Cherian Mathews is Chief Executive of HelpAge International, that facilitates the global network which brings together over 200 member organisations around 100 countries, with a shared goal to promote the wellbeing, dignity, and rights of the older people.
Cherian has more than 35 years of international development experience in leading and managing humanitarian, long term development and advocacy work at country, regional and global levels.
In his long career, Cherian has engaged in wide range of research and policy issues like Food Justice, Climate Change, Inequality and Humanitarian action. Currently, he is pursuing policy agenda on population ageing and promoting the rights of older people, especially looking at intersectionality with gender, disability, and climate change. He is passionate about localisation and decolonisation of aid architecture.
Previously, he worked with Oxfam GB as International Programme Director and before that with Action Aid. Prior to that he worked with local and national level civil society organisations on the rights of indigenous people and other marginalised communities in India.
He is one of the Board of Directors of International Federation on Ageing and a Board member of International Civil Society Centre.
Cherian has completed his post graduate degree in development studies in India and has completed advance management and leadership courses in Oxford and Harvard University.
