In 2012, DCU became the world’s first Age-Friendly University, recognising the need to meet the challenge and opportunities of a rising demographic, both nationally and globally. Many other universities around the world have now followed our lead by endorsing our Ten Principles of an Age Friendly University. DCU is committed to opening up every aspect of campus life, including all educational, research, cultural and recreational facilities and activities, to respond to the needs and interests of older adults.
In 2016, support from the DCU Educational Trust for an Age Friendly University Coordinator role enabled DCU to grow the network from three to 11 member universities and to deliver a diverse programme of activities for older people on DCU campuses. An additional 2,000 older people visited DCU in 2016 for activities that included Age Action’s Silver Surfer Awards, Third Age’s Operation Conversation, Ageism, Elder and Financial Abuse workshops, 1916 commemoration events and intergenerational workshops on computer skills and storytelling and the Taste of DCU open day.