The Global Social Initiative on Ageing

Photograph of an elderly woman holding a baby

In all world regions, proportions of older adults are increasing. Yet often they are invisible in the face of global challenges such as climate change, economic recessions, and transnational migration. The Global Social Initiative on Ageing will address the impact of these trends in 3 main areas: Families, Liveability and Care. Issues to be addressed include the quality of life of older adults left behind by outmigration of young people; the ability of families to sustain intergenerational support in the face of poverty, pandemics, and changing family structures and beliefs; and the caring relationships of older people.

The GSIA welcomes collaboration with other global networks of scholars, and will be working to engage all those committed both to improving understanding of population ageing through social scientific inquiry and to sharing the knowledge which emerges with all who shape policies designed to create a society for all ages. With funding from the WUN, a strategic planning meeting of the GSIA recently was held at the University of Alberta. Senior social scientists from all world regions came together to launch the GSIA, and to create an international research agenda and implementation plan.

The GSIA is a core activity of The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, an organization of more than 70 countries with 45,000 members. Under the auspices of the IAGG, The GSIA will coordinate working groups, engage new scholars through the International Council of Gerontology Student Organizations, and sponsor presidential symposia related to GSIA priorities. New opportunities for knowledge transformation of GSIA activities will be a feature of the world congress on ‘Digital Ageing’ to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2013.

The GSIA brings together 13 social scientists who are known for their critical reflections on global trends such as transnational migration patterns, and regional issues such as the impact on older adults of government policies such as China’s ‘one child’ policy:

  • Norah Keating, University of Alberta, Canada (GSIA Director)
  • Isabella Aboderin, Oxford University, UK and Kenya
  • Hueng Bong Cha: Former Minister of Heath and Welfare, Government of Korea; IAGG president-elect
  • Peng Du, Renmin University, China
  • Xiao Tian Feng, Nanjing University, China
  • Monica Ferreira, University of Cape Town, South Africa
  • Gyounghae Han, Seoul National University, Korea
  • Hal Kendig, University of Sydney, Australia
  • Ariela Lowenstein, Haifa University, Israel
  • Anita Liberalesso Neri, State University of Campinas, Brazil
  • Judith Phillips, Swansea University, Wales
  • Merril Silverstein, University of Southern California, Davis, United States
  • Sue Yeandle, University of Leeds, UK

The involvement of early career scholars ensures a generational mix and links to the broad network of students within the IAGG. The excitement of the GSIA for those of us who are the architects comes from the potential for this high-profile initiative to influence the lives of millions of older adults around the world.

The GSIA is building its global list of social scientists interested in these social issues in ageing. To join the GSIA network, contact Constance de Seynes, IAGG Executive Board Officer, at seynes@cict.fr.

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