World Health Organization 17 July 2018 A Brief Overview and Update on the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNFACC)

Why age-friendly environments? Our vision is a world in which people, everywhere, enjoy the highest attainable level of physical, mental and social well-being across the life course → create social and physical environments that foster participation and health across the life course, including in older age

What is an age-friendly city? "An age-friendly city encourages active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age" Adaptation of structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities

Background WHO Global Age-friendly Cities Project Consultations with older persons, caregivers and service providers in 33 cities across 22 countries Bottom-up participatory approach involving older people Eight topics explored to give a comprehensive picture of a city’s age-friendliness

Different domains of city life Check lists for each of these areas that provide guidance for self-assessment

Global Age-friendly Cities: A Guide WHO Guide outlines a framework for assessing the age- friendliness of a city WHO Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities

WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities WHO Network launched in June 2010 Members currently spread across 17 countries 9 affiliated programmes at national/regional level Currently 49 Cities affiliated directly and hundreds more have started to engage in age-friendly projects through affiliated programmes

Network Cycle of Continual Improvement External Review External Review Years 1- 2 Years 3- 5 1. Joining the network - Develop a mechanism to involve older people - Conduct baseline assessment of age-friendliness - Develop action plan - Identify indicators to monitor progress over time 3. Evaluate progress & continual improvement - Measure progress - Identify successes and remaining gaps - Develop new action plan 2. Implementation - Implement action plan - Monitor indicators - Report on progress

Goals of the Network Connect cities and communities that share the commitment to improve the quality of life of their older populations Facilitate the exchange of information and good practice inspire, share innovative solutions and stimulate thinking and research on age-friendly cities Promote mutual support between members

Affiliated Programmes World Health Organization Affiliated Programmes 17 July 2018 Country Programme Name Canada Pan Canadian AFC Recognition Initiative Quebec France Bien vieillir – vivre ensemble Ireland Ageing Well Network Portugal Portuguese Platform Russian Federation Bashkortostan Slovenia Slovene Network of Age-friendly Cities Spain Spanish National AFC Programme United States AARP Network of Age-friendly Communities

Role of Affiliated Programmes/Networks Promote age-friendly cities approach at the regional / national level and facilitate membership in WHO Global Network Provide a national/local rather than global perspective for members (same policy / cultural context) Support (financial/information/guidance) Accessibility (same language / opportunities to meet in person)

Network Development GNAFCC Outreach Membership Engagement Strengthen relationships and exchange among Network Members Connect to programmes and organisations working in the field of ageing / urban planning / health and social inclusion "Spread the word" in countries and regions that are not yet represented Regular contact with members to ensure that activities are relevant Develop mentoring and peer review schemes GNAFCC Communication Capacity-Building Build Knowledge & Capacity across the Network Revise & develop tools and training materials Provide technical support and training Develop Knowledge Bank Develop new ePortal to foster information exchange in the Network Host Communities of Practice

For more information WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities http://www.who.int/ageing/age_friendly_cities_network/en/index.html Global Age-friendly Cities: A guide http://www.who.int/ageing/age_friendly_cities_guide/en/ WHO Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities http://www.who.int/ageing/publications/Age_friendly_cities_checklist.pdf

Thank you for your attention! Contact: Lisa Warth Project Manager, Age-friendly Cities and Communities Department of Ageing and Life Course World Health Organization (WHO) New email address for the Network: gnafcc@who.in