We're On the Way A little perceptible light is flickering at the end of the long tunnel
leading to a UN convention for the rights of older people. Since the 13th session of the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing in New York in April, an intercessional group (see photo) to identify the possible gaps in the protection of the human rights of older people and how best to address them has held its first meeting. Your Country? The decision to form the group was developed by an
informal cross-regional core group of nations. Check to see if your country was among them: Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Germany, Italy, Montenegro, Philippines, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay? Portugal and Brazil were selected to co-chair the process. The mandate is (1) to conduct open,
transparent, and inclusive informal intergovernmental meetings before the 14th OEWG session in 2024, (2) to collaborate with different stakeholders (3) to submit proposed intergovernmental negotiated recommendations to the 14th OEWG session regarding the existing international framework of the human rights of older persons and possible gaps, and options on how best to address them. The Gaps A dozen or so gaps are generally acknowledged, and a UN convention needs to address them urgently. The most glaring are listed below. They are drawn from the UN Human Rights Council’s Annual Report that stresses that the current international framework provides fragmented and inconsistent coverage of the human rights of older persons in law and practice and that there is a need to expeditiously develop and adopt a comprehensive human rights instrument on older
persons. Major Gaps include the need to: - Articulate and provide conceptual clarity on a human right to lifelong learning;
- Accelerate a shift from medical approaches that perceive older persons as mere beneficiaries of care and welfare towards considering older persons as rights holders;
- Address ageism, intersectional and
compounded forms of discrimination and denial of rights based on older age;
- Enable older persons’ full inclusion in society, including in the digital sphere;
- Promote a lifespan approach and mutual respect for human rights across all generations to strengthen intergenerational
solidarity;
- Indicate national human rights institutions and civil society organizations as consultative and monitoring bodies of the convention.
Let’s all raise our voices whenever and wherever we can. The
needs are urgent. You can, for example, right now, fill in the OHCHR’s questionnaire to help shape their strategy (See below). Moira
Allan
Co-Founder & International Coordinator
Pass It On Network Nigeria, represented by Issa Idowu of the Permanent Mission in New York, joins the Bureau of the UN’s Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing (OEWGA) - occupying the African Chair. This is likely to boost the interest of African states in the process. Nigeria, with Dr Emem Omokaro heading up the National
Senior Citizens Centers, is setting the pace for ageing policies in Africa. Find additional information here. |
75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The UN Human
Rights Office is undertaking a participatory process to define its strategic direction for the period of 2024-2027 and you are invited to participate. The strategic planning process will take place throughout 2023, culminating with the launch of The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Management Plan for 2024-2027 in early 2024. You are invited to provide input before JUNE
15 via an on-line questionnaire. GLOBAL 50/50 ONLINE CONVERSATION
What the World Needs Now is Economía AMABLE
Building a Life-Sustaining and
Fully Inclusive Economy Our June 50/50 Online Conversation on how "Economía AMABLE" and the power of love in action (amiabilities) may be used
to build a sustainable and inclusive society in ways that meet people's needs and respect their rights. Silvia Zweifel, who developed this approach, will guide us in exploring the significance of advocating for all human rights and amiabilities, and
how it can benefit everyone. Monday, 12 June
1pm EDT / 5pm GMT / 7pm CEST / 7pm SAST Find your local time. View Time Zone Converter here.
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If you missed our April 50/50,
check it out on
our PION YouTube Channel! A Deeper Dive into Human Rights for Older People We dedicated this session to expanding the stimulating conversation we started at our last 50/50. |
Every month Moira Allan, our co-founder and international coordinator, hosts an Open House for anyone who wants to find out more about our network. We offer a choice of two sessions to accommodate PION’s global outreach. |
Americas, Europe, Africa
Tuesday, 6 June
1pm EDT / 5pm GMT
7pm CEST / 7pm
SAST | Asia,
Australasia
Wednesday, 7 June
7am CEST / 10:30am IST
1pm SGT / 3pm AEST |
PION Intern - Marco
Kialanda Marco Kialanda is interning with Pass It On Network for two months. He is doing a master’s degree in sociology at University of Lorraine at Metz, under Prof. Jean-Philippe Viriot Durandal, head of the International Chair of Inclusive and Advanced Societies (SIAGE). The topic of his research is about
the social representations that the Portugues have about people from their former colonies Angola and Cape Verde. The study is a cross vision between sociology and post-colonial studies. With PION, Marco is exploring the links between Africa and Europe. "I am starting to understand the magnitude of the demographic challenges Africa is facing,” Marco says. |
PION Click-Ons to Pass-On |
Writing about emotional upheavals in our lives can improve physical and mental health. Select "Writing & Health" tab to read the article entitled Writing and Health:
Some Practical Advice, written by James W. Pennebaker or view the attached PDF. It is certainly helping me cope with the passing of a dear friend. ~Moira Allan |
In this episode, you'll discover: how to define sage-ing; how sage-ing influenced my leadership book; why my book is about
life as much as leadership; why wisdom is essential in leading one's best life. |
27-30
June
Bangkok, Thailand. The IFA 16th Global Conference on Ageing 23-24 August
Johannesburg, South Africa. Afrolongevity Summit on Improving Geroprotective Policy and Technology. 3-6 September
Israel, EURAG Council on Financial Security in Later Years 15-24 0ctober
Singapore and South Korea. PION/ACAP sponsored International Study Tour on Active Ageing – Leading-Edge
Strategies for an Ageing Society |
Advocating for the Rights of Older People
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