The International Federation on Ageing’s (IFA) 17th Global Conference on Ageing brings together thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to drive action on ageing.Join us for an insightful and impactful event dedicated to exploring the diverse dimensions of ageing and its implications on society. As the world’s population continues to age, it’s imperative that we come together to address the challenges and opportunities associated with this demographic shift. Our conference features thought-provoking keynote addresses, inspiring symposiums, skill-building workshops, interactive oral and poster sessions and most importantly the voices of older people from around the globe.
The 17th Global Conference an Ageing is built on a unique partnership between the IFA and North-West University and convened 27 years since the 3rd IFA Conference in Durban, South Africa and some 20 years since the establishment of the South African Care Forum. For more than three decades the IFA Global Conferences on Ageing have attracted delegates from government, NGOs, industry, academia and across all fields of public health for powerful conversations that fuel action to improve the quality of life as part of protecting and advancing of the rights and dignities of older persons.
It is timely to return to the African continent as their young population start to embrace the future. Today there are some 75 million people in Africa aged 60 years and over, and this will quadruple to around 235 million by 2050. The rise in the number of older people in Africa, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa, will be sharper than for any other region and age group in the world. In Africa, older people hold profound cultural significance as repositories of wisdom, tradition, and community cohesion. Their invaluable knowledge, passed down through generations, serves as a guiding light in decision-making, conflict resolution, and preserving cultural heritage. They serve as mentors, imparting essential life skills and moral values to younger generations. Their revered status embodies the interconnectedness of past, present, and future, enriching African societies with a deep sense of identity and respect for older persons. Through shared insights, innovative research, and best practices, this forum aims to facilitate the co-creation of strategies and solutions to address the multifaceted challenges of ageing. By uniting efforts, the conference embodies a commitment to fostering societies that honor the dignity and rights of people of all ages including older adults, promoting global solidarity and progress in healthy ageing.