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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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)

12. 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

14. For more information
WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities
Global Age-friendly Cities: A guide
WHO Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities

15. 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 address for the Network: