Two global megatrends – the emergence of digital technologies and the increased size of ageing populations – will bring about important socio-economic changes worldwide in the coming decades.
In addressing this issue, ITU is developing policy, strategy, guidance and resources to increase digital inclusion for older persons. The ITU report Ageing in a digital world – from vulnerable to valuable lays out the challenge in greater detail while self-paced online training ICTs for better ageing and livelihood in the digital landscape addresses local digital inclusion policies, strategies and good practice.
Within the UN system, ITU has contributed to the development of the WHO/ UN Women Social isolation and loneliness among older people: advocacy brief and the celebration of the UN International Day of Older Persons in 2021 in the ‘Digital inclusion for all ages’ event jointly organized with UN DESA and other partners.