OUR MISSION

UNITAR and its CIFAL Global Network, UNDESA, UNFPA, IOM, UNWOMEN, UNHCR, WHO, ITU and OHCHR, together with the Groups of States Friends of Older Persons in New York and Geneva, respectively, INPEA, ILC; and GIA, have joined efforts to put together these Virtual Roundtable Series as a contribution to inclusive learning through enriching dialogues with different stakeholders

BACKGROUND

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 the 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 to strengthen 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, programmes, projects, plans and campaigns have been developed to implement and follow up the commitments undertaken at a 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 places elderly people in a strategic position for supporting this endeavour.

MAINSTREAMING KNOWLEDGE ON AGEING Virtual Roundtable Series

UNITAR celebrates the outcome of this series as a multi-stakeholder effort together with its CIFAL Global Network, UNDESA, UNFPA, IOM, UNWOMEN, UNHCR, WHO, ITU and OHCHR, together with the Groups of States Friends of Older Persons in New York and Geneva, respectively, the INPEA, ILC; and GIA.

The recognition of this series as one of the achievements, under the pillar of partnerships linked to the Decade in the framework of the UN Inter-Agency Group on Ageing (IAGA) in 2022, represents a motivation to keep complimenting forces towards strengthening the capacity building.

1st Virtual Roundtable “The Human Rights of Older Persons and Frontier Issues: Building Capacities for Effective Protection from Multilateral Scenarios”

UNITAR

On Thursday, at 09:00 NY/ 15:00 CET, on the 26th of May, 2022, some UN entities shared some information from their respective fields on existing initiatives and standards on the demographic worldwide scenario, gender data, human mobility, digital divide, and climate change as frontier issues to the rights of older persons. This space is envisaged as an opportunity to learn from ongoing efforts coming from multilateral scenarios, as well as the feasibility of its development. 

To view the recording of this event on our dedicated YouTube channel, kindly click here.

2nd Virtual Roundtable “Two worlds, same goal: Ongoing efforts at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council for the rights of older persons”

UNITAR

The second event which took place on Thursday, at 09:30 NY/ 15:30 CET, on the 30th of June, 2022, has been an opportunity to exchange information from NY and Geneva on the status, developments, and possibilities to complement and align further efforts. 

To view the recording of this event on our dedicated YouTube channel, kindly click here.

3rd Virtual Roundtable “From Engagement to Action in the protection and participation of older persons: Good practices and challenges in the implementation of the recommendations accepted by States in revision mechanisms/ Conventions”

UNITAR

Taking place on Thursday, at 09:30 NY/ 15:30 CET, on the 13th of October, 2022, this event has been an opportunity to learn from some good practices at a local and national level, as well as the potential of some mechanisms and initiatives towards effective practices to promote active, free, and meaningful participation of older persons as well as their protection. 

To view the recording of this event on our dedicated YouTube channel, kindly click here.

4th Virtual Roundtable “Voices from the ground: Advocacy and action for the protection and participation of older persons”

UNITAR

As an opportunity to learn from the experience of different profiles who shared some of their good practices and challenges for the protection and participation of older persons, this event took place on Friday, at 09:30 NY/ 15:30 CET, 18th of November, 2022.   

To view the recording of this event on our dedicated YouTube channel, kindly click here.

5th Virtual Roundtable “UN in the field: Empowerment and alignment in the work to strengthen protection and participation of older persons”

UNITAR

On Tuesday, at 09:30 NY/ 15:30 CET, on the 6th of December, 2022, this event brought together the experience from UN entities in the field from different perspectives, including humanitarian efforts, to support the implementation of the commitments assumed by States related to older persons, as well as to different stakeholders working towards the same goal. 

To view the recording of this event on our dedicated YouTube channel, kindly click here

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