Today, on the International Day of Older Persons,
communities around the world join to pause and reflect upon the contributions
of older people globally and also to encourage all nations to thoughtfully
consider and address the challenges faced by older people.
The holiday is celebrated by raising awareness about
issues affecting the elderly, such as senescence and elder abuse. It is also a
day to appreciate the contributions that older people make to society.
This day has been recognized annually since 1990, when the
United Nations first designated October 1st as the International Day of Older
Persons. In the intervening 28 years, the world’s population demographics have
changed dramatically.
The share of the world’s population that is 60 years or
older has grown dramatically, and continues to do so. Nearly a billion people
living today are 60 or older, and by 2050, there will be more than 2
billion older adults in the world.
Despite their growing ranks, older adults are far too
frequently victims of discrimination, exploitation, abuse, and neglect. Older
adults commonly face discrimination in work settings, healthcare environments,
and settings of law and justice.
Discrimination against older persons is unique, because when
you discriminate against an older person, you are simply discriminating against
your future self. We all aim to reach a healthy old age, and yet we allow
ageist discrimination to persist.
The theme of the 2019 edition is aligned with the
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 and will focus on pathways of coping
with existing and preventing future old age inequality.
This day is an important time to remind governments about
their pledges to work towards the #SustainableDevelopmentGoals of helping,
among other things, to end hunger and poverty for older persons and people of
all ages.
SDG 10 sets to reduce inequality within and among countries
and aims to “ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome,”
including through measures to eliminate discrimination, and to “empower and
promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of
age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other
status.”
We must all work together: in our communities, across nations,
and in partnership with other countries, to promote policies that recognize and
make use of the experience and capabilities of this growing population. This is
particularly true as people are living longer and staying healthier for more of
those years
On this year’s International Day of Older Persons, and every
day going forward, let’s make a committed effort to ensure that every person
has the opportunity fully to participate in their communities, throughout their
lives.
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