“Each older person has the right to age with certainty and access to opportunities that enrich their lives“Said one of the key organizers of the International Day of Elderly, Arjanita Elezaj.
“These are not privileges, they are human rights“He said at a meeting at the UN headquarters to commemorate the day, where key issues such as increasing opportunities for older people participating in civic and cultural life, together with medical care and housing.
This year’s issue stressed that older people should receive an agency to play an active role in promoting local and global action, aimed at amplifying their voice in the formulation of policies and an effort to build more inclusive societies.
“The elderly lead a lifetime of experiences lived, residence and service,” said Mrs. Elezaj. “They are the architects of the communities, movements and institutions that continue to guide us today. However, too often, their voices are not heard.”
The world is getting old
The number of people 60 years or older has more than duplicated at 1.2 billion in the last three decades and is projected to reach 2,100 million by 2050according to a mission statement by the organizers of the event in New York.
With the increase in global life expectancy, the number of people of 80 years or more is expected to exceed the number of babies in the mid -2030.
“We must respond with forecast and action. That means ensuring that the rights of older people are completely respected, their dignity confirmed and their recognized contributions,” said UN secretary, António Guterres in his message for the day.
‘Urgency’ for a movement included by age
With a smile and an anecdote, Professor and Dean Emeritus of the School of Social Work of Columbia, Jeanette Takamura, reminded the audience that aging is a universal phenomenon.
“When I spent the last time on this podium, my hair was dark brown and it was a higher inch,” he said.
Now, 26 years later, “I am obviously a shorter inch with silver hair,” he added.
In his speech, he emphasized the “urgency of greater scope and multigenerational inclusion” to boost a global social movement included and included by age.
She stressed that social movements are more shocking when they adopt a broad spectrum and emphasized the need for younger and older generations to learn from each other.
“The basis for a social movement has been established by all past international years,” he praised.
“Let’s do wisdom, be agents of social change and expand our store to welcome the multiple generations of younger people we need as partners and cookers.“