Dr. Cynthia Stuen is the Regional Vice President for North America of the International Federation on Ageing and its Main Representative to the United Nations. Dr Stuen is Vice President of VISIONS Services for Blind and Visually Impaired, Dr. Stuen is the immediate Past Chair of the NGO Committee on Ageing at the UN and active in advocacy for the protection of the human rights of older persons with a special interest in older women. She is active in monitoring of inclusion of older persons in the UN’s Agenda 2030 and support of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.
Her professional career of over 40 years as a gerontological social worker has focused on policy, planning and administration to improve the lives of older persons and recognize the lifelong inequities endured. Serving in various capacities at Lighthouse International during her 24 year tenure. Her entire professional career has been in the field of aging.
Her numerous publications, presentations and research endeavors cover topics of age-related sensory loss, evidence-based electronic records, access to environments for older adults with sensory loss and contributions older persons make to society.
Dr. Stuen received her Bachelor’s Degree from Valparaiso University, her Master’s Degree from the University of Chicago and her doctorate from Columbia University School of Social Work.