Promoting collaborative advocacy for healthy ageing

One of the central platforms for the Foundation’s advocacy is its leadership role in supporting the Aotearoa New Zealand National Forum for the Decade of Healthy Ageing / He Oranga Kaumātua, He Oranga Tangata, and providing secretariat, creative and communications support for National Forum activities.

Established by Selwyn in late 2023 in association with the Office for Seniors and Age Concern New Zealand, the Forum brings together leading organisations that provide services for or advocate on behalf of older people and their families/whānau. Its strategic priority areas vis-à-vis its core objectives are:

• transforming the ecosystem for healthy ageing;
• living longer in the community, and
• challenging ageism.

The Forum’s key activities include the commissioning of research into the challenges facing older generations, and highlighting the findings across both Local and Central Government, and stakeholder engagement and advocacy initiatives at a national policy level. It also promotes best practice in the use of language and imagery when speaking about older people and works to eliminate ageist perspectives and biases in public and private sector commentary – an important step toward dismantling harmful stereotypes and promoting more respectful and inclusive dialogue about ageing.

For further details and to download a copy of the Forum’s Age-Friendly Media Guide, visit www.nzdecade.org.nz.