To complement the release of a new report, Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and a Challenge, UNFPA and HelpAge International are creating a list of 60 inspiring and influential older people over 60, and we need your help.

60 over 60: A call for nominations of outstanding older people

To complement the release of a new report, Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and a Challenge, UNFPA and HelpAge International are creating a list of 60 inspiring and influential older people over 60, and we need your help.

Published

By Janet Jensen

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Help us showcase inspiring people over 60

Perceptions of the world’s “age burden” are outdated.
Older people can be athletes, statesmen, innovators, entrepreneurs, caregivers, activists and much more.
They can teach, inspire, influence, lead, innovate and create.

As longevity increases and health improves, older people can contribute more to society than ever before.
And their contributions will become increasingly important as the world grows older – a phenomenon that is happening in nearly every country and every region.

Here are just a few examples:

  • 106-year-old Saburo Schohi from Japan is the oldest person to travel around the world using public transport.
  • 78-year-old Mama Rhoda from Kenya is an Age Demands Action campaigner and award-winning community worker. She represents her fellow older Kenyans at Government level.
  • And of course, 94-year-old Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa, Nobel Peace Laureate, and founder of the Elders – a group of global leaders working together for peace and human rights.

To complement the release of a new report, “Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and a Challenge”, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and HelpAge are creating a list of 60 inspiring and influential older people over 60, and we need your help.

Make your nominations for 60 over 60 now!

You can nominate yourself, or an older person you admire, beginning today. We are looking for a diverse group representing many nationalities and ages.

There are three ways you can nominate your inspiring older person for the 60 over 60 list:

  • Visit UNFPA’s 7 Billion Actions platform to submit a photo and short story, telling us in 150 words or less about the nominee’s accomplishments and qualities.
  • Post an image to the UNFPA or HelpAge’s Facebook wall with a short text of 100 words or less.
  • Share a tweet of 140 characters or less, using the #60over60 hashtag

Nominations will close in December 2012 and the final list will be revealed in January 2013.

All qualifying nominees will be posted on the 60 over 60 webpage of the 7 Billion Actions platform.

An expert panel of respected public figures working with older people, or older people themselves, will narrow the list down to 60 people.

The panel’s selections will be announced in December and the 60 over 60 list will be featured online and in the media.