Mercy Global Concern - 2002
Building a Society For All Ages
Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid 2002
"We are in the midst of a silent revolution that extends
well beyond demographics, with major economic, cultural, psychological,
and spiritual implications."
Kofi Annan Secretary-General of the UN launching the International
Year of Older Persons 1st October 1998  A
‘ demographic agequake’, a new international population’,
such terms are used to portray the dramatic growth of the world’s
older population. The proportion of persons aged sixty and older
throughout the world is expected to more than double, from 10
to 22 per cent, between 2000 and 2050, at which time it will as
large as the proportion of children. The impact of rapid ageing
has repercussions in virtually all areas of life. The suddenness
of demographic change combined with alarming rates of poverty
and shrinking resources in developing countries underscores the
pressing need for policies to take into account this new situation
in the human family. In last decade, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has
had devastating but under reported impacts on older people’s
lives and on those who depend on them. There is now an urgent
need to research the effects of HIV/AIDS on older people as an
at-risk group and in their critical role as careers, and to support
them as key contributors to community survival.
Representing the Mercy International Association at the United Nations.
Preparatory Sessions
In preparation for the World Assembly on ageing to be held in
Madrid, Spain the following sessions will be held at the United
Nations Headquarters, New York City:
10-14 December 2001
First Preparatory Session:
25 February - March
1 2002 Second Preparatory Session:
World Assembly
8 - 12 April 2001: Second World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain
Alongside the World Assembly
there will be an NGO forum
From April 5th until April 10th 2002
Mercy Global Concern (MGC) invites interested Sisters of Mercy,
associates and colleagues to participate in this series of meetings.
Attending the preparatory session is desirable but not essential
for participation in the Assembly itself. Travel and accommodation
is the responsibility of the participants.
If interested, please contact
Sr. Deirdre Mullan Associate Director MGC
1646 2271878 (telephone)
1646 2271879 (fax)
Email: mercyun@aol.com
By December 1st for 1st Session
and
February 1st for second session or World Assembly.
Further information is available on the official website www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing
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