It’s time governments step up, show up and speak up for older people!

Help us to ensure the UN Open-ended working group on ageing does its job.

It’s been 13 years since the Open-ended Working Group on ageing (OEWG) was formed. In that time, babies have become teenagers, teens are now adults and millions have become older people.
But what has the OEWG achieved for them? Nothing.
The OEWG has still not fulfilled its mandate, despite being asked explicitly by the UN in 2012 to present “at the earliest possible date” the elements of a convention to protect the rights and dignity of older people.

The OEWG’s lack of action is shameful. And has to end.

The countdown begins

The OEWG meets this 3-6 April in New York. We must inform, engage and push our representatives to step up, show up and speak up for older people’s rights.

Here's how.

  • 1

    STEP UP - Give them the facts!

    Some government representatives still don’t understand why ageing is such an important issue. They need to know why a UN convention for older people is vital for everyone, young and old.
    Let’s give them the facts so they can step up.

  • 2

    SHOW UP - Make sure they attend the meetings.

    So often, our government representatives don’t even bother to turn up to the meetings leaving discussion rooms half empty.
    Not anymore. Tell your government representatives that we will be watching them and will name and shame those who fail to show up.

  • 3

    SPEAK UP - Urge your government to support a UN convention.

    After more than a decade, the OEWG has not made any significant progress towards a binding instrument.
    This has to stop. It is time for governments to speak up loud and clear in support of a UN convention.After more than a decade, the OEWG has not made any significant progress towards a binding instrument.
    This has to stop. It is time for governments to speak up loud and clear in support of a UN convention.

Find out what you can do

1. Share our reports

We’ve produced two new reports, anchored in the voice and lived experience of older people, showing how the lack of a UN convention violates their right to health and to being included in society.
Read them, send the links to your government representatives so they have the voices of older people front of mind!

2. Write to your Government 

Write to you Government officials to urge them to actively participate in OEWG13 and to support our call for a UN convention on the rights of older people.

3. Join the movement as we prepare for OEWG13

You are not alone! Civil society organisations are coming together to advocate for the rights of older people.
To have a strong voice, we’re working with more than 400 organisations as part of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People (GAROP).
Check GAROP’s website for regular updates and events.

Some handy extras

  • Checkout our FAIR Guidelines: These guidelines can help you prepare the right strategy to influence your government.
    They are organised as four simple “steps” towards a new convention.
  • Here’s a handy two pager on what we’re asking for and why. Give this to your government representatives.
  • If you have any questions or need some advice, please email Marijke De Pauw, HelpAge Global Rights Policy Adviser.

“There are even cases wherein an older person having asthma died waiting for the oxygen and nebulizer. Since we don’t have proper apparatus here, we had to first request the needed oxygen and nebulizer. It took too long, and the patient died.”

68-year-old woman, Philippines

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