By Connie Newman
On the theme of collaboration, the ongoing work of Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC) and the Age-Friendly Manitoba Initiative (AFMI) continues to be strongly influenced by the World Health Organization (WHO). There are three initiatives that provide resources we use in our work …in our collaboration… with you and all communities across Manitoba:
• Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, started in 2006
• World Report on Aging and Health, released in 2015, and
• Decade of Healthy Aging 2021 – 2030 The work of the WHO falls within two broad areas of responsibility. The first is managing the response to major global health priorities such as tuberculosis, malaria…and of course, right now, COVID-19. It is their second role, helping with health systems and access to health care around the world, where WHO has invested in the 3 initiatives noted above. On our theme of collaboration, WHO is a master of collaboration!
Founded in 1948, WHO is the health agency of the United Nations (UN). There are 197 countries in the world and 194 are member states of the WHO. Its Head Office is in Geneva with a second key office at the UN Headquarters in New York City. In addition, WHO maintains six Regional Offices and 150 field offices. One of those Regional Offices is for the Americas and includes Canada, as part of the Pan-American Health Organization. The PAHO head office is in Washington, DC, coordinating activities through 27 country offices and three specialized centres.
As you can see, there are a lot of moving parts, many competing demands and the need for a lot of collaboration to achieve success. The goal of these collaborative efforts is the inclusion of health in all public policies and the engagement of all sectors in efforts to ensure that people live longer, healthier lives, with good health as their most valuable resource.
For Canada, Health Canada and in particular the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is our point of contact with the WHO. We participate on PHAC’s Pan-Canadian Age-friendly Reference Group, which facilitates collaborative sharing and efforts amongst representatives from across Canada. PHAC is also providing leadership to Canada’s contributions to the Decade of Healthy Aging, and we are moving forward in Manitoba to support efforts in line with the four action areas of the decade, namely supporting age-friendly environments, combatting ageism, and encouraging efforts to enhance integrated and long-term care.
Being Connected through Communication, Coordination, Collaboration and Celebration strengthens the Cohesiveness of our communities. Everyone is welcome to contribute, and when community leaders and age-friendly champions come together they lead the way toward a holistic and coordinated approach. By communicating and networking we learn more about the needs and the barriers we face, and sharing that information moves us closer to our goals. Once the planning and action begins, age-friendly leaders can coordinate the elements needed to bring about relevant changes.
Collaboration is an opportunity to envision a stronger community by viewing all aspects through an age-friendly lens, meshing theory with the practical. It encourages participation and allows for uniqueness through the formation of ideas and innovative approaches. It will create occasions to contribute our thoughts about the built environment surrounding us; the outdoor spaces, public buildings, businesses, housing and the transportation options and safety factors; so, our communities are where we want to stay, live, play, volunteer and work. We also need to consider the social fabric of a community so that where we live is friendly and interesting. It includes the social opportunities for participation, the respect and social inclusion for all ages including older adults, as well as opportunities for volunteering, civic participation and employment. Community support and health services are also an important contribution to our quality of life. Forming the plans and identifying the actions that will move us forward cohesively will engage the local government, community organizations, schools, businesses and neighbours. Once we reap the benefits of our collaborative efforts and accomplishments, we can celebrate and appreciate the successes that make our communities unique and a place where we want to raise our families and age among familiar friends and places.
Collaboration of the Age-Friendly Manitoba journey began in 2008 and included the efforts of the Government of Manitoba, Seniors and Healthy Aging Secretariat, who provided the funding, and the University of Manitoba, Centre on Aging who provided the research component and authored helpful reports. The Association of Manitoba Municipalities, along with the Manitoba Government jointly invited communities to join the Age-Friendly Manitoba initiative. Communities were offered orientations, community consultations and action planning support.
Word spread, interest peaked and today 92 rural and urban jurisdictions participate. The U of M Architecture, Department of City Planning graduate students recognized an opportunity to collaborate with individual rural communities and invited them to take part in their planning projects. They offered well thought out proposals with sketches of age-friendly designs, that were unique for each community. The Transportation Options Network for Seniors (TONS) became involved to support collaboration and networking for rural transportation providers. Currently, the Manitoba Association of Senior Centres (MASC) provides the leadership for Age-Friendly Manitoba, and due to its extensive connections, the Age-Friendly initiative continues to grow. Other collaborative efforts have included regional health authorities, the Manitoba Association of Senior Support Coordinators, Recreation Manitoba, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporations as they provide assistance bringing communities together for regional collaborative opportunities.
Collaborating within our communities and beyond provides benefits that can be beneficial today and far into the future.
The Manitoba Association of Senior Centres is the lead on the Age Friendly MB Initiative.
Check out our websites at www.manitobaseniorcentres.com and/or www.agefriendlymanitoba.com