Where we work

The NGO Committee on Ageing (Geneva) operates as a global platform for advocacy, dialogue, and collaboration on ageing and the rights of older persons, anchored in Geneva and connected to international, regional, and national processes.

Based in one of the key centres of the United Nations system, we engage actively across the full spectrum of actors and processes reflected in this document—including the human rights system, development and social policy frameworks, global health and labour institutions, regional mechanisms, civil society networks, research platforms, and public spaces.

Through these engagements, we contribute to shaping international norms, supporting policy development, strengthening accountability, and fostering partnerships that connect human rights, development, health, labour, and urban agendas.

Our work also extends to global and regional policy processes, knowledge and training platforms, and international conferences, while maintaining an active presence in public communication and social media to amplify voices and combat ageism.

By working across levels—from Geneva to global platforms, and from institutional processes to public discourse—we aim to ensure that international commitments translate into real improvements in the lives of older persons everywhere.

  1. With the Human Rights Council, OHCHR, and Special Procedures

We collaborate with the United Nations human rights system, in particular the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and its system of Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, including the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

This engagement contributes to strengthening international human rights standards, supporting monitoring and reporting processes, and reinforcing accountability frameworks related to ageing. Through these interactions, we work to ensure that the rights of older persons are fully reflected across the normative, institutional, and operational dimensions of the international human rights system.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/topic/older-persons
https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-older-persons
https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-older-persons/about

  1. With DESA and the Social Development System

We collaborate with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and its supporting structures, in particular the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), including its Programme on Ageing. Through these frameworks, we engage with intergovernmental processes such as the Commission for Social Development and broader United Nations efforts addressing population ageing, social inclusion, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
This engagement contributes to strengthening the integration of ageing into global development policies, supporting evidence-based analysis, and promoting inclusive and life-course approaches to social protection, participation, and sustainable development. Through these interactions, we work to ensure that the rights, needs, and contributions of older persons are fully reflected across the United Nations development agenda.https://social.desa.un.org/issues/ageing

  1. With Global Civil Society

We work with global civil society networks, particularly GAROP, to advance coordinated advocacy and strengthen the global movement for the rights of older persons.

https://rightsofolderpeople.org/
https://ifa.ngo/
https://www.helpage.org/
https://www.ilc-alliance.org/
https://www.globalageing.org
https://www.stakeholdergrouponageing.org/

    1. With National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

    We engage with National Human Rights Institutions through the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions to support national implementation, monitoring, and accountability.

    https://ganhri.org/history-of-ganhri-and-nhris/

      1. Within the UNECE Region

      We participate in regional processes, including the UNECE Standing Working Group on Ageing, supporting policy dialogue, cooperation, and implementation.
      https://unece.org/population/standing-working-group-ageing

          1. With WHO and Global Health and Ageing Initiatives

          We engage with global health frameworks, including the WHO Decade of Healthy Ageing, promoting inclusive and integrated health and care systems.
          https://www.who.int/initiatives/decade-of-healthy-ageing
          https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/

          1. With ILO and Social Protection Frameworks

          We work with the International Labour Organization on issues related to work, pensions, social protection, and care systems across the life course. In this context, we support rights-based and inclusive approaches to social protection, including the promotion of social protection floors as a key framework to ensure access to essential income security and services for all, including older persons.

          Through these engagements, we contribute to policy dialogue and knowledge exchange on extending coverage, addressing inequalities, and adapting labour markets and social protection systems to demographic change. This includes collaboration with partners such as the Social Protection Floors Coalition, helping to advance integrated and sustainable responses that uphold the dignity, autonomy, and rights of older persons.
          https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/ageing/lang--en/index.htm
          https://www.ilo.org/
          https://www.socialprotectionfloorscoalition.org/

          1. With UNFPA and Population and Data Frameworks

          We engage with the United Nations Population Fund to strengthen the integration of ageing into population policies, demographic analysis, and data systems.

          This work supports evidence-based policymaking and promotes the visibility of older persons through age-disaggregated data across the life course.
          https://www.unfpa.org/ageing

          1. With the European Ageing Community

          We collaborate with networks such as the European Ageing Network and the AGE Platform Europe. The European Ageing Network contributes expertise on long-term care systems, workforce development, and service delivery, while AGE Platform Europe plays a key role in policy advocacy and advancing the rights of older persons at the European level. Through these partnerships, we help bridge practice and policy, ensuring that rights-based approaches to ageing are reflected across both service provision and public policy.
          https://www.age-platform.eu/
          https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/
          https://www.ean.care/en

          1. With Research and Training Platforms (UNRISD)

          We engage with the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, contributing to training, webinars, and policy dialogue. In this context, we also participate in discussions on inequality and inclusive development, highlighting the specific dimensions affecting older persons, including structural ageism and gaps in international protection frameworks.
          https://www.unrisd.org/en

          1. With UNITAR and Knowledge Platforms

          We engage with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research through its virtual roundtable series on ageing, contributing to knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and policy dialogue. These exchanges bring together experts, United Nations actors, and civil society to address key issues such as urbanisation, food security, demographic change, and the human rights of older persons.

          Through this engagement, we support the integration of ageing perspectives into broader policy discussions, promote interdisciplinary approaches, and contribute to strengthening inclusive and rights-based responses across the life course.
          https://www.ungeneva.org/en/about/organizations/unitar

          1. With the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities

          We engage with global initiatives on age-friendly environments, including the Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, and collaborate with World Health Organization and UN-Habitat in advancing inclusive, accessible, and sustainable urban development.

          Through these frameworks, we contribute to policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of age-friendly approaches that integrate housing, mobility, health, and social participation. This engagement supports the development of environments that enable older persons to live independently, participate fully in their communities, and enjoy their rights across the life course.
          https://unhabitat.org/topic/urban-ageing
          https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/who-network/
          https://unhabitat.org/

          1. With the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO)

          We collaborate with CoNGO, a key platform for coordinating civil society engagement across the United Nations system. Through CoNGO and its network of NGO Committees, we contribute to strengthening the role, visibility, and coherence of civil society participation in multilateral processes.

          This engagement supports collective advocacy, knowledge exchange, and coordination among civil society actors across regions and thematic areas. It contributes to reinforcing inclusive participation in United Nations processes and to promoting a stronger, more coordinated civil society voice in advancing human rights, social development, and the rights of older persons.
          https://ngocongo.org/

          1. With the International Gender Champions Network

          We participate in the International Gender Champions, a leadership network committed to advancing gender equality across international organisations, governments, and civil society.

          Through annual commitments, we promote the integration of gender equality and the rights of older women across all our activities and advocacy work.
          https://genderchampions.com/
          https://genderchampions.com/champions/alejandro-bonilla-garcia

          1. Across Global Conferences and International Dialogues

          We participate in international conferences and global policy platforms on ageing, human rights, and development.
          https://social.desa.un.org/world-summit-2025
          https://wuf13.az/en/

          1. In Public Spaces and Social Media

          We are active on social media and public platforms, sharing information, shaping debate, combating ageism, and amplifying the work of partners and stakeholders.
          https://www.facebook.com/ageinggeneva
          https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngo-ageing-committee-geneva-bab114370/?skipRedirect=true

          1. In Geneva and Beyond

          While rooted in Geneva, our work connects local, regional, and global levels to translate international commitments into real impact. In this context, we collaborate with local actors, including the Plateforme du Réseau Seniors Genève, supporting coordination, knowledge exchange, and initiatives that enhance the inclusion, participation, and well-being of older persons at the community level.
          https://www.geneve-int.ch/
          https://www.plateformeseniors.ch/