18-20 Nov 2025– Principal Investigator of the DIHAC study, Associate Professor Dr. Myo Nyein Aung, Department of Global Health Research, Juntendo University was invited to participate in the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN-ESCAP) “Regional Workshop on Enhancing Digital Literacy for Older Persons in Asia and the Pacific–Strengthening Digital Inclusion for All Ages” organized at Grand Ballroom, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 18 to 20 November 2025. The meeting is organized by UN-ESCAP in partnership with School of Public Policy, Chiang Mai University (CMU). The meeting comprised participants from 11 countries, civil service organizations, older people associations and social enterprises, academics from Japan, Republic of Korea, China and CMU, UNFPA and UN-ESCAP officials.

Figure1: ESCAP regional workshop participants on 18th Nov 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand 

This workshop concentrated on sharing digital literacy tool kit and current initiatives on digital literacy trainings, discussing policy recommendations and scaling up implementation for leveraging digital literacy among older persons and fostering collaboration among stakeholders in the region. The meeting shared recent innovations of digital literacy training among older adults in 11 countries in Asia Pacific regions such as Japan, ROK, China, and pilot implementation of digital skill training for older adults in the Vietnam, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan and India to sustain the programs.

During the section “International and regional experiences on digital skills for older persons”, Professor Myo shared the research findings from Digitally Inclusive Healthy Ageing Communities (DIHAC): A cross-cultural study in Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand to the participants in his presentation entitled “Enabling ecosystems–digital health and service ecosystems for older persons” . It was well received by ESCAP officials, NGO leaders, delegates form respective governments and researchers. He highlighted how integrated digital platforms can strengthen access to healthcare and social services, reduce inequalities, and promote healthy ageing. He also provided policy recommendation for promoting digital literacy of older persons in Asia and Pacific Region.

Figure 2: Dr Myo Nyein Aung giving a panel discussion at ESCAP regional workshop about digital inclusion and ecosystem on 18 Nov 2025

ESCAP Regional Workshop report and document to download

On the last day of workshop, the delegates paid a visit to CMU School of Lifelong Learning and observed the Multi-generation Entrepreneur Development Educational Ecosystem (MEDEE) project video presentation, and four desks of demonstration for exercise program, teaching AI to the older person, teaching cyber security to the older persons and promoting local productivity of Thai older persons. Three days of workshop deliberately discussed overcoming local determinants such as urban and rural divide, gender gap, funding gap, argued approaches to scale up digital inclusion in the region and advocated national commitment. 

Figure 3: (From left to right) Government official, academic (DIHAC) and CEOs of the HelpAge India, ESCAP officials, CEOs of Young Happy, HelpAge Vietnam and Cambodia and during CMU observation trip of ESCAP workshop

This workshop brought together experts, policymakers, and program implementors from across Asia and the Pacific to share strategies for strengthening digital inclusion. Dr. Myo’s explained the importance of embedding digital literacy within broader health and social ecosystems, aligning with our ongoing research on healthy ageing and digital inclusion. ESCAP regional workshop is featured by discussion, comments, ideas, experiences and evidence shared by UN-officials, academic from Japan, ROK, China and Thailand, government officials, civil service organization, HelpAge and older persons organizations from various countries across the Asia-Pacific. It also brings successful story of Thailand such as MEDEE project and Yong Happy Social enterprise.

DIHAC study findings helped important regional platform and paved policy dialogues in collaborations with ESCAP that advance empowering digitally inclusive, healthy ageing in the digital era. We sincerely thank ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) for the invitation to contribute to advancing digital inclusion among older adults across the region. We also thank School of Public Policy and School of Lifelong learning CMU.