Older people in 50 countries will join together on Friday 1 October – the UN International Day of Older People – as part of Age Demands Action, our global campaign that champions older people’s rights and fights age discrimination.
Older people, campaigning groups and organisations will take part in national and local activities that push for improved policies and urge for recognition and support of older people’s vital contribution to society.
A new “Insights on Ageing” survey conducted by members of the HelpAge Global Network, the first global survey on perceptions of ageing, found the following results:
- 60% of people think older people are currently valued
- Over 90% expect to be valued in their own old age
- Around 85% would like to see their governments do something to make living in old age better.
Some campaign highlights
In Bangladesh, hundreds of older people, celebrities, students and activists will form a human chain and call for an increase the Old Age Allowance and an increase in facilities for older people in the health service.
In Sierra Leone, campaigners are requesting that the free medicare which is free for all children under five, and their mothers, since April, be extended to the most vulnerable older people over 65 years. They are also campaigning for scholarship schemes for children who are cared for by grandparents over 60 years old.
In Argentina, older people are calling for more age-friendly facilities in cities, including better training of bus drivers as they say older people are often given poor treatment on public transport.
In the Philippines, Age Demands Action activists will be meeting with politicians pushing for the Expanded Senior Citizens Act to be implemented as quickly as possible. This could benefit up to 1.2million citizens by providing a pension to the poorest older people in the country.
In Tanzania an ongoing campaign for improved access to healthcare and social pensions will culminate on 1 October with a meeting with the Prime Minister.
Other meetings with prime ministers, vice presidents or presidents are expected in Ethiopia, Slovenia and Uganda.
In Kyrgyzstan, older campaigners are calling on the government to recognise the increasing burden that older people face, due to high levels of economic migration. With much of the middle-generation working-age population moving away to work, older people are left behind to look after their grandchildren. They therefore want increased social pensions and more benefits so they can care for their grandchildren.
Older people want their fair share
This year is the 20th anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older People which this year focuses on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Richard Blewitt, Chief Executive of HelpAge International, says: “Despite some progresses in achieving various development goals over the last 10 years, older people remain among the poorest and most vulnerable groups in our society.
“Older people are not explicitly mentioned in any of the MDG targets or indicators to measure their progress. As a result most development policies and programmes focus their efforts on children, young people and the working age poor, lacking any understanding of the critical social, economic and caring contributions of older people.
“Older people getting their fair share of resources from development aid will mean their potential to contribute back to society can be fully realized”.
Celebrity support
Age Demands Action 2010 is being supported by figures such as internationally renowned musician Hugh Masekela, who said:
“Getting older doesn’t mean you’re worth any less than before. As an older man I’m still playing and recording music better than I’ve ever done.
“I strongly support HelpAge International’s Age Demands Action campaign.”