International Day of Older Persons 2023; October 1st.

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.

Statement by the United Nations Secretary General on the International Day of Older Persons 2023; October 1st.

This year’s International Day of Older Persons coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To realize the promise of the Declaration, we must do more to protect the dignity and rights of older persons everywhere.

Challenges abound. Ageism is rampant in societies. From the COVID-19 pandemic to poverty and climate emergencies, older persons are often among the first victims of crises.

Addressing these and other issues is a human rights imperative that will benefit everyone.

Older persons are invaluable sources of knowledge and experience and have much to contribute towards peace, sustainable development, and protecting our planet.

We must ensure their active engagement, full participation, and essential contributions – including through social and workplace policies built around their specific needs.

We must promote lifelong learning, quality healthcare, and digital inclusion.

And we must foster intergenerational dialogue and unity.

Together, let us build more inclusive and age-friendly societies and a more resilient world for all.

António Guterres 

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.

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.

LIVESTREAM: 2023 Commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.

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.