Year started: 2018

Our vision is “a society where every person is valued, connected and respected regardless of age”. We will achieve this by working in our communities to positively change thinking about ageing, to re-imagine getting older and to set the foundations for current and future generations to age well. We began in October 2018 with a strong foundation of 20 members including The Benevolent Society, the Australian Human Rights Commission, COTA Australia, National Seniors, Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia; Regional Australia Institute; the Australian Association of Gerontology and Aged and Community Services Australia. It has since grown to include many diverse organisational members and individuals. We have all accepted and agreed to act upon the campaign pledge at https://www.everyagecounts.org.au/take_the_pledge. EveryAGE Counts is spearheaded by The Benevolent Society. Funding is received from The Benevolent Society and a philanthropic grant through the Wicking Foundation.

Objectives

EveryAGE Counts is building a national coalition and an active broad-based social movement to: 1. positively change social norms and discourse on ageing 2. mobilise a holistic political response to the opportunities presented by our ageing population and 3. reframe getting older. Long term outcomes are: a. positive social norms about ageing and older people including increased intergenerational contact b. increased participation in employment, community and civic life c. reduced levels of discrimination d. diverse and accurate representations of older people in media and public discourse e. access to appropriate good and services that support well being

Scope

Our initial target group is older people but over time we want to engage all members of the community as ageism impacts across the life course.