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
Strengthening Commonwealth Partnerships for Older Persons
CommonAge is proud to be part of the renewed momentum of the Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO), which recently relaunched with a new constitution, leadership structure, and a renewed commitment to collaboration across the Commonwealth.
Celebrating Leadership and Impact from the CommonAge South Africa Chapter
We are proud to celebrate the outstanding work of our South Africa Chapter, which, in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and The Association for the Aged (TAFTA), has contributed a chapter to the forthcoming international publication, The Evolving Nature of Intimate Relationships and Family Structures in Sub-Saharan Africa by the Contemporary Perspectives of Family Research Journal.
CommonAge Welcomes Two Distinguished Leaders to its Board of Directors
CommonAge is delighted to welcome Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer and Dato’ Bindi Rajasegaran to its Board of Directors. Bringing extensive expertise in healthy ageing, public health, mental wellbeing and community leadership, both Directors will play an important role in strengthening CommonAge’s mission across the Commonwealth. Their appointments reflect our continued commitment to collaborative leadership and creating a future where every older person is valued, respected and empowered to thrive.
Celebrating Global Recognition for Mansur Dalal
We are proud to congratulate Mansur Dalal, Immediate Past Chair of CommonAge, on receiving the prestigious Ageing Asia Global Ageing Influencer Award at the 14th Eldercare Innovation Awards 2026, held last night in Singapore.
Presented in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to the global ageing sector, Mansur received the award in his capacity as Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Association of Senior Living India (ASLI).
Ann Keeling Appointed to IFCO Steering Committee
CommonAge is proud to announce that Director Ann Keeling has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the
Independent Forum of Commonwealth Organisations (IFCO).
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.
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.
