Saturday, October 1, 2011

TODAY IS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS, BUT WHO CARES?

It's disappointing to say the least that this day - International Day of Older Persons - will pass as in previous years, without any mention. No press reports, no celebratory events, no governmental initiatives to mark the significance of this day in Malaysia.

Elsewhere across the globe, from New Zealand to Canada, from Pakistan to Sudan, NGOs have organized a program of activities to honour the senior citizens of the country.

A bit of background on how this day came about.

The first World Assembly on Ageing held in 1982 adopted the International Plan of Action on Ageing. It was later endorsed by the United Nations. On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons. In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons.

Here's the full text of the speech given by UN Secretray-General Ban Ki-moon on 30 Sept 2011 to mark this year's International Day of Older Persons:

"Next year marks 10 years since the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. The theme of this year’s International Day of Older Persons, “Launch of Madrid Plus 10: The growing opportunities and challenges of global ageing”, reflects this upcoming milestone. This year we also commemorate 20 years since the adoption of the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. These basic principles – independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity – both enshrine the human rights of older persons and give us the objectives for which we strive.


"Nearly two-thirds of older persons live in developing countries, yet older persons are still largely excluded from the wider global, regional and national development agendas. At a time when the international community is preparing to take stock of sustainable development and is looking to forge a development agenda for the future, it is important that the needs and contributions of older persons become a bigger part of the picture. Older persons are vibrant and essential contributors to the development and stability of society, and more can and should be done to utilize their potential.


Over the last decade, there has been progress in the formulation of national plans of action related to ageing, including the emergence of non-contributory pensions in some developing countries. However, discrimination and social exclusion persist. These issues are a priority for the recently established General Assembly open-ended working group on ageing.

As we commemorate milestones in global development for older persons, let us recommit to the full implementation of the Madrid Plan of Action. In the current fiscal environment, we must be vigilant in ensuring that the provision of social protection, long-term care and access to public health for the elderly is not undermined. On this International Day of Older Persons, I call on governments and communities everywhere to provide more opportunities for their ageing populations."


Age Demands Action global campaign from HelpAge International on Vimeo.

3 comments:

mxvi said...

Who cares ? , yeah that's a good question . Who still remember this day for Old person ? It's a big laugh , some people didn't think of it they've focusedthemselve of working . nursing colleges

Mr Bojangles said...

Whichever way the world turns, the foll will remain true and give comfort to them ole geezers and food for thot for the ROTFLOL generation...

A college student challenged a senior citizen, saying it was impossible for their generation to understand his. “You grew up in a different world, actually in an almost primitive one” the student said. “The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, nuclear energy, computers, cell phones… and many more”.

After a brief silence, the geezer says, “You’re absolutely right, son! We didn’t have those things when we were young, so we invented them! Now, you arrogant little shit, what are you doing for the next generation?”

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