The NGO Committee on Ageing celebrated the International Day of Older Persons, launching the ten year anniversary of the Second World Assembly on Ageing on Thursday, October 6th, 2011.

The Second World Assembly on Ageing focused on incorporating the rapidly-growing elderly population into modern society through advocacy and social inclusion.

The NGO Committee on Ageing honored ten individuals for their passionate commitment to shaping society in positive way for the ageing population and future generations.

The 2011 honorees are: Julia Alvarez, former Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations; Kofi Annan, Secretary General during the UN Second World Assembly on Ageing; The Government of Argentina; Dr. Mohini Giri, Chairperson for the National Council of Older Persons in India; Baroness Sally Greengross, Co-chair of the Alliance for Health & the Future and Executive Chair of the International Longevity Centre - UK; Dr. Alexandre Kalache, Advisor to the Brazilian Government; Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa and Human Rights Activist; Dr. Maria Isabel Rodríguez, First Female Minister of Health in El Salvador; Dr. Alexandre Sidorenko, Former Head of the UN Programme on Ageing; and Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate.