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Older people around the world unite to demand action on ageing
01 October 2007
Today is the UN International Day of Older Persons, a day on which older
people from around the globe call for more action from governments to meet the
needs of an ageing world. The
Age
Demands Action campaign, which is being led by HelpAge International, and
is supported by DFID, will see delegations of older people from developing
countries meet with politicians to press for change on essential issues like
health, pensions and equality.
Over 60s: Enormous development potential
Image courtesy of John Cobb/HelpAge International
By 2050, one in every five people will be over the age of 60. Over
three-quarters of these will live in less developed regions. Currently,
an estimated 100 million older people live on less than a US$1 dollar a day and
80% do not receive social security. Older people are among the poorest and most
marginalised in society today, but they offer enormous potential for
development in the future.
Against this backdrop of sharply increasing lifespans, older men and women
are uniting to raise awareness of the unique problems
they face. A key part of this involves holding their governments to account over the
Madrid
International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA), a declaration agreed by 159
UN member states five years ago that sets out the goals to meet on this growing
issue.
Richard Blewitt,
CEO of HelpAge International: “Whether it is a grandmother in Africa caring for
her grandchildren after their parents died of AIDS, or a grandfather in Colombia
working the fields to feed his grandchildren while their parents work in the
city, the vital role of older persons is seriously underestimated by governments
and others all around the world. This harms families, it harms the older persons
themselves and it harms economic and social progress. It is time for a change."
The campaign is being supported by politicians, celebrities, artists and
musicians, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka.
DFID: Committed to action on ageing
Image courtesy of Stefan Hoffman/HelpAge International
DFID’s commitment to the Age Demands Action initiative has enabled older
people in 25 countries across four continents to meet with top Government
officials. It is the first globally coordinated action of older people to bring
about
change.
Delegates will call for improvements to policies and practices on ageing in
their countries and push for a new recognition of the vital role played by older
people in
society. They will also reinforce the need for a package of universal non-contributory pensions, healthcare
focused on the unique needs of older people and anti-discriminatory legislation
to apply worldwide.
In Serbia, where people aged 65 and over make up around 25% of those
living in poverty, the Age Demands Action delegation is calling for
improvements in access to public buildings and transport, and for action to
enable older people to supplement their incomes by being allowed to work part time
without losing their pensions.
In Thailand, where they frequently care for sick adult children or young,
orphaned grandchildren, older people want to see a section of the
budget for the National AIDS Plan allocated to those among them affected by HIV and
AIDS. They are also demanding the expansion of community and homecare services
for older people and for the better training of carers.
In Uganda, where the Participatory Poverty Assessment programme indicated that
older people were amongst the poorest in the country, they want clear
statements from the Government on how it will financially support the 80% of
older people who are not in the civil service and therefore do not receive a
pension. They are also demanding that their own representatives be given a
voice in parliament.
Delegations of older people will meet with top leaders in Bangladesh, Dominica,
Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nepal, Philippines,
Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda,
UK, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and a Latin American Regional Delegation
comprising representatives from Peru, Colombia and Bolivia.
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