WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities
The WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities was established in 2010 to connect cities, communities and organisations worldwide with the common vision of making communities great places in which to grow older. As a response to global population ageing and rapid urbanisation, it focuses on action at the local level that fosters the full participation of older people in community life and promotes healthy and active ageing.
The mission of the Network is to stimulate and enable cities and communities around the world to become increasingly age-friendly. The Network seeks to do this by:
- inspiring change by showing what can be done and how it can be done;
- connecting cities and communities worldwide to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and experience; and
- supporting cities and communities to find appropriate innovative and evidence-based solutions.
Membership to the Network is not an accreditation for age-friendliness. Rather, it reflects a city or community commitment to listen to the needs of their ageing population, assess and monitor their age-friendliness and work collaboratively with older people and across sectors to create age-friendly physical and social environments. Membership is also a commitment to share experience, achievements and lessons learnt with other cities and communities.
The WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities currently includes 1356 cities and communities in 44 countries, covering over 262 million people worldwide.
The Commissioner is recognised as an Affiliate of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and works to promote age-friendly progress at the local, regional, national and international levels.
We advocate for the work of the Global Network here in Wales, seek to advance knowledge and action on age-friendly environments, and serve as a catalyst at the national and regional level by promoting the age-friendly approach.
We also provide guidance and support to local authority-led partnerships who wish to become members of the Global Network.
To find out more, contact the team on 02920 445 030 or email ageingwell@olderpeoplewales.com.