contributors to the plan, especially the older people of Belfast who volunteered their time and offered their views and experiences.

Anna-Kaisa Ikonen

Happiest senior citizens of the world live in Tampere in 2020.
2014-07-24T11:27:31+00:00
Happiest senior citizens of the world live in Tampere in 2020.

António Gonçalves Bragança Fernandes

"We want, through this recognition of Age-Friendly City, to continue that which has been for many decades the work of this Municipality. We know there is still a long way to go to correct some situations, but we cannot forget that a city such as Maia, with its history and dimension, implies the existence of a guideline for this work, a plan to be achieved and that will mean for right some more time. Having our people, especially the elderly, the center of our concerns, developing policies and answers specific to their needs is what drives us every day."
2014-06-18T14:16:14+00:00
"We want, through this recognition of Age-Friendly City, to continue that which has been for many decades the work of this Municipality. We know there is still a long way to go to correct some situations, but we cannot forget that a city such as Maia, with its history and dimension, implies the existence of a guideline for this work, a plan to be achieved and that will mean for right some more time. Having our people, especially the elderly, the center of our concerns, developing policies and answers specific to their needs is what drives us every day."

Ethel Percy Andrus

"This is a country where it is wonderful to be young. It must also become a country where it is wonderful to be old."
2014-06-18T14:20:39+00:00
"This is a country where it is wonderful to be young. It must also become a country where it is wonderful to be old."

Brenda Halloran

“I am so pleased to see the progress that this group of passionate citizens has made toward the goal of ensuring this city is inclusive and accessible to our older residents. We have achieved much since our first forum on age-friendliness in 2009, including the establishment of an advisory committee and culminating in our being named among the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities by the World Health Organization.”
2014-06-18T14:24:01+00:00
“I am so pleased to see the progress that this group of passionate citizens has made toward the goal of ensuring this city is inclusive and accessible to our older residents. We have achieved much since our first forum on age-friendliness in 2009, including the establishment of an advisory committee and culminating in our being named among the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities by the World Health Organization.”

DeAndre Windom

“Highland Park, the city that revolutionized the automobile industry and launched the middle class with Henry Ford’s assembly line and $5/day wage, is excited to participate in the Age Friendly Community Initiative, another innovative project that will change the world.”
2014-06-18T14:27:02+00:00
“Highland Park, the city that revolutionized the automobile industry and launched the middle class with Henry Ford’s assembly line and $5/day wage, is excited to participate in the Age Friendly Community Initiative, another innovative project that will change the world.”

Gwen Hassall

This gives us a positive focus for creating a City that is friendly and inclusive for all ages, and encourages us to consider the needs we all share, whatever our age. We look forward to working co-operatively across our departments and with the business, voluntary, statutory and regulatory sectors to improve quality of life for our older citizens.
2014-07-03T08:34:46+00:00
This gives us a positive focus for creating a City that is friendly and inclusive for all ages, and encourages us to consider the needs we all share, whatever our age. We look forward to working co-operatively across our departments and with the business, voluntary, statutory and regulatory sectors to improve quality of life for our older citizens.

Debbie Amaroso

"Not only does the Age-Friendly Communities approach address some of the challenges Sault Ste. Marie will experience from our ageing demographics, it offers the necessary skills, tools and future planning to bring a healthy and supportive life to all ages.
2014-06-18T14:36:09+00:00
"Not only does the Age-Friendly Communities approach address some of the challenges Sault Ste. Marie will experience from our ageing demographics, it offers the necessary skills, tools and future planning to bring a healthy and supportive life to all ages.

Deke Copenhaver

"As we continue to focus on making Augusta a more liveable city, this designation shows that we are making great progress and will undoubtedly help with recruiting new businesses and residents alike."
2014-06-18T14:42:25+00:00
"As we continue to focus on making Augusta a more liveable city, this designation shows that we are making great progress and will undoubtedly help with recruiting new businesses and residents alike."

Dorian Block

“In six years, we have transformed hundreds of NYC streets, swimming pools, retail businesses and community organizations into places that welcome older adults. We recently won “Best Existing Age-friendly Initiative in the World.” Yet, we have only scraped the surface of the change in practice, policy and attitude needed to become a city that embraces older people.”
2014-06-18T14:48:12+00:00
“In six years, we have transformed hundreds of NYC streets, swimming pools, retail businesses and community organizations into places that welcome older adults. We recently won “Best Existing Age-friendly Initiative in the World.” Yet, we have only scraped the surface of the change in practice, policy and attitude needed to become a city that embraces older people.”

Dr Jane Barratt

"The field of ageing holds so much promise to be a vehicle for social change and economic development."
2014-06-18T14:49:19+00:00
"The field of ageing holds so much promise to be a vehicle for social change and economic development."

Éliane Ciraud-Lanoue

"Royan has the desire to go further in public health and to promote active ageing. It is nowadays essential not to look seniors only by the prism of dependency and nursing homes. The current expectations of seniors are not the same as those of 40 years ago and we have a duty to adapt our view. Seniors are an asset for our city and our society, and especially if we manage to preserve their dynamism and their autonomy."
2014-06-18T14:51:54+00:00
"Royan has the desire to go further in public health and to promote active ageing. It is nowadays essential not to look seniors only by the prism of dependency and nursing homes. The current expectations of seniors are not the same as those of 40 years ago and we have a duty to adapt our view. Seniors are an asset for our city and our society, and especially if we manage to preserve their dynamism and their autonomy."

François Rebsamen

“We must build a society in which social bonds are strengthened, not only between people but also between generations, a society which brings citizens together and which refuses the isolation of individuals. All and every one of us must be given the opportunity to live freely their life project through their life course, up to their old age.”
2014-06-18T14:53:14+00:00
“We must build a society in which social bonds are strengthened, not only between people but also between generations, a society which brings citizens together and which refuses the isolation of individuals. All and every one of us must be given the opportunity to live freely their life project through their life course, up to their old age.”

Gulnara Minnigaleeva

"The age-friendly progress begins when people realize that the experience of the years already lived is to be treasured and relied on and that there is always room for new experiences, learning and joy; and when bottom-up initiatives meet top-down support."
2014-06-18T14:54:22+00:00
"The age-friendly progress begins when people realize that the experience of the years already lived is to be treasured and relied on and that there is always room for new experiences, learning and joy; and when bottom-up initiatives meet top-down support."

Hugo Luís Pereira Hilário

"In a rural inland county, Ponte de Sor asserts itself in the support of those whose spring of life has gone by, providing all the care they need."
2014-06-18T14:55:54+00:00
"In a rural inland county, Ponte de Sor asserts itself in the support of those whose spring of life has gone by, providing all the care they need."

Jason Kitkat

“We want to achieve real, tangible improvements for the quality of life of our older residents. The Age-Friendly Cities initiative gives us a clear way forward, and it also enables us to learn from the experiences and expertise of other cities that have the same goals.”
2014-06-18T14:59:21+00:00
“We want to achieve real, tangible improvements for the quality of life of our older residents. The Age-Friendly Cities initiative gives us a clear way forward, and it also enables us to learn from the experiences and expertise of other cities that have the same goals.”

Josep Visa Bonet

“The cross-generational dialogue arising from the Age-friendly City initiative is especially interesting for us, since we definitely believe it will contribute to different actions aimed at improving elderly people’s life quality as well as optimising resources. Therefore, following this conviction we joined in the project with no hesitation.”
2014-06-18T15:00:38+00:00
“The cross-generational dialogue arising from the Age-friendly City initiative is especially interesting for us, since we definitely believe it will contribute to different actions aimed at improving elderly people’s life quality as well as optimising resources. Therefore, following this conviction we joined in the project with no hesitation.”

Kathi Bailey

“Yarmouth - A great place to Age - for a day or a lifetime!”
2014-06-18T15:01:41+00:00
“Yarmouth - A great place to Age - for a day or a lifetime!”

Adam Ogilvie

“We want Leeds to become age-friendly in order to help meet the increasing challenges posed by demographic change. We want to celebrate and respond positively to the increasing number of older people living in Leeds and we think the best way to do that is by including and involving older people in all areas of life in our city. Older people in Leeds already make an invaluable contribution to the life of our city, but by valuing them, working holistically and enabling them to be independent and to participate in community activities; we hope to harness that contribution to help improve the quality of life on offer to all older people in Leeds.”
2014-06-18T15:02:35+00:00
“We want Leeds to become age-friendly in order to help meet the increasing challenges posed by demographic change. We want to celebrate and respond positively to the increasing number of older people living in Leeds and we think the best way to do that is by including and involving older people in all areas of life in our city. Older people in Leeds already make an invaluable contribution to the life of our city, but by valuing them, working holistically and enabling them to be independent and to participate in community activities; we hope to harness that contribution to help improve the quality of life on offer to all older people in Leeds.”

London, Canada Community

"An age-friendly London is a diverse, vibrant, caring and healthy community, which empowers all individuals to age well and have opportunities to achieve their full potential."
2014-06-18T15:37:12+00:00
"An age-friendly London is a diverse, vibrant, caring and healthy community, which empowers all individuals to age well and have opportunities to achieve their full potential."

Ray Withy

“The concept of continuing to create a City that works for all of its residents is of utmost importance to me as the Mayor of Sausalito. As a Council, we recognize that whatever we are able to simplify and improve for the oldest members in our community will benefit our youngest members as well.”
2014-06-18T15:39:07+00:00
“The concept of continuing to create a City that works for all of its residents is of utmost importance to me as the Mayor of Sausalito. As a Council, we recognize that whatever we are able to simplify and improve for the oldest members in our community will benefit our youngest members as well.”

Robert Reichert

"My vision for Macon-Bibb is a more cohesive community that attracts opportunities, enhances the quality of life, promotes pride, and inspires hope."
2014-06-18T15:39:42+00:00
"My vision for Macon-Bibb is a more cohesive community that attracts opportunities, enhances the quality of life, promotes pride, and inspires hope."

Roger Sigouin

“Seniors play a most significant role in the Hearst community with their vast knowledge, expertise and know-how that they use to help the younger generation and the time that they devote to improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens.”
2014-06-18T15:40:33+00:00
“Seniors play a most significant role in the Hearst community with their vast knowledge, expertise and know-how that they use to help the younger generation and the time that they devote to improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens.”

Senarath Attanayake

“Creating an inclusive society for the elderly and persons living with disabilities should be among our top priorities.”
2014-06-18T15:41:53+00:00
“Creating an inclusive society for the elderly and persons living with disabilities should be among our top priorities.”

Shane Rattenbury

“The key challenge we face is in catering for the changing needs of our older population and in creating accessible and inclusive environments that value older people, support their active participation and enable them to lead lives of quality and dignity. At the heart of the matter, we are talking about a sense of place, and a sense of belonging. Australia’s increasing longevity is something to prepare for, and at the same time, something undoubtedly to celebrate. In building more age-friendly cities and communities, we can work together to do both.”
2014-06-18T15:42:41+00:00
“The key challenge we face is in catering for the changing needs of our older population and in creating accessible and inclusive environments that value older people, support their active participation and enable them to lead lives of quality and dignity. At the heart of the matter, we are talking about a sense of place, and a sense of belonging. Australia’s increasing longevity is something to prepare for, and at the same time, something undoubtedly to celebrate. In building more age-friendly cities and communities, we can work together to do both.”

Umit Uysal

“Our elders, who are our ancestors, were the main workers of today’s Turkish Republic’s establishment and they are our roots. Therefore, they have been always precious and we have been holding them in high honour. We are sure that, this network will be a great asset and will make us closer to the other members. Our aim is, by maintaining common knowledge, information sharing and collaborative international project involvement, to make our elders live happily. We claim our elders and our memories and ask for your support from our heart and soul. As James A. Garfield says; “Wrinkles are not in our hearts, they appear only on our faces, because human soul is ageless.”
2014-06-18T15:48:31+00:00
“Our elders, who are our ancestors, were the main workers of today’s Turkish Republic’s establishment and they are our roots. Therefore, they have been always precious and we have been holding them in high honour. We are sure that, this network will be a great asset and will make us closer to the other members. Our aim is, by maintaining common knowledge, information sharing and collaborative international project involvement, to make our elders live happily. We claim our elders and our memories and ask for your support from our heart and soul. As James A. Garfield says; “Wrinkles are not in our hearts, they appear only on our faces, because human soul is ageless.”

Vincent C. Gray

"Older DC residents love where they live and want to stay put. Utilizing our partnerships with residents and organizations in the private sector, including AARP and George Washington University, we want DC to be recognized as the best place to live regardless of age. I anticipate that this new Age-Friendly DC Task Force will listen carefully and present ideas that, when asked in 2017, DC residents will say that staying healthy has become less challenging, life is more fulfilling and getting out and about is easier.”
2014-06-18T15:49:09+00:00
"Older DC residents love where they live and want to stay put. Utilizing our partnerships with residents and organizations in the private sector, including AARP and George Washington University, we want DC to be recognized as the best place to live regardless of age. I anticipate that this new Age-Friendly DC Task Force will listen carefully and present ideas that, when asked in 2017, DC residents will say that staying healthy has become less challenging, life is more fulfilling and getting out and about is easier.”

Zoran Janković

“I am convinced that a city friendly to the elderly, disabled and children is a friendly place for everyone. Therefore, the City of Ljubljana, together with its public institutions and enterprises, has been putting a lot of effort into ensuring the conditions that would allow a healthy, active, and thus quality life for our senior citizens.”
2014-06-18T15:50:51+00:00
“I am convinced that a city friendly to the elderly, disabled and children is a friendly place for everyone. Therefore, the City of Ljubljana, together with its public institutions and enterprises, has been putting a lot of effort into ensuring the conditions that would allow a healthy, active, and thus quality life for our senior citizens.”

Alexander Kalache

“Los niños de ayer son los adultos de hoy, las personas mayores de mañana.”
2014-06-04T13:59:42+00:00
“Los niños de ayer son los adultos de hoy, las personas mayores de mañana.”

Ana Umbelino

" Torres Vedras, made by the citizens and for all citizens! Developing policies that promote active and healthy ageing has been a priority in our political agenda and influences our vision and all the planning process we have been pursing. We believe that is crucial to create opportunities that enable senior citizens to make part of the community contributing to its enrichment. Their skills and Knowledge are valuable. We can not dismiss that! Pursing that goal, we have design several programs in as universal and target-specific fashion. All of then rest in a common ground: bring different generations together; create life-learning opportunities; promote volunteering and social participation; stimulating social relations; develop physical and cognitive activities; ensure access to health and culture and obviously supporting those which have special needs. We also have designed programs directed to informal and professional caregivers in order to empower them, contributing to a better performance towards the ones they care: the elderly. "
2014-06-04T13:51:59+00:00
" Torres Vedras, made by the citizens and for all citizens! Developing policies that promote active and healthy ageing has been a priority in our political agenda and influences our vision and all the planning process we have been pursing. We believe that is crucial to create opportunities that enable senior citizens to make part of the community contributing to its enrichment. Their skills and Knowledge are valuable. We can not dismiss that! Pursing that goal, we have design several programs in as universal and target-specific fashion. All of then rest in a common ground: bring different generations together; create life-learning opportunities; promote volunteering and social participation; stimulating social relations; develop physical and cognitive activities; ensure access to health and culture and obviously supporting those which have special needs. We also have designed programs directed to informal and professional caregivers in order to empower them, contributing to a better performance towards the ones they care: the elderly. "