The webinar will explore how churches can respond to the growing challenges and opportunities of ageing societies, at a time when the number of people aged 65 and over is rising in virtually every country. The webinar will bring together perspectives on human rights, mental health, palliative care, access to care, the future role of care workers, and the ethical use of AI, with practical examples. The discussion will equip church leaders and communities to support older persons with dignity, compassion, and justice, in line with the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing and emerging international standards on the rights of older persons. Communities and societies are increasingly confronted with the realities of population ageing, as people aged 60 and older already represent a rapidly growing share of the world’s population and are expected to be one in six people globally by 2030. This demographic shift amplifies care needs related to chronic illness, disability, long‑term care, loneliness, end‑of‑life issues, mental health, and access to appropriate, affordable services, while care systems often lag in capacity and integration. Evidence shows that loneliness and social isolation are major public health and spiritual concerns in later life, associated with increased risks of depression, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and premature mortality, and one in six older adults globally experiences abuse. At the same time, care work is often carried out by undervalued, underpaid, and predominantly female workers and family caregivers. They face workforce pressures, migration, financial strain, and complex ethical questions around the use of digital tools and AI in care. These concerns go beyond social and medical issues to include pastoral, ethical, intergenerational, and human rights questions that call for a coordinated response from faith communities and churches, which are uniquely placed to address spiritual suffering, build community, and advocate for justice. Speakers Prof. Arvind Kasturi, professor of Community Health at St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, and a leading expert in community medicine and geriatrics leads the St John’s Geriatric Centre. Rev. Dr Fr Stavros Kofinas, moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne (Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople), and coordinator of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care. A priest, theologian, and a practicing psychotherapist. Josephine Lee, CEO, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican) St James’ Settlement on Elderly Care - a member agency of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church), which has developed “Continuing Care” since 1967 to provide one‑stop, professional elderly care services and promote respect for older persons. Facilitators Dr Janice Wing‑Hang Tsang, member of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing and co‑convener of the Anglican Health and Community Network. Dr Gisela Schneider, member of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing and the cochair of the Working Group on Access and Health Systems. Rev. Dr Miriam J. Burnett, member of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing and cochair of the Working Group on Access and Health Systems. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Yaci5f0SQ6SvSUx6vn9KMg#/registration | 
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