Happy World Kindness Day.
Friday 13 November.
What would a kinder world look like once we change how we think about ageing?
Of course there are people and organisations out there already challenging ageism and helping reshape the conversation around ageing – a few of our favourites include Megan LaPorte (a communications strategist, journalist, and aging-services leader) “Aging Meg” and “Art Against Ageism” (an alliance and media platform for the purpose of identifying, amplifying, and creating artistic endeavors that confront and tackle damaging stereotypes and misperceptions about age, older adults, and being older), David Harry Stewart “Ageist” and “Super Age“ (a leading authority on the data based best practices of living longer and living well), Ashton Applewhite’s Age Pride advocacy (author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism), and Colin Milner and the International Council on Active Aging (a leading authority on the health and well-being of the older adult, recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of “the most innovative and influential minds” in the world on aging-related topics).
Then there are campaigns and grassroots platforms such as our very own GreyMatter.StudioLife.com launched on October 1, 2024, designed to empower creativity, thought, and community for champions aged 50 and older. Collectively these voices and approaches share a belief that ageing should never diminish a person’s value, contribution or possibilities.
Today, we ask that you continue with us; continue to question and challenge ageist comments, or to include someone who might otherwise be overlooked. A kinder society is how we make sure everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.
It takes only a little kindness to consider because kindness is more than a smile, a helping hand or a thoughtful gesture. It’s also respect, inclusion, opportunity and the systems we create for people to live well throughout their lives. A genuinely kind, age-inclusive society recognises that:
- Everyone deserves to be seen and heard; Let’s challenge ageist assumptions and not make decisions about someone based on their age. Let’s listen to older voices, share their stories and give lived experience the recognition it deserves.
- Opportunity shouldn’t come with an expiry date; Whether it’s employment, education, creativity, volunteering or starting something new, age should never be an automatic barrier. Older people are contributors, innovators, workers, mentors and entrepreneurs.
- Wellbeing matters at every age; A kinder society invests in prevention, healthy ageing, accessible housing, healthcare, transport and communities that support people to remain connected, active and independent.
- Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility; Ageism isn’t something we can leave to the health sector or aged-care providers to fix. It requires action across workplaces, government, education, business, media and our local communities.
- Make intergenerational connection the norm; Create opportunities for younger and older people to learn from each other, work together, share experiences and challenge stereotypes. We have far more in common than we realise.
Changing the narrative, one story at a time.