The 23rd Anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons:
“The Future We Want – What Older Persons Are Saying”
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Venue: UN ECOSOC Chamber
Co-Chairs: Katherine Kline , Mary Covington
Programme:
Introduction of Programme: Ms. Daniela Bas, Director, Division of Social Policy and Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Message from H.E. John William Ashe, President of 68th Session of the UN General Assembly
Message from H.E. Maria Cristina Perceval, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations.
Message from Mr. James Collins, Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing/New York Gubernatorial Message and Mayoral Proclamation
Keynote Address:
Ms. Shireen Said, Policy Advisor, Human Rights, Democratic Government Group, Bureau of Development Policy, UN Development Programme, “The Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda and What it Means to Older Persons”
Panel on the Global Voices of Ageing:
Moderator: Ms. Rosemary Lane, Senior Social Affairs Officer and UN Focal Point on Ageing, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Panelists:
Mr. Paul Ladd, Head of Team and Lead Advisor, UN Development Programme on Post-2015
H.E. Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations
Ms. Mary Turok, Vice Chair, Western Cape Older Persons Forum (South Africa)
Mr. Mahbub Kamal, Member, National Federation of Older People (Bangladesh)
Mr. Shafiq Bhuiyan, Interpreter, HelpAge International
October 1st is dedicated to commemorating and celebrating the International Day of Older Persons. The purpose of the IDOP is to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities of population ageing around the world. The event gathers international experts that present the latest research on the status of older persons in regards to health, financial security and poverty. In addition, Ambassadors from the United Nations, representatives from nongovernmental organizations, community leaders, researchers and policymakers attend the IDOP to make their voices heard and learn of best practices and policies that improve the lives and dignity of older persons.
Past celebrations of the International Day of Older Persons can be reviewed here.