About Us
From Australia and Antigua to Vanuatu and Zambia, through our growing networks we are sharing ideas, creating connections, and challenging ageism across the 56 countries of the Commonwealth.
Latest News
CommonAge Appoints Nadra Ahmed and Darren Birbeck as Vice Chairs
CommonAge is pleased to announce the appointment of Nadra Ahmed (UK) and Darren Birbeck (Australia) as Vice Chairs of the organisation.
Exploring the Diversity of Ageing Across Sub-Saharan Africa
On 27 January, CommonAge hosted a dynamic and insightful webinar exploring the diversity of ageing experiences across Sub-Saharan Africa. The session brought together participants from 27 countries, creating a rich, global exchange of perspectives on both the challenges and the advancements shaping ageing across the continent.
CommonAge Chair (Emeritus) Mission to Rwanda & Kenya | 23–30 November 2025
CommonAge Chair (Emeritus) Andrew Larpent recently completed a meaningful mission to Rwanda and Kenya as part of the Equity Group Holdings (EGH) Trade & Investment Roadshow — a major continental initiative supported by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).
CommonAge — the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the HMCGSSC Home Management and Care Givers SSC
We are proud to announce a historic first for CommonAge — the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the HMCGSSC Home Management and Care Givers SSC , a government-recognized skills council in India.
Ageing Australia National Conference 2025
Ageing Australia® is the national peak body for aged care, representing providers of retirement living, seniors housing, residential care, home care and community services.
We were delighted that our Chair, Mansur Dalal, represented CommonAge at the Ageing Australia National Conference 2025, hosted by Ageing Australia this October.
New Country Chapter launch 2025
CommonAge launches of three new Country Chapters in Zambia, Mozambique, and Namibia! 🎉
These Chapters were officially launched at the CommonAge Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 8th of September 2025 in Cape Town — expanding our presence across the Commonwealth and strengthening our mission to amplify the voices of older people globally.
Each new Chapter:
Brought together changemakers passionate about ageing and intergenerational collaboration
Advocated for the rights and inclusion of older people in their communities
Fostered cross-country partnerships that drove real change.
What we do
We are an accredited Commonwealth civil society charitable organisation, advocating to ensure that older people are fully recognised in society, and are supported and enabled to live well in an all age-inclusive Commonwealth.
Advocacy for the Rights of Older Persons: The latest report “Dementia in the Commonwealth” was released by CommonAge board members at the CHOGM meeting on 22nd October 2024 in Samoa. Our purpose, through this report, is to support and encourage a more dynamic approach to the challenges of dementia by Commonwealth states. With dementia being the 7th leading cause of death worldwide, the number of older people in these countries is expected to double in the next 25 years. Learn More
Bursary Programme: We support the professional development of young leaders, by providing travel bursaries to relevant conferences and events across the commonwealth. Learn More
C.A.R.E Awards: We recognize and celebrate the amazing work carried out by our members across the Commonwealth, by felicitating them with our biennial C.A.R.E (CommonAge Recognising Excellence) awards. Learn More
We have recently launched 4 country chapters in South Africa, India, Botswana and Kenya
- We are working towards promoting Healthy ageing across the Commonwealth through “Conversations in Common” series. Learn More
- We actively lobby governments, encourage sharing of ideas and promote Intergenerational activities, hold both physical and virtual events, make submissions to international papers, and support ongoing research into issues affecting older people in the Commonwealth.
- We work with hundreds of organisations across the Commonwealth – from grass roots to government departments. We challenge ageism and support the campaign for a UN Convention of Rights of Older Persons.
- We strive to establish standards in senior care in countries across the Commonwealth.
- We are acting as catalyst in providing a collaborative platform for free quality training opportunities to those delivering elder care in developing countries. (Train the Trainer Programme).
- We participate through a Delegation to the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). (CHOGM, May 2023).
- We publish reports and papers from time to time: Learn More
- We are promoting a CommonAge Youth Chapter, by engaging with dynamic young people, who are actively engaged in older people affairs across the Commonwealth.
- CommonAge at the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting Commonwealth Year of the Youth; CommonAge supports emerging young leaders.
Our Story
From an idea to a reality, this is our story.
The Chairman of CommonAge, Andrew Larpent, was fortunate to be offered a place on Commonwealth Study Conferences Leaders (CSC Leaders) programme. Andrew’s involvement took him first to London in March 2013 for a week of immersion in the challenges and opportunities facing communities from Commonwealth countries living in the UK.
It was during this programme that the initial concept for CommonAge was developed and tested. It was overwhelmingly supported as one of the leading initiatives to be taken forward after the study conference.
