The University of Windsor has officially become a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network, affirming its commitment to promoting inclusive higher education.
The University of Windsor has officially become a member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network (AFU), an international consortium of higher education institutions advancing opportunities for learners of all ages.
By joining this global community, UWindsor affirms its commitment to promoting inclusive higher education through teaching, research and community engagement.
“This membership highlights our commitment to intergenerational and accessible learning opportunities for all,” says UWindsor President and Vice-Chancellor J.J. McMurtry.
“It allows us to showcase and advance the University’s leadership—regionally and globally—in creating accessible pathways through our academic programs, research excellence and community engagement.”
This initiative aligns with Aspire Together for Tomorrow, UWindsor’s institutional strategy, particularly its foundational commitments to accessibility, inclusion and community engagement.
By promoting lifelong learning and fostering intergenerational connections, UWindsor strengthens its role as a regional and national leader in age-friendly higher education.
“As retirees, we value the University’s recognition that aging is an integral part of the academic and community fabric,” says Gwendolyn Ebbett, president of the University of Windsor Retirees’ Association (WURA). “This initiative celebrates our continued contributions and ensures that all generations have the opportunity to learn from one another in meaningful ways.”
Through initiatives such as the Sunset House retiree hub and collaborations across campus, UWindsor is investing in stronger connections with its community and recognizing the invaluable contributions of retirees to intergenerational learning and academic mission.
Together, these efforts affirm that retirement is not an ending but a transition—and that older adults, along with learners of all ages within and beyond the campus, remain vital to a vibrant, inclusive, and age-friendly university community.
With nearly one in five residents in Windsor-Essex aged 65 and older, the University’s membership in the AFU Global Network builds on local momentum to support an aging population. The City of Windsor is already recognized as a member of the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, reinforcing a shared regional commitment to inclusivity and engagement across generations.