In June of this year Dr. John Beard, Director of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Department on Aging and Life Courses, announced the launch of the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities.
Research from 33 cities, confirmed the importance for older people of access to public transport, outdoor spaces and buildings, as well as the need for appropriate housing, community support and health services and the need to foster the connections that allow older people to be active participants in society, to overcome ageism and to provide greater opportunities for civic participation and employment.
This is aligned with the vision of AgeEsteem of “a society where people of all ages are respected as contributing members of society”. I was privileged to meet with Dr. Beard following my talk on Age Esteem at the WHO headquarters in Geneva last month to discuss our common concerns around issues of aging. Very energizing and encouraging.
Bonnie Fatio
Bonnie Announcements, Life Stages - Ages age-esteem, AgeEsteem, ageism, Bonnie Fatio, Department on Aging and Life Courses, Dr. John Beard, Global Network of Age-friendly cities, WHO, World Health Organization
Bonnie Fatio, founder of AgeEsteem, will speak at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland on Does Age Matter? on September 7.
Age is important to the work of the WHO. In 2007 WHO created the Department of Ageing and Life Course (ACL). ACL focuses on helping people to realize their potential for physical, social, and mental well-being throughout the life course and to participate in society, while providing them with adequate protection, security and care when they need it.
AgeEsteem is aligned with the WHO in its focus to help people to realize their potential. Age esteem is an essential element to remaining healthy and reaching your potential as you age no matter where on our globe you live.
Bonnie Announcements ACL, age-esteem, AgeEsteem, Bonnie Fatio, Department of Ageing and Life Course, Does Age Matter, help people realize their potential, WHO, World Health Organization
This year’s World Health Day is focused on making cities healthier.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) states, « There are solutions. Urban planning can promote healthy behaviours and safety through investment in active transport, designing areas to promote physical activity and passing regulatory controls on tobacco and food safety. Improving urban living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks. Building inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly will benefit all urban residents.
Such actions do not necessarily require additional funding, but commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions, thereby achieving greater efficiency. »
Bonnie Holidays accessible, age-friendly, physical activity, WHO, World Health Day, World Health Organization
“Ageing is a development issue. Healthy older persons are a resource for their families, their communities and the economy.” WHO Brasilia declaration on healthy aging, 1996.
Older people increasingly play a critical role – through volunteer work, transmitting experience and knowledge, helping their families with caring responsibilities and increasing their participation in the paid labor force.
This is the 10th anniversary of Older People’s Day being celebrated by the United Nations and many countries of the world. Let us salute the older people who are doing so much to make this world a better place.
Bonnie In The News, Life Stages - Ages critical role, Older People's Day, United Nations, WHO
