Julianne Parkinson, the Chief Executive Officer of Global Centre for Modern Ageing® (GCMA) based in South Australia, has been recognised as one of the leading influencers in ageing in the Asia-Pacific region. She was honoured with the prestigious Ageing Asia Global Ageing Influencer Award 2023 for her exceptional dedication to enhancing the quality of life for older adults worldwide. The award was presented at the 11th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards ceremony held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands Hotel on May 25.
The Ageing Asia Global Ageing Influencer Award, presented annually since 2018 by Ageing Asia at their World Ageing Festival, acknowledges distinguished individuals who have developed impactful programs, services, or innovations focusing on ageing. This lifetime award is bestowed upon up to 10 recipients each year.
The concept of Modern Ageing® advocated by GCMA represents a paradigm shift in how society approaches and prepares for the process of growing older. Instead of perceiving retirement as the onset of old age, Modern Ageing® envisions life as a series of phases, each presenting new opportunities for older adults to contribute meaningfully to society through work, learning, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community engagement.
Ms Parkinson, a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a graduate of the Stanford Business School Innovative Technology Leader Program and the Stanford Executive Program 2022, expressed her gratitude for receiving the award on behalf of GCMA. She stated, “This acknowledgement is greatly appreciated and symbolises the significance of modern ageing as a rapidly expanding global sector.”
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness a substantial increase in the ageing population, with approximately 1.3 billion people over the age of 60 by 2050. Among the top 10 countries, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore will have the highest proportion of older adults. Global consumer spending by individuals aged 65 and above is projected to rise by $15 trillion within the next seven years, and the value of the ageing market in the Asia-Pacific region is estimated to exceed $4.5 trillion by 2025.
Ms Parkinson shared, “This award affirms the significant role of the Modern AgeingⓇ movement within the global longevity economy. It celebrates the impact that person-centred, evidence-based insights can have on transforming the range and quality of products and services that markets are willing to invest in to meet the needs of the world’s largest consumer base.”
Ms Parkinson added, “We take pride in our global presence and our ability to drive positive transformative change. Organisations like ours, in collaboration with governments, industries, research institutions, and citizens, can make remarkable strides in enabling and supporting older people to thrive in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Merely living longer without living better is not sufficient. While the unmet needs of ageing are universal, each individual’s journey is unique. At GCMA, it is our privilege to learn from the diverse lived experiences of older adults and understand their expectations, aspirations, and challenges. These insights can unlock better and more equitable outcomes for all, optimize the allocation of public funds, and provide a clear direction for capital investment.”
Ms Parkinson, as the founding CEO of GCMA, has been instrumental in leading the independent research organisation’s efforts to elevate the standard of living for older adults globally. GCMA is committed to promoting innovation in the Ageing Well industry through advocacy, market development, partnerships, research, and learning. Their renowned LifeLab®, located in South Australia’s Tonsley Innovation District, is one of only 18 internationally accredited Living Labs recognised by the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), holding significant global influence.
