PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons by the (resolution 45/106). Among development groups, less developed countries excluding the least developed countries will be home to more than two-thirds of the world’s older population (1.1 billion) in 2050. Yet the fastest increase is projected to take place in the least developed countries, where the number of persons aged 65 or over could rise from 37 million in 2019 to 120 million in 2050 (225%).
FORUM: “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations.” International Day of Older Persons 2023. 75 years ago, this year, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a monumental document in the history of human rights. Written by representatives from around the world with different legal, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, it is the first document articulating the fundamental human rights that are meant to be universally protected. In recognition of this milestone, and looking to a future that delivers on the promise to ensure that all persons, including all older persons, fully enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms. According to the outcomes of the Fourth Review and Appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), age-based discrimination in institutions, attitudes and practices continues to be rampant, highlighting deficiencies in the implementation of international and national frameworks for older persons. Systemic and structural barriers often exist for older persons in the context of work, standards of living, learning opportunities and access to services and resources because of ageist attitudes, discriminatory laws and policies, underfunding, and lack of accessibility and affordability, among others. This can lead to increased vulnerability of older persons to neglect, abuse and serious health issues. There are and have been numerous interventions designed to prevent and mitigate these threats to older persons which, while helpful, have not necessarily been based on a coherent and holistic approach to the human rights of older persons that is more broadly sustained. According to the outcomes of the Fourth Review and Appraisal of MIPAA, in the absence of human rights norms and standards, particularly to the situation of older persons at the international level, the ability to unpack the complexities and changing nature of discrimination and intersecting forms of inequality across the life course is limited. The work of the International Community around intergenerational solidarity has demonstrated, time and again, through various fora that intergenerational solutions, which are guided by the human rights principles of participation, accountability, non-discrimination and equality, empowerment and legality, can contribute to rekindle the legacy, relevance and activism of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by empowering both youth and older persons to shift the needle of political will towards fulfilling the promises of the Declaration for all people across generations. Follow the conversations with hashtags. #1October, #UNIDOP2023, #OlderPersonsDay, #HealthyAgeing.
EVENTS: The 33rd commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons will focus on the theme of “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations”. The event will put a spotlight on the specificity of older persons around the world, for the enjoyment of their rights and in addressing violations, and how the strengthening of solidarity through equity and reciprocity between generations offers sustainable solutions to deliver on the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.
New York, UNHQ - On October 2nd, 2023, from 10am to 1pm at ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ. A event entitled “Fulfilling the Promises of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Older Persons: Across Generations” wil be hosted by United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), NGO Committee on Ageing NY, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Group of friends of Older persons, the Permanent Mission of Argentina to United Nations; The event to observe the United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2023 is a call to action and opportunity, with globally representative experts offering a multi-stakeholder dialogue on a range of human rights of older persons and as well as on examples of policies that facilitate intergenerational solutions, taking into account a life course approach to equality, freedom and justice for all. Register to participate.
Geneva, UNHQ - On September 28th, 2023, from 15:30-17:00 CEST at United Nations geneva. An Hybrid event & WebEx event entitled ‘‘Climate change induced disasters: Older persons’ preparedness and response to build forward better” was hosted by the UNECE, NGO Committee on Ageing Geneva, the Permanent missions of Portugal, Slovenia, the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the International Psychogeriatric Association, the Global Alliance for the rights of Older person (GAROP), the International Longevity Centre (ILC) … to mark the International Day of Older Persons 2023 in UN Geneva. Please register for ONLINE participation HERE.
The objectives of UNIDOP 2023:
To increase global knowledge and awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and generate commitments among all stakeholders to strengthen the protection of the human rights of current and future generations of older persons around the world;
To share and learn from intergenerational models for the protection of human rights around the world; and
To call on Governments and United Nations entities to review their current practices with a view to better integrate a life course approach to human rights in their work, and to ensure the active and meaningful participation of all stakeholders, including civil society, national human rights institutions and older persons themselves, in the work on strengthening solidarity among generations and intergenerational partnerships.
PODCASTS: The Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) is an opportunity to bring together governments, civil society, international agencies, professionals, academia, the media, and the private sector for ten years of concerted, catalytic and collaborative action Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: it’s time to Improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
The Objectives of the International Day of Older Persons are :
To highlight the resilience of older women in the face of socioeconomic, environmental, health and lifelong inequities.
To raise awareness of the importance of improving world-wide age- and gender-sensitive data collection and analysis in order to provide essential evidence for effective policies.
To call on Member States, United Nations Funds, Programmes, Specialized Agencies and other United Nations entities, as well as civil society to include older women in the center of all policies, ensuring gender equality, as described in Our Common Agenda; which represents the Secretary-General's vision on the future of global cooperation.
Consider the life expectancy and improve the living conditions of ageing population
Spend time and Give attention to Older persons
Raise awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons, while tackling stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination associated with digitalization, taking into account sociocultural norms and the right to autonomy.
Highlight policies to leverage digital technologies for full achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Address public and private interests, in the areas of availability, connectivity, design, affordability, capacity building, infrastructure, and innovation.
Explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety of older persons in the digital world.
Highlight the need for a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons and an intersectional person-centered human rights approach for a society for all ages
PARTNERSHIPS
The International Day of Older Persons is hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the United Nations Enable, The Elders, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.N. Women…
With the participation of International and Regional Institutions, the Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Researchers and Academics.