Global Action on Aging

Dear GAA Reader,

Exciting news for all of us who are or will be old:  The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 20, 2012, to begin the process toward defining the human rights of older persons--a process that will likely lead to adoption of a Convention or Treaty that requires UN Member States to insure  protection against abuse and discrimination for all older citizens.  In preparation for the vote, NGOs, such as Global Action on Aging  and many of our colleagues, called UN Missions and spoke with Third Committee delegates, asking for their support.  I discussed these issues with representatives from Arabic-speaking countries.  All treated me courteously and spelled out their worries about moving too quickly toward such a resolultion without ample time to study it carefully.  

Earlier this fall, El Salvador had introduced a resolution; it was revised several times to meet the objections voiced from other countries.  Interestingly, the United States and the European Union opposed the El Salvador resolution and lobbied the Member States to oppose the measure.   Nevertheless, it passed although a number of nations abstained.  Now NGOs are turning our efforts to engaging aging organizations in every part of the world to contact their government representatives and urge them to support such a measure.  Will you please be in touch with your National Aging Authority to ask for its support to assure the human rights of older person?  And what will happen next?   The UN will likely host another Open-Ended Working Group in summer 2013 to define the issues more clearly.  If you want more information or want to become involved in this process, please write to me at this Blog.  Or, write to s.paul@globalaging.org.

As our planet moves toward its shortest day in the north and the longest in south, Global Action on Aging wishes you a productive year in 2013, rich with blessings and opportunities to make the world more welcoming of older people wherever they may be.

Happy holidays to you and your loved ones,  Susanne Paul for Global Action on Aging

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