International Federation on Ageing

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is an international nongovernmental organization focused on the social, economic, health, and human-rights dimensions of population ageing. Based in Toronto, Canada, it brings together civil-society organizations, governments, academic institutions, businesses, professionals, and individuals concerned with the lives of older people. Its work is directed toward improving the quality of life of people as they age by gathering, analyzing, sharing, and applying information on rights, public policy, services, and practical approaches to ageing. The organization emerged from growing international attention to ageing in the early 1970s. In 1972, representatives from 13 countries met at the London School of Economics at the initiative of AARP to explore the creation of an international body that could support information exchange and cooperation on ageing. A constitution and bylaws were formally approved at a follow-up meeting in December 1973, establishing the International Federation on Ageing. A major early area of influence was international policy development. During the early 1980s, the IFA was among the organizations advocating for a United Nations World Assembly on Ageing. The assembly was held in 1982 and produced the first International Plan of Action on Ageing. William Kerrigan, who was then the IFA's general secretary, served as secretary-general of the assembly. This involvement helped position the federation as a bridge between specialist organizations, governments, and the United Nations system. The IFA's policy work includes combating ageism, promoting the participation and independence of older people, supporting dignified care, and encouraging age-responsive health and social systems. It has also worked on the recognition of older people's rights and responsibilities, including through its 1990 Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Older Persons and the Montreal Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Older People produced at its 1999 global conference. The federation has extensive international institutional relationships. Since 1995 it has held general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, a status reserved for nongovernmental organizations considered broadly representative and capable of making sustained contributions to the UN's work. The IFA also has official relations with the World Health Organization and has worked with UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, and other international and regional bodies. These relationships allow it to participate in relevant meetings, submit policy input, and contribute to discussions concerning ageing, health, rights, and development. The organization convenes a biennial Global Conference on Ageing, bringing together international participants to discuss evidence, policy, and practice. It also distributes electronic news and produces or supports reports concerning ageing-related policy and implementation. Its role is best understood as an international policy, knowledge, and convening organization rather than a consumer-facing product brand. The IFA remains active from its Toronto headquarters, with a global orientation and an emphasis on translating research and international commitments into better outcomes for older people.

International interest in population ageing expanded during the early 1970s as governments and international institutions began to recognize the policy implications of longer lives and changing age structures. A need was identified for an organization that could connect national and regional groups, share information across borders, and bring ageing issues into international policy discussions. In the summer of 1972, an AARP-supported meeting at the London School of Economics brought together 20 representatives from 13 countries to discuss such an organization. At a second meeting in December 1973, participants approved a constitution and bylaws, formally establishing the International Federation on Ageing. In its early years, the federation operated with substantial support from AARP. Its secretariat was located largely at AARP headquarters, although it had temporary periods in the United Kingdom and Australia. The IFA developed as a membership and cooperation network rather than as a commercial enterprise, seeking to connect nongovernmental organizations, public authorities, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders working on older people's issues. The organization became involved in one of the most important early international policy processes concerning ageing. In the early 1980s, it was among the first organizations to call for a United Nations World Assembly on Ageing. The assembly took place in 1982 and led to the first International Plan of Action on Ageing. William Kerrigan, the IFA's general secretary at the time, served as secretary-general of the assembly. The episode gave the federation a durable role in international advocacy and helped establish ageing as a matter of global public policy. The IFA subsequently expanded its engagement with international institutions. In 1995 it obtained general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This is the highest category of ECOSOC accreditation for nongovernmental organizations and reflects an organization's sustained contribution and broad international representation. The federation also entered official relations with the World Health Organization and maintained relationships with UNESCO, the International Labour Organization, and other UN and non-UN bodies. Its activities have included participation in international meetings, provision of policy information, and representation in discussions related to older people's rights and ageing policy. Rights-based advocacy became a prominent part of the IFA's work. In 1990 it issued a Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Older Persons covering themes including dignity, care, participation, independence, and self-fulfillment. The declaration became a reference point for later international work and was described as contributing to the development of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted in 1991. In 1999, the federation organized its fourth Global Conference on Ageing in Montreal. The conference produced the Montreal Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Older People, which was delivered to the UN Ageing Unit and later used by other international organizations. The federation also conducted research and consultation intended to connect international principles with the experiences of older people. In 2000 it completed a global survey on the perceived effectiveness of UN principles for older persons, reporting participation by 24,000 older people worldwide. Alongside such projects, the IFA has produced and supported international reports, circulated a periodic electronic newsletter, and shared information about policy, practice, and their effects on older people. A continuing institutional activity is the biennial Global Conference on Ageing. These events bring together large international audiences to examine research, public policy, service delivery, rights, and practical responses to demographic change. The conferences also provide a platform for partnerships among governments, NGOs, academia, business, and professional communities. The IFA's administrative base changed over time. After AARP's formal support role ended in the early 1990s, the secretariat moved to Montreal, Quebec. In March 2009, the headquarters moved again, this time to Toronto, Ontario. From Toronto, the organization continues to operate as a global ageing-sector network and advocate. Its present identity is centered on knowledge exchange, international representation, policy influence, and the promotion of a rights-based approach to ageing rather than on the sale of conventional products.

• 2009

  Headquarters transferred to Toronto

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The federation moved its headquarters from Montreal to Toronto, Ontario.

• 2000

  Global survey completed

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The IFA completed a global survey on the effectiveness of UN principles for older people, reporting participation from 24,000 older people worldwide.

• 1999

  Montreal Declaration produced

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The fourth Global Conference on Ageing in Montreal produced the Montreal Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Older People.

• 1995

  General consultative status at ECOSOC

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The federation received general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

• 1991

  UN Principles for Older Persons adopted

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  United Nations principles concerning older persons were adopted, with the IFA's earlier rights declaration identified as a foundation for this international policy development.

• 1990

  Rights and Responsibilities declaration published

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The IFA released a declaration addressing the rights and responsibilities of older persons, including dignity, care, participation, independence, and self-fulfillment.

• 1982

  World Assembly on Ageing

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  The IFA's advocacy contributed to the convening of the first United Nations World Assembly on Ageing and the resulting International Plan of Action on Ageing.

• 1973

  IFA formally established

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  A follow-up meeting approved the federation's constitution and bylaws, formally creating the International Federation on Ageing.

• 1972

  International discussions begin

  [1]International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org

  Twenty representatives from 13 countries met at the London School of Economics at an AARP-supported initiative to discuss establishing an international organization focused on ageing.

A global, nonpartisan ageing-sector convenor and policy advocate connecting civil society, governments, academia, business, and international institutions to promote the rights, participation, independence, health, and quality of life of older people.

• Conference and stakeholder forum

  Global Conference on Ageing

  A biennial international conference organized by the IFA for discussion of ageing policy, research, services, rights, and practice. It brings together representatives from government, civil society, academia, professional organizations, and other sectors. The conference functions as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on issues affecting older people.

• Newsletter and information service

  IFA eNews

  An electronic newsletter distributed by the federation to share updates on ageing policy and practice, communicate the organization's activities, and highlight issues affecting older people. It serves as a regular information channel for members and stakeholders in the international ageing field.

• Research and policy publication

  International ageing reports

  Reports produced or supported by the IFA examine ageing-related policy, practice, rights, and implementation at an international level. These publications are intended to inform decision-makers and practitioners and to help translate evidence and international commitments into better outcomes for older people.

• Rights framework · 1990

  Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Older Persons

  A 1990 IFA declaration outlining principles related to the dignity, care, self-fulfillment, participation, and independence of older people. It provided a concise rights-based framework and was later associated with the development of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.

• 1990Rights of Older Persons declaration

  Global

  The federation promoted a rights-based understanding of ageing through its Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of Older Persons.

  Outcome. The declaration became a foundation referenced in connection with the UN Principles for Older Persons adopted in 1991.

  Source
• 1982Advocacy for a World Assembly on Ageing

  Global

  The IFA advocated for a United Nations World Assembly devoted to ageing, helping build international attention around the need for coordinated policy action on older people's issues.

  Outcome. The World Assembly on Ageing was convened in 1982 and produced the first International Plan of Action on Ageing.

  Source

• 2009

  Transfer headquarters from Montreal to TorontoStrategy

  Background

  Following the earlier relocation of the secretariat to Montreal after AARP's support role ended, the federation revised its administrative base.

  Action taken

  The IFA transferred its headquarters to Toronto, Ontario, in March 2009.

  Aftermath

  Toronto became the organization's continuing headquarters and Canadian base of international operations.

  Source

1. 1International Federation on Ageingen.wikipedia.org
2. 2International Federation on Ageing official websiteifa.ngo