older persons

United Nations International Day of Older Persons (IDOP2022)–Commemoration in Vienna

Hybrid Commemoration of the UN International Day of Older Persons
3 October 2022 at 13:30 (CEST)
REGISTER HERE.
In 1990, the United Nations’ General Assembly voted to establish October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons [IDOP] (GA Res. 45/106). Each year, the Vienna-based NGO Committee on Ageing organises a commemoration event in early October.
This year’s Vienna event will be celebrated in the afternoon of Monday, 3 October 2022 starting at 13:30, in the main hall of the ÖJAB-Haus (Untere Augartenstrasse 31, 1020 Wien).
The UN-wide general theme of the upcoming IDOP commemoration is “The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women”. You and your colleagues may also register to attend in person. However, those wishing to attend via online are kindly asked to register via this Zoom link.
The event starts at 13:30 hours and finishes at 16:00 hours, after which refreshments will be served. There is an opportunity to follow the parallel IDOP event at UN headquarters which starts at 10:00 hours New York time (16:00 hours Vienna time) via a large TV screen at the OJAB-Haus.
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CoNGO NotesThe NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna is a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org.  For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

This year’s observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) at 1:30pm (NYC time) on June 15 coincides with the fourth review of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Ministerial Conference on Ageing in Rome, Italy. While there will be an in-person WEAAD observance, we are pleased to invite everyone to participate virtually.

Details and registration hereWorld Elder Abuse Awareness Day

In preparation for the event, this month the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY participated in the review and appraisal cycle of MIPAA in Rome. A new preamble paragraph has been added to recall the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, and the convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, among other treaties and covenants. The fact remains that older persons remain invisible and unprotected. The pandemic’s excessive toll on older persons has documented that human rights of older persons are not being protected. We must continue to advocate for a legally binding document to protect the human rights of all older persons.

Please note: The UN International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) will be held once again in person at the UN (and live webcast). The exact observance date is pending due to space availability at the UN. The NGO Committee on Ageing-NY is collaborating on the theme with its counterparts in Geneva and Vienna on addressing older women and issues of climate change, pandemic and other issues, but from the perspective of the resilience and contributions of older women. Robin Fenley is chairing this year’s observance.

Note: The new chair of the Vienna Committee on Ageing is Shantu Watt and in Geneva, the new chair is Kelly Fitzgerald.

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CoNGO Notes: The NGO Committee on Ageing-NY is a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org

Women Working Towards Later Life: Expectations and Inspirations

Register Here: https://bit.ly/NGO_CSW66_Reg

Preparing for longevity is important for everyone, but particularly women—who not only live longer than men, but also face unique challenges throughout life. Economic empowerment of women and girls have come a long way, but when it comes to older age, there is still a trail left to blaze. This interactive event will tackle how today’s older women turn longevity into an asset and opportunity and inspire how younger women can take control of their future. It will feature ILC Global Alliance’s work on life-course, intergenerational approach to gender equality.

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CoNGO Notes: For information about collaborative work of NGOs on the issues above and related matters, visit the substantive committees related to CoNGO. Visit here for specific information about the NGO Committee on Ageing Vienna and the NGO Committee on Ageing in New York. For information about the event organizer, visit ILC.

Lessons and Actions From the 11th Session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing

IFA Global Cafe: In Conversation with Ms. Margaret Gillis “The Lessons and Actions From the 11th Session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing”

As part of the 11th Session of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing, the important side-event entitled “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Human Rights of Older Persons: An International Dialogue will unite UN officials and global leaders in the fields of ageing and beyond to address the need for a UN Convention on the rights of older peoples.

As an award-winning executive and innovative leader of the ILC Canada, Ms Gillis has contributed to a range of issues affecting all ages through a human rights lens. The IFA would be grateful to have Ms Gillis discuss how to strengthen the protection of the human rights of older peoples post-OEWG.

This Global Cafe takes place at 07:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday 9 April 2021 (additional time zones below):

Geneva, Switzerland: 12:00
Lagos, Nigeria: 12:00
New Delhi, India: 16:30
Perth, Australia: 19:00

This Global Cafe will be recorded and streamed live on Facebook. Should you be unable to participate, a recording will be available on the IFA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/intfedageing/ and resources will be available at: https://ifa.ngo/ifa-virtual-town-hall-resources/

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-New York, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org.

The Critical Roles of Geriatric Nursing and a Focus on Health Education in Improving Future Care of Older People

IFA Global Cafe: In Conversation with Dr. Tara A. Cortes “The critical roles of geriatric nursing, and how professionals need to focus on education of health to improve the future care of older people”

The current COVID-19 pandemic calls out the need for significant changes in both the systems and delivery of health and social care. In both traditional and nontraditional settings, models that bring together advanced practice nurses and physicians creates real opportunity for change in the policy and practice in geriatric care.

Better healthcare, better outcomes and lower cost can best be achieved by allowing all professionals to function to their full scope of practice. It is critical to bring the voice of nursing to a different forum to allow leaders to disseminate messages, increase collaboration, and further enhance discipline.

This Global Cafe takes place at 07:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday 2 April 2021 (additional time zones below):

Geneva, Switzerland: 12:00
Lagos, Nigeria: 12:00
New Delhi, India: 16:30
Perth, Australia: 19:00

Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMvceigpzstH9HAnOu8Y-1X4ipHXWRjgXI3

This Global Cafe will be recorded and streamed live on Facebook. Should you be unable to participate, a recording will be available on the IFA Facebook page at facebook.com/intfedageing and resources will be available at: ifa.ngo/ifa-virtual-town-hall-resources.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

Access to Justice at the Intersection of Disability and Older Age: A Moderated Discussion

Access to Justice at the Intersection of Disability and Older Age

This event includes a dynamic high-level moderated discussion between two UN experts, the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older Persons, Ms. Claudia Mahler, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Gerard Quinn. Time will also be devoted to Q & A with registrants on Zoom.

Access to justice is a basic principle of the rule of law: a guarantee for people to exercise their rights, and hold perpetrators and decision-makers accountable. However, both older persons with or without disabilities, and persons with disabilities regardless of their age, are disproportionately impacted by abuses to their right to access to justice.

Register here!

Virtual Format Accessibility: The International Disability Alliance will support accessibility and inclusion of participants by providing International Sign (IS) and communication access real-time translation (CART).

Contact: Erin Hardin ehardin@ida-secretariat.org

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

Global Alliance for the Rights of Older Persons’ workshop for the 11th Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing session (OEWG11)

The Global Alliance for the Rights of Older Persons (GAROP) and the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY are pleased to invite you to a workshop for the 11th virtual Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing session (OEWG11) on Thursday, March 25, 2021 – 7:00 – 9:00 EST (12:00-14:00 CET)

This preparatory event will be hosted with support by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA).

Objectives of the meeting:

  • To build a common understanding of the current status of the OEWG process
  • To discuss our shared goals for the outcomes of OEWG11
  • To agree on collective action that NGOs can take throughout the week

Working language: The workshop will be run in English and there will be no interpretation provided. We are planning to have some breakout sessions and chat information accommodate French and Spanish speakers during the workshop.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrcOqurDgqGtYpv8a1l9hmk3UpeWbUaen6

Draft Programme:

Welcome and opening remarks

  • Acknowledgements – Dr. Kiran Rabheru (Chair, GAROP) & Dr. Cynthia Stuen (Chair, NGO COA-NY)
  • Opening remarks – Ambassador Squeff, Chair of the OEWG

Scene-setting and connecting

  • Updates about the session (Amal Abou Rafeh, UNDESA)
  • Q&A

Developments since OEWG10

  • Intersessional events/outcomes
  • COVID-19 and political momentum

Breakout rooms: English / French / Spanish

Preparing our strategy for participation in OEWG11

  • Expectations and objectives for the session
  • Ways in which civil society can participate and have impact:
    • Visibility
      • Age With Rights and social media
      • Side events
    • Reviewing the timetable for the week ahead

Contacts: Susan Somers, NGO Committee on Ageing NY: sbsomers5@aol.com and/or Ellen Graham, GAROP Coordinator: ellen.graham@rightsofolderpeople.org

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com.

NGO Committee on Ageing-NY: Making the Case for a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

The NGO Committee on Ageing-NY draws attention to its upcoming program meeting:

The meeting will provide a status report on the work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and will discuss the meaning of an international legal instrument (a convention) for the rights of older persons, how we can advocate for a convention – what do we say and how do we say it. REGISTRATION is required.

Program:

Welcome and announcements: Dr. Cynthia Stuen, Chair of NGO Committee on Ageing

  • Moderator: Ms. Frances Zainoeddin, Vice-Chair, NGO COA

Brief overview and update of work of the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing: What does a convention/international legal instrument mean, in the UN context? What is its expected impact?

  • Ms. Susan Somers, President, International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse

It’s About Rights! Finding opportunities to make a case for older people’s rights and a UN convention during COVID-19 (see link to HelpAge Toolkit – helpage.org/what-we-do/un-convention/):

  • Ms. Bridget Sleap, Senior Rights Policy Adviser, HelpAge International

Building a case for a UN convention – how to frame messages

  • Ms. Laura Pares, Communications Adviser, HelpAge International

Q & A

Closing Remarks

  • Dr. Sandra Timmermann, International Federation on Ageing

Thanks to International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse for hosting this Zoom meeting. If there are any questions or problems with registration contact Susan at sbsomers5@gmail.com

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com.

COVID-19 & Older People Virtual Town Hall Series

As the world reflects on the impact that COVID-19 has had on older people in the context of the Decade of Healthy Ageing, advocating for the rights of older persons is more important than ever before. Leadership and solidarity of Member States and civil society at the UN OEWGA (March 29 – 1 April 2021) toward a common agenda and roadmap for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older People is urgently needed.

This town hall takes place at 07:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday 8 January 2021 (additional time zones below):

Geneva, Switzerland: 13:00
Lagos, Nigeria: 13:00
New Delhi, India: 17:30
Perth, Australia: 20:00

Register here!

This town hall will be recorded and streamed live on Facebook. Should you be unable to participate, a recording will be available on the IFA Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/intfedageing/ and resources will be available at: https://ifa.ngo/ifa-virtual-town-hall-resources/

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-New York, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org.

{Virtual Town Hall} Paving the Way to OEWGA11 in Conversation with Experts

REGISTER to IFA: press here

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit  ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org

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