Video and caption credit – UN Decade of Healthy Ageing
In 2021, groups of older people from Canada, Jordan and Togo were involved in a project to ensure their voices were heard from the start of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030). This project used the participatory video methodology to strengthen the meaningful engagement of older people in the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing’s activities. Older people brought their experience, perspectives and expertise to find solutions to issues that matter to them. The group of older people from Manitoulin Island, Canada, addressed these issues in a film made by themselves.
Manitoulin Island is the largest fresh-water island in the world, located in the Northern part of Lake Huron, in Ontario, Canada. Manitoulin Island means “Spirit Island”. Today, the island is the home of seven first nations as well as non-native people, living in reserves and small towns. One of the group’s recommendations is to raise funds for intergenerational connection projects to spread awareness of caring and respecting Nature and Indigenous knowledge. The participants plan to keep using participatory video to highlight the importance of having appropriate housing and staying mentally and physically active. Watch the entire film to hear more recommendations and reflect on older people’s perspectives about healthy ageing in Canada.