From September 11-13, 2024, Bali hosted the Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing. Co-organized by the Ministry of National Development Planning of Indonesia (BAPPENAS), HelpAge International, and UNFPA. The event brought together more than 400 participants from 38 countries across the region. The conference focused on a critical and timely theme – Reframing Ageing – shifting the conversation from viewing older populations as a burden, passive, frail and vulnerable to recognizing them as an underutilized resource with the potential to drive societal and economic growth.
A New Vision for Ageing Populations
The core focus of the conference was to encourage policymakers, civil society, academics and researchers as well as the private sector to rethink how ageing populations are perceived and integrated into social and economic systems. Historically, ageing societies have been portrayed as a “tsunami of ageing”, as a “time-bomb”, threatening fiscal stability and overburdening healthcare and pension systems. However, the conference aimed to shift this narrative toward seeing older adults as active contributors to their communities and societies.
Rather than simply preparing for a future in which older populations are seen as dependents, the conference emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for older people to engage in economic activities, participate in decision-making, and contribute to community resilience. This long-term adaptation is key to tackling the demographic shift while promoting social cohesion and economic growth.
Diverse Participation Driving Policy Innovation
A major strength of the conference was the diversity of its participants. Government officials from the Ministries of Finance, Health, Planning, and Social Affairs attended alongside representatives from international and civil society organizations, academics, private sector leaders, and researchers. This broad mix of expertise and perspectives, both across sectors and sub-regions, underscored the need for integrated, cross-disciplinary solutions to the challenges and opportunities posed by ageing populations.
The presence of decision-makers from different fields and countries also provided a unique platform for advancing ageing-related policies and practices. Governments could learn not only from each other’s successes but also from the practical steps taken to implement policies. Each of the six themes discussed—ranging from long-term care strategies to productive ageing—was explored with a focus on actionable insights and the “how-to” of adaptation.
Learning from Vietnam’s ISHCs: A Standout Success
One of the most highly valued contributions to the conference came from the delegation of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE), which shared the transformative experience of the Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs (ISHCs) – a model that was assigned by the Prime Minister to the Vietnam Association of the Elderly to coordinate with other ministries and institutions to establish, support and replicate. These community-based organizations, originally developed and promoted by HelpAge’s projects, have evolved into one of the most effective models for addressing the needs of older people while fostering intergenerational solidarity.
The ISHCs are participatory, multi-functional clubs that work closely with local governments to promote healthy ageing, social engagement, income-generating activities, home care and more. Unlike the older model of Older People’s Associations (OPAs), which primarily focused on social activities, the ISHCs take a holistic approach to addressing the social, economic, and health needs of older adults while actively engaging them as contributors to their communities.
The ISHCs sparked immense interest from multiple countries, which expressed a keen desire to learn not only about the organizational structure but also the strategies for scaling these clubs across the country. For many delegations, Vietnam’s experience offered a real-life example of how older populations could be integrated into national development plans rather than sidelined as a burden. Interest to learn more from the Vietnamese experience came from Indonesia, Mongolia, India and Bangladesh, amongst others.
The conference also explored emerging areas where older populations could play a vital role, particularly in climate action and technological development. Discussions emphasized that older adults, far from being disproportionately affected by extreme weather events, have the experience and insight to contribute meaningfully to efforts to address climate change, both in adaptation and mitigation.
Other significant topics that drew widespread attention included the development of long-term care strategies and the concept of productive ageing. As countries grapple with how to provide sustainable, high-quality care for their ageing populations, the need for systems that promote dignity, independence, and social engagement was highlighted. The idea of productive ageing—engaging older adults in meaningful economic activities—was seen as essential to ensuring that countries can harness the potential of their older populations.
Looking Ahead: A Future of Opportunity
The Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Population Ageing in Bali was not only a platform for knowledge sharing but also a call to action. It reinforced the notion that ageing populations are not a looming crisis but a tremendous opportunity for countries to innovate and grow. By reframing ageing and embracing older people as valuable assets, nations in the Asia Pacific region can build resilient, inclusive societies that benefit from the contributions of all age groups. Vietnam’s ISHC experience showcased how local innovations can be scaled to create lasting impact, and the conference underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration to bring these ideas to life. The region’s path forward is clear: by adapting to demographic changes and promoting the active participation of older people, we can turn the challenges of ageing societies into opportunities for sustainable development.
