WHO Commission on Social Connection Online Event
Theme: Creating connected places for health and well-being (June 25, 2026)
On June 25, 2026, the WHO Commission on Social Connection and the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) co-hosted “Connection Conversations” (theme: Creating connected places for health and well-being). Minister KIKAWADA Hitoshi, Minister in charge of Measures for Loneliness and Isolation, attended the event online.
- Date and Time
- June 25, 2026 (Thursday), 12:00–13:30 CEST
- Venue
- Online(Zoom Webinar)
- Organizer
- WHO Social Connection team
- Co-organizers
- WHO Social Connection team;Secretariat to the WHO Commission on Social Connection;WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities
At the beginning of the event, Minister KIKAWADA , Minister in charge of Measures for Loneliness and Isolation, delivered opening remarks. He emphasized the importance of measures to address loneliness and isolation. He also introduced Japan's policy framework and current initiatives, as well as the country's approach to improving public awareness of these policies and building community-based systems that connect people experiencing loneliness and isolation to local community spaces and public support.
The panel discussion included speakers from Japan, as well as Mr. David McKinney from the Office of the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Mr. Pablo Ferreiro from the Department of Social Cohesion and Solidarity of the City of Geneva, Switzerland, and Dr. Aparna Shankar, Co-Chair of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Social Connection.
Japan introduced practical initiatives being implemented at the community level and shared perspectives on the roles expected of national and local governments.
The other panelists also presented examples of efforts to foster social connections at the national and city levels, and participants exchanged views on the importance of building community networks to support social connections.
Through this event, the participants reaffirmed their commitment to further promoting social connection by continuing to share knowledge and deepening collaboration among countries and cities.
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