DATE: 1 October 2021
TIME: 10:00–11:30 EDT

The United Nations International Day of Older Persons 2021 (#UNIDOP2021 theme “Digital Equity for All Ages” predicates the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.

#UNIDOP2021 provided a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue and serve as a call to action. #UNIDOP2021 adopted a person centered, human rights approach to ensure digital equity including adequate policies, access, digital literacy and safety for individuals of all ages.

This #UNIDOP2021 online event was presented by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) and the NGO Committee on Ageing in New York. Partnering events were hosted by the NGO Committees on Ageing in Geneva and Vienna.

Objectives of #UNIDOP2021:
 

• Ageism & Human Rights

To bring awareness of the importance of digital inclusion of older persons, while tackling stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination associated with digitalization taking into account sociocultural norms and the right to autonomy.
 

• Sustainable Development

To highlight policies to leverage digital technologies for full achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
 

• Access & Literacy

To address public and private interests, in the areas of availability, connectivity, design, affordability, capacity building, infrastructure, and innovation.
 

• Cybersecurity & Ethics

To explore the role of policies and legal frameworks to ensure privacy and safety of older persons in the digital world.
 

• Accountability

To highlight the need for a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons and an intersectional person-centered human rights approach for a society for all ages.