Meet the Voices Driving Change: Speakers at the IFA 17th Global Conference on Ageing
The IFA 17th Global Conference on Ageing brings together thought leaders, researchers, policymakers, and advocates from around the world to drive action on ageing. Our distinguished speakers are at the forefront of shaping evidence-based policies and practices that impact older adults globally.
Explore their expertise, insights, and contributions as they lead critical discussions on the most pressing issues in ageing today.
* Tap on each image to learn more about their background and contributions.
Opening Ceremony Speakers
Ms. Alana Officer
Unit Head, Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing, World Health Organization (WHO)
Prof. Bismark Tyobeka
Vice Chancellor, North-West University
Mr. Graeme Prior
President, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)
Mr. Gregor Sneddon
Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing
Mr. Kgosietsile Sehularo
Chair, South African Older Persons Forum
Prof. Jaco Hoffman
Co-President, IFA 17th Global Conference & Professor of Socio-Gerontology, North-West University
Keynote Speakers
Ms. Grace Chan
International Vice President, IFA and Business Director, Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Hong Kong, China
Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlele
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for research and innovation at North West University and Chairperson of the Board, National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) South Africa
Presidential Symposium Speakers
Mr. Chan Yue Chun
Head of Spatial Data Office, Development Bureau, Hong Kong, China
Ms. Claudia Mahler
UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons
Prof. Hannelie Meyer
Professor and Head, South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre (SAVIC), Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Dr. John Beard
Irene Diamond Professor and Director of the International Longevity Center - USA at Columbia University, New York
Prof. Julie Byles
Emeritus Professor, The University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia; Co-President: ILC GA;
Prof. Mabel Bianco
Founder and President, Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM)
Plenary Symposium Speakers
Dr Alexandre Kalache
President at International Longevity Centre-Brazil
Ms Alison Marshall
CEO, Age International
Prof Anne Margriet Pot
Professor, Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management in Rotterdam, Netherlands (Reflexive regulation standards)
Mr. Cherian Mathews
Chief Executive, HelpAge International & IFA Director
Dr. Cynthia Stuen
IFA Regional Vice President and Main Representative to the United Nations & Past Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing (New York)
Prof. De Wet Swanepoel
Department of Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, University of Pretoria
Dr. Debra Whitman
Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer, AARP
Prof. Elisabeth Shroeder-Butterfill
Associate Professor, Head of Department of Gerontology, University of Southampton
Dr. Janet Annanias
Senior Lecturer in social work at the University of Namibia
Prof. Jolene Skordis
Vice-Dean (International) for the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, Director of UCL's Centre for Global Health Economics
Ms. Katrina Bouzanis
Director, Policy, Advocacy and Innovation, International Federation on Ageing
Dr. Kiran Rabheru
Chair of the Board, International Longevity Centre Canada (ILCC) Chair, Canadian Coalition Against Ageism (CCAA) (person centred care)
Prof. Kirti Ranchod
Co-Founder: Africa Brain Health Network, Global Atlantic Fellow
Ms. Laura Tamblyn-Watts
President and CEO, CanAge
Dr. Lizette Kuhn
GERATEC
Mr. Mansur Dalal
Chairman, CommonAge
Ms. Margaret Gillis
Co-President: Internatonal Longevity Centre Global Alliance (ILC GA). President ILC Canada
Prof. Norah Keating
Professor and Co-director Research on Ageing, Policies and Practice, University of Alberta & Director, Global Social Issues on Ageing, International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Dr. Paul Ong
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer of the Tsao Foundation, (Local policy approach)
Mr. Peter Holland
Chief Executive, International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness
Mr. Peter Rundlet
Vice President, AARP International
Dr. Prakash Tyagi
Executive Director of GRAVIS and Founder-Director of GRAVIS Hospital & IFA Director
Prof. Ralph Martins (AO)
Chair,Ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease, ECU, Director, Research, Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation
Dr. Shanika Donalds
PhD in Gerontology, University of Alberta and Director of Housing and Client Services, GEF Seniors Housing
Ms. Shusmita Rashid
Director, Knowledge Mobilization and Strategic Relations, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest
Ms. Silvia Perel-Levin
Independent consultant on ageing, health and human rights of older persons. Past Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing, Geneva
Ms. Siobhan Casey
Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland and Regional Vice President, Europe, IFA
Ms. Susana Harding
Senior Director, International Longevity Centre Singapore (ILC-S) Tsao Foundation
Dr. Temitope Farombi
Geriatric Neurologist, Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Center, University College Hospital, Ibadan
Mr. Thiago Herick De Sa
Technical Officer, Demographic Change and Healthy Ageing Unit, World Health Organization
Ms Tu-Anh Hoang
Deputy Director, Center for Initiatives in Health and Population (CCIHP)
Dr. Vânia de la Fuente-Núñez
Healthy Ageing Senior Advisor, The Fred Hollows Foundation