Populations around the world are rapidly ageing. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the number of people over 60 years is set to double by 2050. As a consequence, this will lead to increased demand for primary health care and long-term care as well as larger and better trained workforce that can respond better to the needs of the older adults with cancer. This partnership is to stimulate, use and translate research into innovation to strengthen the capacity of the health workforce for optimisation of treatment of older adults with cancer.

SIOG is powered by global collaborations to foster the development of health professionals. Our general objective is to strengthen national capacity for Human Resources for Health (HRH). In collaboration with SIOG National Representatives the SIOG 10 Priorities Initiatives was published in 2011. The SIOG 10 Priorities cover three main areas: 1) Advocacy 2) Education and 3) Research and Clinical Practice. This partnership recognise a mutual intention to work together, worldwide, to develop and promote geriatric oncology, to collaborate on the development of programmes and/or resources for HRH to exchange materials, expertise and knowledge developed by various institutions in different national contexts. Implementation mthodologies will include the following programmes: 1) Conducting field-based research for improvement of cancer care for older patients, 2) Supporting country health policies and systems, 3) Producing scientific knowledge in support of evidence-based health policies and 4) Delivering educational programmes and tools, training as well as skills development.

Medical practice and knowledge is continuously and rapidly evolving. New diagnostics tests, therapies and recommendations are always being put on the market and studies are constantly performed to reassess relative efficacies of current treatment options. Continuing education addresses these issues in order to keep clinicians up-to-date on new information, as well as reinforce quality information. Several arrangements will be made: 1) SIOG, in collaboration with various partners, will organise accredited educational courses in geriatric oncology as well as other topics. 2)SIOG will develop a series of free online educational activities specifically addressing the special considerations that apply to managing the older patient with cancer. 3) As a complementary medical educational tool, SIOG will offer a series of podcast programmes covering a range of educational and scientific content on geriatric oncology. 4) Collect and publish a comprehensive database of training and research opportunities in geriatric oncology available worldwide. This project has been previously supported by the Young SIOG interest group.

SIOG is a multidisciplinary team of oncology and geriatrics physicians, as well as allied health professionals and expert trainers with a unique collaborative approach to address the rising public health challenges related to ageing and cancer around the world. As of 2018, we count 1700 members in 45 countries worldwide. The initiative is headed by the following governing bodies: - the Board of Directors - the Executive Committee - the Permanent Committees - the Interest Groups

Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) , European Cancer Organisation (ECCO), The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) , European Union Geriatric Medicine Society (EUGMS), Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC), The Union for International Cancer Control's (UICC)