Announcing the Successful Transition of the Age-Friendly Global Network
For Immediate Release: Phoenix, AZ, USA. (September 18, 2023) - The founding partners of the Age-Friendly University Global Network, Arizona State University, the University of Strathclyde, and Dublin City University, are pleased to announce the successful transition of the Age-Friendly University Global Network Secretariat to Arizona State University, effective August 15, 2023.
The Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU GN) was founded in 2012 following the convening of an interdisciplinary working group to identify the distinctive contributions that higher education institutions could make in addressing the needs of older adults. As a result, the Ten Principles of an Age-Friendly University were established. These principles complement the existing WHO Age-Friendly Communities Program - and now serve as a core component of the Age-Friendly Ecosystem. Over 110 universities have joined the network from five continents.
David Coon, Director of ASU’s Center for Healthy and Resilient Aging and Associate Dean of the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, where the AFU GN will be housed, shared, “We are thrilled to be able to bring this exciting global collaboration to Arizona State University, and I am even happier to have it housed within Edson College. Here, it will grow within an ecosystem focused on answering the most critical questions of an aging society and complement the research and scholarship of our Center.”
Following ten years of shepherding the Age-Friendly Global Network, Dublin City University announced in April 2023 that the global network would transition to Arizona State University, with the University of Strathclyde assuming the Vice-Chair Role and Dublin City University remaining on the new Executive Committee.
The success date would not be possible without the work of Christine O’Kelly, Dublin City University, and AFU GN Executive Committee Member. “Over the past ten years of leading the Age-Friendly University Global Network, I have had the great honor and privilege to work with colleagues worldwide to implement age-friendly practices by challenging stereotypes, promoting intergenerational learning, and advancing education and research. I know the network is in good hands, and I am very excited to be part of the next stage of the revolution in higher education led by our founding partners.”
At Arizona State University, the efforts will be shepherded by Dr. Aaron Guest. “We felt that ASU was well positioned to take this on with things such as the Center for Innovation in Healthy and Resilient Aging, Mirabella, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, all making up part of this ecosystem we already have here,” said Guest. “We're happy that the University of Strathclyde has remained involved as vice chair and that we're working in conjunction with them as well as DCU to develop a new global governance structure and to grow the network in new ways.”
Alix McDonald, Head of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, University of Strathclyde, and Vice-Chair representative to the AFU GN Executive Committee, shares this excitement: “We are really excited by the new AFU Secretariat model. We will build upon the incredible legacy created by Dublin City University over the last 11 years. We especially look forward to working on the recruitment of European and UK Institutions as the European Regional Lead.”
Along with this transition, The Age-Friendly University Global Network has launched a new web presence, AFUGN.org.
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ABOUT: The Age-Friendly University Global Network is committed to promoting and supporting an inclusive approach to healthy and active aging. The Ten Principles of an Age-Friendly University set a framework for higher education institutions to embrace age-friendly practices. Since commencing in 2012, over 110 universities across five continents have embraced the principles. Visit AFUGN.org to learn more.