International Day of Older Persons 2014, October 1st

 


 

Realizing the Human Rights and Well-Being of Older Persons.

 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Encourages Governments to Ensure Older People’s Full Participation in Society on International Day of Older Persons 2014.

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon’s message on the International Day of Older Persons, to be observed on 1 October:

Older persons are playing an increasingly significant role in society as they grow in number and as health care improves in some parts of the world.

The number of older persons is expected to more than double, globally, from 841 million people in 2013 to more than 2 billion in 2050. By that year, nearly 8 in 10 of the world’s older population will live in the less developed regions.

The steady increase in human longevity represents one of the greatest transformations and challenges of our time. However, failure to keep pace with changing demographic trends will make it difficult to achieve a sustainable, secure and fulfilling future for people of all ages.

Older persons make wide-ranging contributions to economic and social development. However, discrimination and social exclusion persist. We must overcome this bias in order to ensure a socially and economically active, secure and healthy ageing population.

The post-2015 development agenda offers a historic opportunity for the United Nations and its Member States to strengthen the rights and role of older persons in society as an integral part of our commitment to “leave no one behind”.

On this International Day, I encourage Governments and people everywhere to ensure the full participation of older persons in society while protecting their rights and dignity.

* *** * United Nations


Forum :  International Day of Older Persons, 1 October.
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International Day of Older Persons 1 October - UN Secretary-General Message for 2012

Secretary-General's Message for 2012

Rapid population ageing and a steady increase in human longevity worldwide represent one of the greatest social, economic and political transformations of our time.  These demographic changes will affect every community, family and person.  They demand that we rethink how individuals live, work, plan and learn throughout their lifetimes, and that we re-invent how societies manage themselves.

As we embark on shaping the post-2015 United Nations development agenda, we must envision a new paradigm that aligns demographic ageing with economic and social growth and protects the human rights of older persons.  We are all — individually and collectively — responsible for the inclusion of older persons in society, whether through developing accessible transportation and communities, ensuring the availability of age-appropriate health care and social services, or providing an adequate social protection floor.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.  As the proportion of older persons in society grows, the bold vision it put forward — of building a society for all ages — is more relevant than ever.

Longevity is a public health achievement, not a social or economic liability.  On this International Day of Older Persons, let us pledge to ensure the well-being of older persons and to enlist their meaningful participation in society so we can all benefit from their knowledge and ability.

Ban Ki-moon