Tsao Foundation Experts Series – Dr Alex Kalache, “Smart, Inclusive Cities”

In 2017, the flagship Tsao Foundation Experts Series hosted Dr Alex Kalache who was previously director of the World Health Organisation’s global ageing programme in Geneva (1995-2008). He played a leading role in developing the framework for the WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities, which has become a growing movement as more countries seek to deal with the effects of population ageing.

Dr Kalache delivered the keynote address at the Foundation’s 15 Nov event, “Smart, Inclusive Cities”, to present international, national and local community initiatives for shaping environments that foster healthy ageing and enable opportunities in longevity. He was joined by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health (who also graced the occasion as the Guest-of-Honour), speaking on Singapore’s Action Plan on Ageing, and how the country is harnessing technology to help with social and care needs.

Completing the circle was Dr Mary Ann Tsao, Chairman of Tsao Foundation, whose talk focused on its demonstration model to co-create a system of programmes and services that would develop and optimise the potential for health, continuous learning and participation over the life stages, and hence bring the dividends of longevity to all ages: the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) in Whampoa.

The event drew around 160 participants from the eldercare sector, research and commercial enterprise.