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Mercy Global Concern - 2002
International Strategy for Action on Ageing
2002
In preparation for the Second World Assembly on
Ageing I am providing a summary of the document issued by the
Commission for Social Development New York, 10 - 12 December 2002.
The 2002 International Strategy for Action on Ageing
responds to opportunities and challenges of individual and population
ageing in the twenty-first century. The ultimate goal of the Strategy
is to promote the development of a society for all ages.
Humankind is ageing. Global society is already older
than ever before in human history. The increase is most marked
in developing countries where the older population is expected
to quadruple during the next 50 years.
Concerted action is therefore required in order
to transform the opportunities and the quality of life of men
and women as they age and to ensure the sustainability of their
support systems, thus building the foundation for a society for
all ages.When ageing is embraced as an achievement, the reliance
on human skills, experience and resources of the higher age groups
is naturally recognized as an asset in the growth of mature, fully
integrated, humane societies.
The International Strategy for Action on Ageing
2002 calls for changes in attitudes, in national and international
policies and in community, corporate and other organizational
practices so that the enormous potential of ageing in the twenty-first
century may be fulfilled. The aim of the International Strategy
is to ensure that people everywhere are able to age with security
and dignity and to continue to participate in their societies
with full rights.
The concept of a society for all ages, which was
developed as the theme for the 1999 International Year of Older
Persons, contained four dimensions: Individual lifelong development;
multigenerational relationships; the interrelationship between
population ageing and development; and the situation of older
persons.
There are nine central themes running through the
International Strategy for Action on Ageing. These are:
- The achievement of secure ageing, which involves reaffirming
the goal of eradicating poverty in old age.
- Empowerment of older persons to fully and effectively participate
in the social, economic and political lives of their societies,
including through income-generating and voluntary work.
- Provision of opportunities for individual development, self-fulfilment
and well being throughout life as well as in late life, through,
for example access to life-long learning.
- Guaranteeing the economic, social and cultural rights of older
persons as well as their social and political rights, including
the elimination of all forms of discrimination on the bases
of age.
- Commitment to gender equality in older persons through the
elimination of gender-based discrimination, as well as all other
forms of discrimination.
- Recognition of the crucial importance of intergenerational
interdependence, solidarity and reciprocity for social development.
- Provision of health care and support for older people as needed.
- Facilitating partnerships between all levels of government,civil
society, the private sector and older persons themselves in
translating the International Strategy into practical action.
- Harnessing of scientific research and expertise to focus on
the individual, social and health implications of ageing, in
particular within developing countries.
One area which has not emerged is the whole area
of spirituality and the older person which hopefully will be addressed
at the upcoming preparation meetings.
Deirdre Mullan
Associate Director
Mercy Global Concern UN
1646 2271878 (telephone)
1646 2271879 (fax)
Email: mercyun@aol.com
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