HelpAge International | Our ambassadors | Who we are

Our global ambassadors support our work by speaking at events and introducing us to new contacts. They have all worked closely with us and are recognised internationally as experts on ageing.

Professor Nana Araba Apt

Professor Nana Araba Apt is an academic from Ghana who has published widely on ageing in Africa. She is currently Dean of Academic Affairs at Ashesi University College, Accra.

She was previously based at the University of Ghana, Legon, where she created and ran the Centre for Social Policy Studies. She is a founder member and current president of HelpAge Ghana.

"Who would have thought that Africa, well acknowledged for its traditional caring systems, would now face a crisis of caring for its ageing family members? I have committed much of my academic life to exploring avenues to make older people's life less burdensome in Africa and I welcome this role with HelpAge."

Baroness Sally Greengross

Baroness Sally Greengross is a commissioner for the UK Equality and Human Rights Commission. She was director-general of the older people's organisation, Age Concern England from 1987 to 2000.

She received a life peerage in 2000 and is an independent member of the House of Lords. She holds offices on a number of all-party parliamentary groups. She is currently chief executive of the International Longevity Centre UK, the leading think tank on demographic change.

"The contribution older people make to society is often forgotten. Older people's voices need to be heard, their needs expressed strongly and their wishes relayed to those who can provide help, care and resources. This is what HelpAge does and I am delighted to represent them and work with them to achieve their goals."

 Dr Alexandre Kalache

Dr Alexandre Kalache pioneered "active ageing" at the World Health Organization as head of the Ageing and Life Course Programme from 1995 to 2007.

He now heads the International Centre for Policies on Ageing, Brazil, is a special adviser for global ageing to the New York Academy of Medicine and a member of the advisory board of the World Demographic and Ageing Forum.

"I am firmly committed to HelpAge and strongly believe in its core values and principles. I will strive to serve as an ambassador - an honour - particularly in what concerns my own region, Latin America, and the consolidation of our struggle towards strengthening the rights of older people worldwide."

Dr Alexandre Sidorenko

Dr Alexandre (Sasha) Sidorenko has raised older people's issues worldwide as head the United Nations Programme on Ageing from 1993 to 2009.

He was responsible for the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002 and the 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA). He currently holds a range of advisory roles, including as a member of the board of trustees of the World Demographic and Ageing Forum of St Gallen.

"HelpAge has proven to be the major if not the only developmental agency on ageing. Being part of this effort is an opportunity to continue what I have been doing at the United Nations and to fulfil the tasks which as a professional I set for myself."

Dr Mary Ann Tsao

Dr Mary Ann Tsao has pioneered new approaches to elder care in south-east Asia as a founder member, former chief executive and current president of the Tsao Foundation, Singapore.

After training and working as a doctor in the USA, Dr Tsao set up the Tsao Foundation with her grandmother in 1993 to provide community health services for older people and promote successful ageing. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2000 and Public Service Star in 2004 for her work on ageing.

"On establishing her foundation, my grandmother said: ‘There's nothing as desperate and bleak as being old and poor. Poor young people can always work for a brighter future. For poor older people, however, especially for those who are weak and sick, there is absolutely no hope for a better tomorrow.'

"HelpAge International works tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged older people around the world, and I am privileged to join its effort as an ambassador."

via helpage.org