Ageism—the systemic discrimination, stereotyping, and exclusion of older persons—remains one of the most widespread yet under-recognized human rights challenges of our time. It negatively affects health, dignity, participation, and economic security, while reinforcing structural and social inequalities. Despite growing global awareness, efforts to tackle ageism remain fragmented, and it continues to be embedded in laws, policies, institutions, and cultural norms.

 

This Presidents’ Symposium on Ageism will bring together members of the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA) for a high-level dialogue and a shared commitment to action. The symposium will serve as both a Call to Action and a formal proposal to establish a Global Coalition Against Ageism, modeled after the Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA). This new global coalition will be evidence-informed, human rights-based, person-centred, and accountability-driven, working across disciplines and sectors to drive long-term, systemic change.

 

Co-Presidents of ILC GA, Ms. Margaret Gillis and Dr. Julie Byles, will present on behalf of the Alliance, and several other ILC GA Presidents have been invited to offer formal remarks. Importantly, this is an inclusive and participatory session, and all ILC GA Presidents present at the IFA Conference in Cape Town are warmly encouraged to share their views, insights, and support—either during the panel or through active engagement in the discussion.

 

Key themes include:

– The structural, interpersonal, and internalized dimensions of ageism

– The intersectionality of ageism with other forms of discrimination

– Policy innovations, legal reforms, and strategies to drive systemic change

– The role of intergenerational solidarity, education, and public awareness in reshaping how societies value aging

 

A moderated panel discussion will follow the presentations, with an open invitation for all ILC GA Presidents to reflect on the question:

“Would your country’s ILC support the development of a Global Grassroots Coalition Against Ageism, and how might it contribute?”

Dr. Kiran Rabheru is a Professor of Psychiatry and a Geriatric Psychiatrist at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa. For over 40 years, he has cared for his patients and their carers, as a primary care physician and later as a geriatric psychiatrist. Dr. Rabheru is a Certificant and a Fellow of the College of Family Physicians and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is designated as a Founder of the subspecialty of Geriatric Psychiatry in Canada and is recipient of the Outstanding Achievements in Geriatric Psychiatry Award by the Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP). Currently, Dr. Rabheru serves as Chair of the Board, International Longevity Centre, Canada (ILC Canada), and Chair, Advocacy and Public Awareness Committee of the International Psychogeriatric Association. With a soft launch in July 2021, and a formal launch in November 2021, Dr. Rabheru has founded a Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA) in partnership with 14 key Canadian organizational. CCAA is inspired by the WHO’s Global report on Ageism and is a nation-wide social change movement to eliminate ageism against older

persons while protecting and promoting their human rights. In May 2023, Dr. Rabheru was invited to co-chair a new Lancet Commission on Long Term Care, based the core principles of WHO’s Healthy Aging model and human-rights.