December 2024

Season’s Greetings from the IFA!

As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our community. This season is a time for reflection, connection, and hope for the year ahead. No matter how you celebrate, we wish you peace, joy, and moments of togetherness with loved ones.

Together, we’ve achieved so much in 2024, and we look forward to continuing our journey in 2025, making a difference in the lives of older people worldwide!

Warm wishes,

The IFA Team

We are thrilled to announce Mr. Gregor Sneddon as the new Secretary General of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), effective November 4, 2024!

A humanitarian and passionate advocate for justice and equity, Mr. Sneddon brings extensive experience in community development and global advocacy to the IFA. As the former Executive Director of HelpAge Canada, he led the organization as Canada’s first responder for under resourced older Canadians in the Covid-19 Pandemic and developed innovative programs in age-friendly transportation, ageing in place, digital literacy, older men’s mental health, and programs addressing isolation, loneliness and abuse among older Canadians.

He is a founding member of the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism and led the creation of the National Community Leadership Council, serving to establish the pan-Canadian community-based-seniors-services sector.

Globally, in collaboration with the HelpAge International Network, Global Affairs Canada and others, he spearheaded humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Haiti, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and served as an accredited member of the UN Open Ended Working Group on Ageing advocating for the Convention on the Rights of Older People.

Mr. Sneddon is ready to advance the IFA's mission and to join the global community in co-creating a world for all people to age with dignity and self-determination.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Sneddon to the IFA!

Join us in stunning Cape Town for the IFA 17th Global Conference on Ageing!

Be inspired by groundbreaking conference themes, connect with renowned Expert Advisors,and immerse yourself in the vibrant offerings of Cape Town after a day of workshops, masterclasses, and dynamic concurrent sessions.

Don’t wait—secure your spot now with early bird registration fees and be part of shaping the future of ageing worldwide!

Share Your Insights at the IFA 17th Global Conference on Ageing!

Contribute to the global dialogue on ageing by submitting your abstract today.

Showcase your research, innovative ideas, or best practices and connect with experts, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make your voice heard!

Annual Members Meeting

Mark your calendar! Join the IFA for the 2024 Virtual Annual Members Meeting and stay updated on the IFA's work.

Open to all, but only IFA members will have voting rights.

📅 When: 16th December 2024

⏰ Time: 6:00 AM Eastern Time

Don't miss this chance to connect and have your voice heard!

Upcoming webinar: Increasing Cross Sectoral Collaboration in Advocacy Efforts for Ear and Hearing Care Services

Interested in learning more about hearing health and dementia? Join us to learn from the panel of experts, including Dr. Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Dr. Chodosh, and Dr. Sue Archbold!

Hearing health is a critical component of healthy ageing, yet it remains underprioritized globally despite its profound impact on individuals and healthcare systems. Over 1.5 billion people currently experience hearing loss, a figure projected to rise to 2.5 billion by 2050, with older adults disproportionately affected—more than 65% of individuals aged 60 and above live with some form of hearing impairment.

Beyond the personal and social challenges, hearing health is connected to broader health issues, including brain health and cognition. In efforts to increase awareness and understanding, the IFA is hosting a webinar as part of the initiative Increasing Cross-Sectoral Collaboration in Advocacy Efforts for Ear and Hearing Care Services.

This event will share key findings from an analysis of aged care and dementia policies across six countries, highlight challenges faced by civil society organizations (CSOs) in advocating for equitable and accessible ear and hearing care (EHC) services, and highlight expert guest speakers in the field of ear, hearing and brain health, and healthy ageing. Together, we will explore actionable strategies to address barriers, foster collaboration, and amplify the importance of hearing health within the broader public health agenda.

📅 When: 16th January 2024

⏰ Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time

IFA Attends Canadian Immunization Conference

Ms. Katrina Bouzanis, Acting Director, Policy, Advocacy, and Innovation participated in an insightful session, "Is vaccine research, clinical practice, decision-making, and policy ageist?", with Dr. Melissa Andrews (Professor, Department of Medicine - Geriatrics, Dalhousie University) and Dr. Shelley Deeks (Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health, Department of Health and Wellness, Dalhousie University) which brought important attention to the issue of ageism in vaccination policy and practice highlighting the need for continued advocacy to ensure access to vaccination for older adults in Canada. Additionally, IFA attended and presented at the Canadian Association for Immunization Research, Evaluation and Education (CAIRE) Research Sponsor Advisory Board Meeting on challenges and opportunities towards vaccination uptake in older adults in Canada.

Tackling AMR: Watch the webinar today!



Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest global health challenges of our time.

For a deeper understanding of this critical issue, visit our landing page to learn more and re-watch our insightful webinar on tackling AMR, along with access to valuable resources on antimicrobial resistance.

New consensus statement focused on raising awareness of RSV!

As winter approaches, staying on top of your vaccinations is more important than ever. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects the respiratory system, and it's becoming an increasing concern across Canada.

The IFA is excited to launch a new consensus statement focused on raising awareness of RSV as part of the broader effort to prevent vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases. Prioritizing vaccinations will help reduce the strain on our healthcare systems and protect our communities.

Sign up here to receive weekly invitations to join the IFA’s Global Café, hosted every Friday at 7:00 a.m. EST. Have topics or speakers you would like to see on the IFA Global Café? Feel welcome to contact Senior Policy and Project Coordinator Mitali Mistry (mmistry@ifa.ngo) with your recommendations!

IFA Global Café Archive

If you were unable to attend any of the IFA Global Café sessions, we have great news for you! All past sessions, along with valuable resources and materials, are now accessible on our website. Whether you're interested in exploring specific topics or simply want to catch up on the insightful discussions, you can conveniently view the recorded sessions at your leisure.

We invite you to visit our website to experience the wealth of knowledge and expertise shared by our distinguished speakers and panelists. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with the thought-provoking content from the IFA Global Café series.

Stay up-to-date: Follow the IFA on Twitter today!