Lingnan University (LU) joined the 16th IFA conference from 27 to 30 June and shared the commitment on responding the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the World Health Organization’s action plan in achieving active and healthy ageing through collaborative actions. This year’s theme of, “Challenge-Transformation-Change” reflects the global commitment across sectors and disciplines to work together in and outside of our respective fields to create environments which enable older people to do what they have reason to value, and to stand for social justice and equity towards a more sustainable and just future. The topics on sustainable long-term care, integrated care for older age groups, digital transformation, and gerontechnology applications in the ageing society were being discussed through presentations, workshops, and open forums throughout the four days event.

Chloe SIU from the Institute of Policy Studies and School of Graduate Studies made a paper presentation on the stakeholder analysis of the gerontechnology ecosystem in Hong Kong and introduced the mode of the innovation ecosystem. She also highlighted the importance of value co-creation through forms of cross-sector collaboration. At the end of the presentation, Chloe also called for international attention to understand how technology creates a supportive environment and promotes intergeneration harmony and social inclusion.

Chloe also joined the Hong Kong Council of Social Services Gerontechnology Platform delegation for the study tour as one of the academic representatives to visit different eldercare services and rehabilitation centers in Bangkok. The Hong Kong delegates came together to understand the development of elder-care services in the region. Some eldercare sectors also emphasized the application of technology, which support the physical conditions or dementia older adults to benefit from the assisted and advanced living facilities.