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A Teachable Moment: Making the World a Better Place for All Generations – United Nations Style
WHAT: On October 8, 2009, a cross section of the world’s policy makers and AGING activists will assemble at United Nations Headquarters at 10:00 AM, when the 2009 International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) will be joyfully observed. This occasion marks a two-decade effort by Member States of the United Nations to counter ageism, ignorance and lack of attention to the world’s fastest growing population group. This year’s theme is Aging Activism: A Global Tool to Create a Society for All Ages.
WHO: Hosted by the NGO Committee on Aging, one of the earliest accredited non-governmental organizations (NGO) to the UN, the event is co-sponsored by the Governments of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Spain and Uruguay, and the United Nations Department of Public Information, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the UN Population Fund.
This year’s observance of the International Day features UN ambassadors in dialogue with their colleagues in the public and private sectors on developing strategies and challenges to move closer to a global society that embraces all ages in the cycle of life.
WHY: Gaining allies and informing international leaders is an important part of IDOP’s mission. The specific challenge of today is to ensure that attention is paid to ensuring the rights of older persons within the context of the global change that is occurring economically, technologically and environmentally. Demographics show that the growing numbers of our elders, more than 700 million of the world's population of 6.7 billion is over age 60 and this number is expected to triple within the next few decades.
WHEN: Thursday October 8, 2009 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM at United Nations Headquarters. For details and to register online - www.ngocoa-ny.org 