General Scenario for the whole series

After having successfully taken stock of the current scenario of ageing and the human rights of older persons through the first round of this Series, we will keep fostering knowledge, empowerment, and partnerships by focusing this year on accessibility and its impact at the individual and collective levels. In this regard, accessibility should not only be associated to persons with disabilities but with a wide spectrum of barriers that can affect different generations while ageing. Human dignity as the cornerstone for better societies is grounded on fair parameters for all; including, access to justice, labour markets, political participation, health and social care services, as well as cultural and leisure activities.

In our series, we view national, regional, and international standards, as well as public policies, programs, and other initiatives as key learning elements. In the same vein, we consider that heightening awareness of ICT/digital accessibility implementation from design is relevant to better understand how older persons can benefit from digital products and services as means to actively participate in political, cultural, and socio-economic activities. By involving diverse stakeholders as co-sponsors, experts, speakers, and attendees, we aim to enhance discussions and build stronger synergies towards achieving our common goal.

The human rights of older persons and frontier issues, such as the demographic worldwide scenario, gender, human mobility, digital divide, and climate change, will continue as the heart of our discussions. In this endeavor, UNITAR and its International Training Centers for Authorities and Leaders -CIFAL Global Network-, UNDESA, UNFPA, IOM, UNWOMEN, UNHCR, WHO, OHCHR, ITU and ILO; together with the Group of Friends of the Human Rights of Older Persons UN Geneva; the Global Initiative on Ageing Foundation, GIA; the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuses; the International Longevity Centre; and the NGO Committee on Ageing Geneva; and the Harvard Law School Project on Disability, have joined efforts to put together these initiatives as a contribution to inclusive learning in the framework of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing.

Background of the fourth event

Throughout the years different dynamics in access to health and social care services have impacted the ageing process in all regions around the world. Although opportunities and challenges vary depending on the contexts, there are common aspects to take care from the human rights-based approach, towards gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and age-sensitive systems.

Everyone has the human right to health and social protection. Among other implications, its enjoyment allows autonomous and independent lives, as the cornerstone of better societies for all where each person has a role to play.

In this regard, access to people for this kind of services, should not be undervalued to any discriminatory preconception such as age, gender, or migratory status, as in particular learned from fortuitous events or unforeseen circumstances such as COVID 19 where older persons faced different challenges in two ways, as caregivers, and as relegated persons in accessing to health and cares services for them.

Paving the way through knowledge on this thematic towards stronger systems, interalia, requires raising awareness on the thematic as a mean of empowering beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders involved.

This fourth event, will take place on Wednesday, at 09:30 NY/ 15:30 CET, on the 25th of October, 2023.