Sharjah 24: In cooperation with Sharjah Age Friendly City office and the World Health Organization (the Middle East Regional Office), a workshop on the Best Practices Forum for the Elderly will be held on May 17, aiming to present and transfer experiences and global best practices, and benefit from the innovations provided by cities having a long history in this field and is a member of the global network of age-friendly cities, whereas Sharjah has been a member since 2016.

According to Asmaa Al Khodari, Director of Sharjah Age Friendly City office in Sharjah Social Services Department (SSSD), the workshop is held twice a year, and organised by Sharjah Age Friendly City office, as part of the strategic plan of its programme, and its importance lies in being marketing the experience of the Emirate of Sharjah globally, especially since the participants are members of the Global Network of Elderly Friendly Cities at the World Health Organization.

Al Khodari indicated that the workshop targets the coordinators of the Sharjah Age-Friendly City programme from government institutions in Sharjah participating in the implementation of the current strategic plan and standards for age-friendly cities with its eight axes, service and care providers for the elderly, in addition to employees and officials of government and non-governmental agencies, concerned with the eight axes age-friendly cities developed by the Global Network of Elderly Friendly Cities.

The workshop hosts models of global practices from USA and Australia according to the axes of age-friendly cities: outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, community participation, respect and social inclusion, communication and information, community support and health services.

Bill William, an AARP consultant on age-friendly cities, presents models of global practices according to the axes of age-friendly cities, and Dr. Kathleen Brashor from Australia, will present the experience of the city of Victoria.