Lingnan University successfully hosted the inaugural seminar on age-friendly cities in Indonesia on April 29th, 2024. This collaborative effort involved the School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University; the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Universitas Gadjah Mada; ERAT, Indonesia – a non-governmental organization (NGO) promoting elderly rights in Indonesia; the Regional Body for Planning and Development Yogyakarta City; and the University of Gunungkidul Regency, Indonesia.

This seminar is one of a series of four organized by the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, and its partners in Indonesia. The primary objective of these knowledge transfer activities is to equip stakeholders, such as NGOs, higher education institutions, policymakers, and social workers, with the necessary knowledge and skills to foster age-friendly cities and communities, and promote healthy aging, and the Hong Kong experience serves as the foundation for these endeavours.

The seminar was conducted in hybrid format, and it attracted over 140 participants, including representatives from the local government agencies in Yogyakarta province in Indonesia, NGOs, Universities, Social workers, older adults, and young people.

Prof. Maggie LAU of the School of Graduate Studies and Director of Policy Studies, Lingnan University, delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of age friendliness in cities/communities worldwide for the well-being of older adults.

Bharuddin, PhD, the Secretary of the Department of Social Development and Welfare at Universitas Gadjah Mada, also highlighted the urgency of addressing rapid aging in Indonesia.

Professor Cheng SHI of the School of Graduate Studies delivered the inaugural seminar titled “Age Friendly-Cities: Creating Inclusive and Liveable Environments for All Ages.” Mr. Tauchid Komara from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Sapta Widi from ERAT, also shared policy and practical experiences from Indonesia during this seminar.

Through these collaborative knowledge transfer activities, the School of Graduate Studies, Lingnan University, and its partners aim to equip over 2000 individuals in the GBA and Indonesia with the knowledge and tools to promoting age-friendly city concept. As this is the first in a series of four, the School of Graduate Studies will further deliver three more seminars in Indonesia on 16^th May 2024, 6^th June 2024, and 15^th July 2024. The seminar series will culminate in a workshop focused on training AFC ambassadors in Indonesia. The workshop will cover four key domains of AFC, including social participation, respect and social inclusion, communication and information, and community support and health services. This comprehensive training will empower the ambassadors to champion age-friendly practices through a bottom-up and community-based approach, and contribute to the well-being of older adults in their communities.

The collaborative efforts of the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University, and its partners including the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Universitas Gadjah Mada, ERAT, and the Regional Body for Planning and Development Yogyakarta City, seek to make a significant impact by promoting age-friendly practices, and enhancing healthy aging in Indonesia.