ITU guidance and resources bring ageing population into the digital fold
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.
By 2050, the world’s population of people aged 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). In the context of the two global mega trends – population ageing and the rise of technology – the socio-economic landscape will face significant change and challenges.
During the reporting period and in support of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-2030, ITU-D shared subject matter expertise in digital inclusion through training, presentation, interventions and speaking slots in 17 thematic events and workshops on the topics related to older persons including: Leaving No One Behind in an Ageing World A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue, the High-Level Forum on the Silver Economy 2022, a series of webinars on “Mainstreaming Knowledge On Ageing – From Engagement To Action In The Protection And Participation of Older Persons”, a partnership of UN Agencies (IOM, ITU, OHCHR, UN DESA, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNITAR, UN WOMEN, WHO) and 7 civil society organizations. During these events, ITU-D work on “Ageing in the digital world”, was also shared.
To support the global efforts in the implementation process, ITU-D also promoted resources such as the Guidelines Report Ageing in the Digital World -from Vulnerable to Valuable, and related video tutorials available with captions in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, as well as the online self-paced training on ICTs for better ageing and livelihood in the digital landscape, available in English, French and Spanish for ITU members and all involved stakeholders to strengthen their capacity on how to use ICTs to develop innovative solutions with economic and social benefits, assisting them in turning this challenge into opportunity.
