International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics

The International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) is an international, non-governmental professional organization representing societies involved in the study of ageing and the care of older people. Its work connects gerontology—the multidisciplinary study of ageing—with geriatrics, the medical specialty concerned with health and illness in later life. Rather than operating as a commercial brand, IAGG functions as a federation and coordinating platform for national and regional organizations, researchers, educators, students, and practitioners. The organization was established in July 1950 in Liège, Belgium, originally under the name International Association of Gerontological Societies. It was formed as an association of organizations engaged in gerontological research and training. Over time, the body adopted the name International Association of Gerontology and later its current name, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics, reflecting the breadth of its disciplinary and clinical scope. IAGG's principal role is to strengthen international cooperation in ageing research and professional education. It represents member societies internationally, encourages the exchange of scientific knowledge, supports training and capacity development, and provides a collective voice on issues affecting ageing populations. Its subject matter spans biological, medical, psychological, social, economic, demographic, and policy dimensions of ageing. The association therefore serves a broad professional constituency rather than a single medical or academic discipline. The organization is structured around five major world regions: Africa; Asia and Oceania; Europe; North America; and South America and the Caribbean. Reference material has described IAGG as representing 84 national societies in 72 countries, with a combined membership exceeding 50,000 professionals and students. Earlier reported figures indicated member societies in 64 countries and combined membership of more than 45,100 professionals, illustrating the association's expanding represented network over time. IAGG's program portfolio includes the Global Ageing Research Network, the Global Social Initiative on Ageing, the World Academy on Ageing, and the Council of Student Organizations. These initiatives address research collaboration, social and policy dimensions of population ageing, advanced educational engagement, and the participation of emerging professionals. The association also works with major international institutions, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization, on ageing-related questions. Its international policy role is reinforced by consultative relationships with the United Nations. IAGG has held category III non-governmental organization status with the UN since 1978. In 2009, it received special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, enabling it to submit written and oral contributions within the relevant consultative framework. It has also been a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations since 1985. IAGG's positioning is consequently that of a global convening and representation body for ageing science and practice. Its value lies in connecting national organizations, supporting the circulation of knowledge, and bringing professional expertise into international discussions about demographic change, older people's health, and the social implications of ageing. Public reference material does not establish a commercial ownership structure, stock-market listing, or product business for the association.

The organization was founded in July 1950 in Liège, Belgium, as the International Association of Gerontological Societies. Its original purpose was to bring together organizations engaged in gerontological research and training. This founding structure distinguished it from a single-country professional body: the association was conceived as an international federation whose members were themselves societies and organizations concerned with ageing. The association subsequently changed its name to the International Association of Gerontology and later adopted the name International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics. The successive names reflect an evolution from a general federation of gerontological societies toward a body representing both the wider science of ageing and the clinical field of geriatrics. The organization has continued to operate as a non-governmental umbrella association rather than as a commercial enterprise. IAGG developed a regional structure covering Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America and the Caribbean. Through this arrangement, national and regional organizations can participate in an international network while retaining their own institutional identities. Reference material has reported representation of 84 national societies across 72 countries, with the combined membership of those societies exceeding 50,000 professionals and students. A 2009 account recorded societies in 64 countries and more than 45,100 professionals, providing an earlier measure of the association's reach. The association's activities have included promotion of gerontological research, professional education, and training. Its programs include the Global Ageing Research Network, the Global Social Initiative on Ageing, the World Academy on Ageing, and the Council of Student Organizations. Together, these programs address research collaboration, social and policy questions associated with ageing, advanced learning, and student or early-career participation. The available reference material does not provide a complete chronology of the launch dates or governance history of these programs. IAGG also developed an international institutional role through relationships with the United Nations and the World Health Organization. It has held category III NGO status with the United Nations since 1978. In 1985, it became a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. In 2009, it received special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, allowing it to make written and oral contributions within the applicable UN framework. Its listed collaborative relationships include the UN Programme on Ageing, the UN Development Programme, the UN Population Fund, and the World Health Organization's ageing and life-course program. These developments established IAGG as a connector between professional societies and international policy institutions. Its historical contribution has been organizational and intellectual: it has helped give ageing research and geriatrics a multinational platform, encouraged communication among specialists, and represented professional interests in discussions concerning global population ageing. The supplied sources do not establish a current headquarters, named founder, current officers, or a detailed account of individual congresses and publications.

• 2009

  Receives special ECOSOC consultative status

  [1]International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org

  The association was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, enabling written and oral contributions.

• 1985

  Joins the UN NGO conference network

  [1]International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org

  IAGG became a member of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations.

• 1978

  United Nations NGO consultative relationship

  [1]International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org

  IAGG obtained category III non-governmental organization status with the United Nations.

• 1950

  Founding in Liège

  [1]International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org

  The International Association of Gerontological Societies was established in Liège, Belgium, as an association of organizations involved in gerontological research and training.

• Name changes to reflect broader scope

  [1]International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org

  The organization later became known first as the International Association of Gerontology and then as the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics.

A global umbrella association for organizations and professionals working in gerontology and geriatrics, combining research coordination, education, professional representation, and international ageing-policy engagement.

• Research network

  Global Ageing Research Network

  A program associated with IAGG that supports international connections around ageing research. The supplied reference identifies it as part of the association's program portfolio, but does not provide detailed information about its governance, membership process, or specific outputs.

• Social ageing initiative

  Global Social Initiative on Ageing

  An IAGG program focused on the social and broader societal dimensions of ageing. Public reference material lists it among the association's initiatives but does not specify a complete program history or current activities.

• Education and professional development

  World Academy on Ageing

  An educational initiative listed within the IAGG program structure. It represents the association's interest in advanced learning and professional development in ageing-related fields; detailed course, faculty, and delivery information is not provided in the supplied sources.

• Student organization network

  Council of Student Organizations

  A program designed to connect or represent student organizations within the ageing field. Its inclusion in IAGG's portfolio indicates an emphasis on developing the next generation of gerontology and geriatrics professionals, although detailed activities are not specified.

• 2009

  Strengthens formal participation in UN processesStrategy

  Background

  IAGG had maintained a relationship with the United Nations through NGO status and related networks, and ageing issues required international professional input.

  Action taken

  The association obtained special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, permitting written and oral contributions under the consultative framework.

  Aftermath

  The status gave IAGG a more formal channel for representing gerontology and geriatrics expertise in relevant international discussions.

  Source

1. 1International Association of Gerontology and Geriatricsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics official websiteiagg.info