UCLA Age-Friendly University Initiative
Introduction
The University of California, Los Angeles proudly joined the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network in 2018. UCLA is the first campus within the UC system to join AFU and looks forward to engaging UCLA’s multidisciplinary programs to support AFU principles. UCLA’s unique position at the center of one of the most diverse and influential global mega-cities allows it the opportunity for active participation in the Age-Friendly movement, cross-campus collaborations on equity and inclusion of older adults in the university community, support to education, wellness, and research on ageism, and fostering intergenerational learning.
UCLA is building a healthy campus aging community that promotes engagement across the lifespan and strategies to identify ageism.
The UCLA Age-Friendly University Initiative will be guided by the UCLA Emeriti/Retiree Relations Center.
Age-Friendly University Global Network
The Age-Friendly University Global Network is an association of higher education institutions committed to promoting positive and healthy aging and enhancing the lives of older members of the global community through innovative educational programs, research agendas, curriculum development, online education, health and wellness activities, arts and culture programs and civic engagement opportunities.
Goals:
The UCLA Age-Friendly Initiative intends to use the 10 Age-Friendly University (AFU) principles as its guide in developing this Initiative:
- To encourage the participation of older adults in all the core activities of the university, including educational and research programs.
- To promote personal and career development in the second half of life and to support those who wish to pursue second careers.
- To recognize the range of educational needs of older adults (from those who were early school leavers through to those who wish to pursue Master’s or PhD qualifications.)
- To promote intergenerational learning to facilitate the reciprocal sharing of expertise between learners of all ages.
- To widen access to online educational opportunities for older adults to ensure a diversity of routes to participation.
- To promote public discourse on how higher education can better respond to the varied interests and needs of older adults.
- To increase the understanding of students of the longevity dividend and the increasing complexity and richness that aging brings to our society.
- To enhance access for older adults to the university’s range of health and wellness programs and its arts and cultural activities.
- To engage actively with the university’s own retired community.
- To ensure regular dialogue with organizations representing the interests of the aging population.
AFU 10 Principles: https://www.afugn.org/principles