UN chief’s message for International Day of Older Persons

(October 1, 2010) The United Nations chief has urged that elderly people in society be provided services that give them a chance to live with dignity rather than mere survival. UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon made the call in a message on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons observed on Friday. The 20^th International Day of Older Persons had as its theme, "Older persons and the achievement of the MDGs". In his message the UN chief recalled the invaluable role that older person play in all societies - as leaders, caregivers and volunteers - yet they are also vulnerable to discrimination, abuse, neglect and violence. He observed that in many countries, older persons have benefited from reduced rates of poverty and hunger, improved access to medicines and health services, and greater education and work opportunities. Yet, he said, progress has been uneven, as it has been for the Millennium Development Goals overall in all countries and regions. He particularly cited the example of countries hit by the AIDS pandemic, where it is often grandparents who are left to care for AIDS orphans. In sub-Saharan Africa, he said, 20 per cent of rural women aged 60 and older are the sole supporters of their grandchildren. Ban said that these caregivers…desperately need social services, especially social pensions, so that they and their families have a chance for life beyond mere survival. With their number and proportion growing, predicted to reach 2 billion by 2050, Ban urged governments everywhere to institute the financial, legal and social protections that will lift millions of older persons out of poverty and ensure their rights to dignified, productive and healthy lives.