Your latest updates on #AWorld4AllAges – Global Campaign to Combat Ageism
The first quarter of 2025 has seen many changes take place around the world. But amidst all the shifts, the need to stand against stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in all its forms – including ageism – remains stronger than ever.
That’s why we’re excited to see the worldwide movement to combat ageism and create #AWorld4AllAges not just keep going, but grow in momentum.
In this Global Campaign to Combat Ageism update, learn more about:
- A milestone at the UN Human Rights Council towards the development of an international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons
- The launch of the WHO Ageism Scale: a new way to measure ageism (28 April; Monday)
- Getting involved with Global Intergenerational Week 2025
- The Global Campaign to Combat Ageism in action around the world
UN Human Rights Council adopts decision to begin drafting an international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons
On 3 April 2025, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a landmark decision to establish an intergovernmental working group that will draft an international legally binding instrument on the human rights of older persons.
This is a big leap forward for efforts to create #AWorld4AllAges, because we know from the UN Global report on ageism that policies and laws work to combat ageism.
For example, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child helps protect childhood as a special time for children to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity. A similar instrument to protect the rights of older persons doesn’t yet exist at the global level. But by developing one, we can better ensure we can live free from stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination at all ages – including older age.
A big congratulations to the Member States, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders that contributed to this milestone! Stay tuned and subscribed for updates – and to learn about upcoming opportunities to get involved.
Explore the landmark decision by the UN Human Rights Council
Join the launch of the WHO Ageism Scale: a new way to measure ageism
DATE: 28 April 2025 (Monday)
TIME: 14:30 – 15:45 CET (find your time zone here)
REGISTER: bit.ly/who-ageism-scale
This event marks Global Intergenerational Week 2025.
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Ageism has serious consequences for our physical and mental health, impacts negatively on our social well-being, and takes a heavy economic toll on individuals and society. To stop the damage, urgent action is needed to address ageism around the world, across all ages.
But to know if we’re making progress in reducing ageism and creating #AWorld4AllAges, we need a valid and reliable tool to measure ageism.
Join us for the launch of the WHO Ageism Scale: a set of extensively tested metrics designed to monitor ageism levels worldwide, illuminate its drivers and consequences, and evaluate the impact of interventions aimed at reducing ageism.
By attending this webinar, you will:
- Understand why a new tool to measure ageism is needed
- Receive an overview of the new WHO Ageism Scale and how it was developed
- Learn how to access the WHO Ageism Scale and related resources
- Hear case studies and lived experiences on how the WHO Ageism Scale was implemented in diverse countries
- Get guidance on how you can use the WHO Ageism Scale in your own work
- Participate in an interactive Q&A session with WHO representatives and lead researchers
Register for the launch of the WHO Ageism Scale
Get involved with Global Intergenerational Week 2025
The launch of the new WHO Ageism Scale is just one of many events being organised around the world to mark the civil society-led Global Intergenerational Week 2025, taking place from 24 to 30 April 2025.
Intergenerational practice works to reduce ageism. It also brings wide benefits to any setting by strengthening communities and building on the positive resources people of all ages have to offer each other.
Join us in celebrating Global Intergenerational Week by using and sharing our resources, including our practical how-to guide on intergenerational practice.
Don’t forget to also explore and get involved with events being organised by stakeholders around the world to advocate for the transformative power of connecting generations!
Learn more about intergenerational practice
Explore Global Intergenerational Week and related events, and register your own
The Global Campaign to Combat Ageism in action around the world
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted the report ‘Overcoming Age-based Discrimination Against Older Persons’ on 31 January 2025.
The report calls on Member States to take concrete measures to combat age-based discrimination, including active participation in the WHO Global Campaign to Combat Ageism.
In Malaysia, Monash University Malaysia collaborated with KL Sings to explore how intergenerational choirs can help build a supportive community and reduce ageism.
The ‘Harmony Across Generations: Singing Against Ageism’ project drew on the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism’s Connecting Generations guide to bridge generational gaps through group singing.
In Germany, a church-based NGO called Forum älterwerden developed a film project interviewing 18 people between the ages of 17 and 86 to explore the themes of ageing, intergenerational contact, and the meanings of life.
The project produced three films and is distributed in support of the WHO Global Campaign to Combat Ageism.
Download and use the Global Campaign to Combat Ageism supporters’ logo