United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Older Persons is annually observed across the globe on 1st October to recognise the elderlies as an asset to the society who are capable of contributing to the development process.The 1st October 2020 marks the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons.
The first International Day of Older Persons was observed and celebrated on 1st October 1991.
The theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2020 is “Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?” .
Focus of the 2020 aim:
- Educate the participants about the objectives of Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030).
- Create awareness on the special health needs of the older persons and their contribution to their own health and the functions of their society.
- Recognise and appreciate the role of healthcare workers in maintaining the health of older people, with special attention to the nursing profession.
- To reduce the health disparities between developing and developed countries, “Leave no one behind”.
- Increase the understanding on the impacts of COVID-19 on older persons and health care policy, planning and attitudes.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution A/RES/45/106 on 14th December 1990 which designated the 1st October of Every year as the International Day of Older Persons.
ii.The decision of the International day of Older persons was preceded by the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing adopted by the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing, which was also endorsed by the UNGA.
iii.The Second World Assembly on Ageing adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing to provide response to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing in the 21st century and to promote the development of a society of all ages.
Events 2020:
i.As a part of the events of International Day of Older Persons 2020, The NGO committee on Ageing, New York, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN in collaboration with the friends of the older persons has organised an virtual event on 1st October 2020.
ii.The event will involve numerous participants from NGOs, UN Member states, students and civil society.
Events 2020 – India:
i.On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons 2020, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare stated that marking the launch year of the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) various activities will be undertaken throughout 2020.
ii.The activities are aimed to focus on the issues related to the older persons and methods to ensure better delivery of services that utilise convergence mechanisms.
iii.The targets of the Decade of Healthy Ageing includes evolving convergence within national health programs and to promote inter sectoral coordination within ministries and departments.
iv.He also highlighted the efforts of the National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE) to deliver affordable and quality care service to the older persons at both primary and secondary levels.
Note:
i.By 2019 there were more than 703 million people who are aged 65 or above.
The Eastern and South Eastern Asia houses the largest population of older people with more than 261 million, followed by Europe and North America with over 200 million older people.
ii.The old people population is projected to double in the next 3 decades which will reach around 1.5 billion in 2050.
About United Nations:
Secretary General– António Guterres
Headquarters– New York, United States of America
