Summary
Highlighting the importance of older persons as a cross-cutting topic, in 2020 the World Summit on the Information Society Forum, for the first time, has dedicated a special track to older persons and information and communication technologies (ICTs), in collaboration with the ITU, WHO, UNDESA, the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) and other stakeholders. After 2 successful editions in 2021 and 2022 where more than 550 participants engaged in series of workshops in topics including remote care and AI, age-friendly environments, digital skills for older adults, digital financing, and protection of older persons online; The special track continues in 2023, highlighting the role of ICTs in enabling healthy ageing and active participation of older persons in the digital economy and society.
Planning and Implementation
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What was the challenge you were trying to address?
Digital inclusion of older persons, the importance of participation of older persons actively in political processes, promotion of stakeholders who are developing activities and programmes addressed to older persons, sharing best practices among stakeholders.
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Who were you trying to impact?
Older people in general
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What sectors were you targeting?
Education, Health, Information and Communication, Long-term care, Transportation
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Who else was involved?
Civil Society Organization, Private Sector
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How did older people participate?
Older people were part of the process at multiple or all stages
Lessons learned
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Please describe how collaboration worked in your initiative.
WSIS ICT and Older Person's activities have been added to the recalling section of the draft UNGA resolution A/C.3/77/L.10/REV.1 entitled “Follow-up to the Second World Assembly on Ageing” adopted yesterday. PP13. Recalling also the World Summit on the Information Society and its outcomes, including its special track on ICTs and Older Persons, as well as other relevant intergovernmentally agreed outcomes, A great result for the multistakeholder collaboration between ITU, WHO, UNDESA and GCOA, provided by the WSIS Platform.
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What was the impact of your initiative on older people, their families, and/or their communities?
The theme of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) for 2022 focused on “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”, reflecting a defining demographic trend of the 21st century. ITU marked the day with a High-Level Panel on 17 May 2022, focusing on the role of telecommunications and Information communication technologies (ICTs) in achieving healthier ageing.
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What issues did you face, and how did you address them?
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What lessons did you learn from implementing this initiative?
Collaboration and having a multistakeholder approach is key for the success of the WSIS activities.
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Do you have any other reflections you would like to share?
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