What issue links South Korea, the Netherlands, Ghana and Singapore? A growing population of older adults living healthy, longer lives, with the potential to make major contributions. Programs in each country offer new ideas and confirm common themes: work, volunteerism and intergenerational connections are the foundation for benefiting from the longevity dividend. And all of them have representation in the Encore Network.

A growing number of global leaders are aware of the encore concept through Marc Freedman's writing and speaking, Pass It On Network and other colleagues. More and more are contacting Encore.org to learn what's working in the United States, a laboratory for nonprofit and government experiments. I'm pleased to share highlights from the past month's global connections; they offer ideas for your work and a snapshot of the worldwide encore movement.

In the Netherlands, Encore Network member Tripido and energy giant Shell announced a pilot program, placing 20 encore-age Shell employees in one-day-a-week nonprofit positions, while continuing their current jobs on an 80% schedule. Shell executives cited "preventing burnout" for these longtime employees as a key benefit of this unique program. Congratulations to Tripido co-founders Leo Smitshoek and Vincent Snijder.  

Singapore's government has launched an ambitious "successful aging" plan to integrate older adults in all areas of life. (Read an overview and the detailed plan here.) 

San Francisco Encore team members met with Singapore's volunteerism organization leaders to talk about plans for "silver volunteers" including a possible Encore Fellowship program. With more than 1,000 corporate partners, the Singapore group is uniquely connected to employers who could build Fellowships into their talent management strategies.

South Korea continues to be on the forefront of encore conversations. 

In September, Encore.org hosted a Korean team filming a documentary on older adults using their skills in paid and unpaid social sector work, including interviews with the Encore Fellowships team, Experience Corps and ReServe.  South Korea's Ministry of Science, Technology and Information funded the project to offer role models for 50+ adults in Korea. We'll share a link to that material when it's released later this month. 

Seoul 50Plus visitors Manhee Kim and colleague get to know Gen2Gen.
In mid-November a team from Network member Seoul 50Plus Foundation met encore leaders in Portland and Seattle. Thanks to Jim McGinley in Seattle and Steve Maser in Portland for organizing the local meetings. The U.S. meeting follows up on their successful 2nd International Forum, which included presentations by Network members Poul-Erik Tindbaek, En3Karriere founder and Carrie Deacon, NESTA Director. Read the program overview here.

While the Foundation focuses on the 50 to 64 "young elderly" group, the Korean Labor Force Institute for the Aged addresses work for people 65+, the "older elderly."  In early November a study team met with San Francisco Encore team members to learn about employment and volunteer opportunities for older Americans. 

The Association of Ghana's Elders (AGE) is an NGO founded by social entrepreneur Esi Ansah to raise awareness of issues faced by older adults. Esi says, "In Ghana and other African countries, we've presumed that families will take care of older adults. Sadly, things have changed. We need to identify opportunities for relevant interventions, and also engage the talents of retirees who want to stay active in paid work and community activities."

AGE's three initial programs are: capturing older adults' life stories to showcase their experience and wisdom, peer support groups and health care vans to support isolated seniors. Esi's goals including growing AGE across Ghana, and inspiring other African leaders to invest in successful aging programs.

I'm inspired by these varied programs and the leadership emerging from governments, individuals and nonprofits. In turn, those programs are inspired to learn from the United States' decades of experience with encore programs and culture change. That's the power of connecting through the Encore Network, and joining our movement to engage older adults as a resource for our communities.

Warm regards, 
Betsy Werley , Encore Network lead
Headlines from the Network
Seoul 50Plus International Forum - three days of learning, connecting and global dialogue

South Korea's leading encore effort, the Seoul 50Plus Foundation, held its second International Forum in September 2017, with a large and highly-engaged audience for its three sessions. Read highlights of the program and presentations by Encore Network members Carrie Deacon of NESTA and Poul-Erik Tindbaek of En3karriere. 
Singapore Action Plan for Successful Aging: comprehensive vision for an age-friendly society

Looking for a role model to build a country for all ages? Singapore is the place to start, with its comprehensive plans and significant investment in successful aging. Read the big ideas and action plans in this comprehensive report.

Netherlands member Tripido - announcing their first pilot, with Shell 

Corporate employers, encore-age employees and social-sector organizations are the key players in Tripido, a new encore program in the Netherlands. Energy giant Shell has signed up for a pilot in which employees will work one day a week for an NGO. Read about Tripido's plans and the Shell pilot. 
National Council of Nonprofits - best practice resources 

Don't reinvent the wheel! Check out the National Council of Nonprofits' best practice resources for nonprofit excellence, technology and measuring impact. A quick read will build your capabilities and help you avoid time-wasting problems.
San Jose Mayor Celebrates Encore Prize (with video)

San Jose, California's third largest city, is a leader in engaging older adults to help kids thrive. Read about the powerful intergenerational program that won them them Encore Prize and get in touch for lessons you can bring to your hometown.
Other Network News
NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to new Encore Network members:
  • Organizations 
  • Individuals: 
    • Stuart Himmelfarb, co-founder B3, the Platform for Jewish Boomers, NYC 
    • Kent Lutz, University of Cincinnati
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