May 2023
Dr. Linda P. Fried, the Director of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and the Dean of the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, delivered an Expert Reflection at the event titled "The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing: Health for All by Adding Life to Years." She spoke in her capacity as the Co-chair of the US National Academy of Medicine’s Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity Commission.
The event took place on May 23, 2023, in Geneva, with both in-person and online attendance, attracting a large global audience.
The purpose of the event was to provide a platform for Member States to engage in an open dialogue on maximizing the opportunities presented by longevity during the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing. Participants had the opportunity to hear from Member States such as Singapore, Botswana, Kuwait, Costa Rica, and Slovenia, who shared insights on their investments in healthy ageing, the returns on investment they are witnessing, and how they are utilizing new resources and evidence to implement the UN Decade. The discussion also included reflections from the World Health Organization and the United States National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Etienne Krug, the Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health at the WHO, delivered the welcome greetings. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, and Dr. Victor J. Dzau, the President of the US National Academy of Medicine (pre-recorded), presented introductory remarks.
Mr. Ong Ye Kung, the Minister of Health of Singapore, chaired the session, which featured the following panelists:
- H.E. Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore (Chair)
- H.E. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness, Botswana
- H.E. Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Alwadhi, Minister for Health, Kuwait
- H.E. Dr. Alexei Carillo Villegas, Vice Minister for Health, Costa Rica
- H.E. Dr. Vesna Kerstin Petrič, Director-General, Public Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Slovenia
Throughout the event, there was an emphasis on the notion that “while we have succeeded in adding years to life (extending lifespan), we must now focus on adding life to years (extending the number of years lived in good health).” The panelists highlighted that investments in healthy aging not only benefit the health sector but also have positive impacts on other sectors such as work, the economy, education, and more. Furthermore, they stressed that such investments would improve the health and well-being of current and future generations of older people.
During her Expert Reflection, Dr. Linda P. Fried, who serves as the Co-chair of the Global Roadmap for Healthy Longevity Commission at the US National Academy of Medicine, posed the question, “How do we, as a global community, comprehend the longer lifespan with its benefits and challenges?” Quoting the conclusion of the National Academy of Medicine study, she commented on the tremendous benefits for both older and younger generations. However, she also highlighted the enormous challenges and the high cost of inaction. Dr. Fried emphasized that generating substantial social and economic benefits for all age groups from the extended lifespan would necessitate transformative efforts in every sector of society, as well as collaboration among all sectors and countries.
Authors: Peri Osako, ILC Global Alliance volunteer, with MMO
Photo: The World Health Assembly side event website
Let the elderly be included, they matter
"Let the elderly be included, they matter" is the message that Tineke Abma would like to convey. On Friday, June 23, she delivered her inaugural lecture 'The Art of Belonging' following her appointment as professor of Elderly Participation at the University of Leiden, the Netherlands. This is a brief summary of her inaugural speech.
23 June 2023
ILCs reunited at the IFA’s 16th Global Conference on Ageing in Bangkok
Members of the ILC Global Alliance got together at the IFA’s 16th Global Conference on Ageing in Bangkok, Thailand, last June. Representatives of ILCs from Canada, Singapore, United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia, as well as ILC GA Secretariat Silvia Perel-Levin, attended the conference.
June 2023
ILC Canada's Ovide Mercredi delivers speech at the Townhall meeting of UN High Level Political Forum
In the forum moderated by HLPF Chair Lachezara Stoeva, President, UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Ovide Mercredi and other participants discussed the effective and inclusive recovery measures to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explore actionable policy guidance for the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs at all levels. Speaking as an older Cree man, who has spent his adult life fighting for the rights of First Nations people, Ovide challenged Member States to commit to real change by addressing the SDG goals in a comprehensive manner.
10 July 2023
