DATE: 30 June 2022 (Thursday)
TIME: 9:30 - 11:10 EDT (New York) / 15:30 - 17:10 CEST (Geneva)

Ageing and the human rights of older persons have been addressed for many decades in the international arena, mainly at the United Nations General Assembly and its Third Committee, together with the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing in New York. Likewise, it is part of the topics covered by the United Nations Human Rights Council and its Universal Periodic Review. Many different stakeholders have been involved in this endeavor, in particular States, UN agencies, National Human Rights Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations.

In these scenarios, some core achievements have been made, such as the the UN Principles for older persons (1991), the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002), the creation of the Open-Ended Working Group for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons (2010), the creation of the mandate for the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons (2013), and the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030). Moreover, several Resolutions, panels, reports, and other initiatives on the rights of this group have been developed.

In addition, the Group of Friends of Older Persons in New York and the Group of Friends of the Human Rights of Older Persons in Geneva were formed as the result of the commitment by groups of States in advancing on this topic.

In this regard, this second event will be the opportunity to exchange information from New York and Geneva on the status, developments, and possibilities to complement and align further efforts.

Background to the Virtual Roundtable Series

Throughout the years, different stakeholders have struggled for the effective promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons. As a result, landmark steps have been taken at international level to strengthen the protection of this group, including the UN Principles for older persons (1991), the adoption of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002, the creation of the Open-Ended Working Group for the purpose of strengthening the protection of the human rights of older persons (2010), the creation of the mandate for the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons (2013), and the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030), as well as the adoption of specific Resolutions in the framework of the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council.

While remarkable progresses in particular mechanisms, programs, projects, plans and campaigns have been developed to implement and follow up the commitments undertaken at local, national, regional, and international level, several challenges remain towards the full enjoyment of the rights of older persons.

Problems of ageism, together with gender and other causes of discrimination, as well as the intergenerational gap have increased due to different frontier issues, in particular new technologies, human mobility, and climate change.

In addition, there are still pending tasks to ensure the dignity and human rights of this group, particularly in accessing health and long-term care, life-long learning, the labour market as well as the prevention of abuse and violence.

In this regard, an integral approach is needed to maximize synergies and identify interlinkages across existing and future initiatives. A better understanding of missing elements can be useful to provide the necessary attention, resources, information, options for integration, and services for older persons, including those who are migrants or refugees. The experience coming from ageing place elderly people in a strategic position for supporting this endeavor.

In order to support this aspiration, UNITAR and its 24 International Training Centers for Authorities and Leaders, CIFAL Global Network, UNDESA, UNFPA, IOM, UNWOMEN, UNHCR, WHO, ITU, and OHCHR together with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse; the International Longevity Centre; and the Global Initiative on Ageing Foundation, GIA, have joined efforts to put together these Virtual Roundtable Series as a contribution to inclusive learning through enriching dialogues with and different stakeholders.

The first event will take place on the 26th of May, the 2nd one in June, the third one in September, the fourth one in October and the fifth one in December. Each event will take max 1 hour and 40 minutes.