“The future we want: what older persons are saying”
By Terry Orr
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the
International Day of Older Persons, observed on 1 October:
“The global
community has reached a critical moment in our collective efforts to address
poverty and usher in a better future. The 2015 deadline for achieving the
Millennium Development Goals is fast approaching while discussions on shaping a
vision for development beyond that date are intensifying. In this effort,
we must address shifting demographics, especially the needs and concerns of the
world’s increasing number of older persons.”
“By 2050, the
number of older persons will be twice the number of children in developed countries,
and the number of older persons in developing countries is expected to double.
This trend will have profound effects on countries and individuals.”
“There is
broad recognition that population ageing presents both a significant
opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is to benefit from the many
contributions older persons make to society. The challenge is to act on
this understanding now through the adoption of policies that promote social
inclusion and intergenerational solidarity.”
“We often
hear people talk about revering older persons for their wisdom, but older
persons also want to have a voice. In our consultation process for the
post-2015 development agenda, the United Nations has heard from more than a
million people, including many older persons. They are calling for a
world where all have food, shelter, clean water and sanitation, and access to
basic health services and education. I have included these messages in my
vision for a transformative post-2015 development agenda, which is set out in
my report, “A Life of Dignity for All”.
